Ultimate Guide to Hiking with the Apple Watch (Ultra)

The Apple Watch Ultra is a powerful companion for hikers, offering robust features to enhance both the workout experience and navigation, as well as ensure safety. In this guide, we will break down how to make the most of the Apple Watch {Ultra)’s features during a hike. From maximizing battery life with low power mode to using the compass to trace your steps back, this guide will prepare you for a well-supported, tech-enabled outdoor adventure.

1. Using the Workout App for Hiking

Smart Stack and Action Button for Workout Control

To make controlling your workout easier while hiking, you can add the Apple Watch Workout app to the Smart Stack. The Smart Stack lets you quickly access apps by swiping through your watch face. Alternatively, for even quicker access, you can assign the Workout app to the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra.

To add the Workout App to the Smart Stack, swipe up on the Watch screen. The first widget that appears is the pinned widgets bar. It shows three widgets, or a plus sign if the pinned location isn’t assigned yet. Tap and hold one of the three locations and select the Workout app to assign that location to workouts. With this, you can quickly start a workout by swiping up and selecting the Workout app.

By pressing the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra, you can trigger a variety of functions. You can customize the button to start or stop your workout. This gives you control without needing to navigate through the watch’s interface. You can assign the action from the Watch app on the iPhone. In the Watch app, go to Action Button (see left screen below). Then in the next screen (right), select Workout as action, Workout as App and Hiking as First Press.

When using the action button to start a hike, then you can use this button also during your hike. Each pass during the hike will mark a segment within your hike.

Swipe right to see a menu where you can pause or stop a hike.

Tip: you may see a 3-second countdown when you start a hike. If you want to skip it, simply tap on the countdown number during the countdown.

Long press

If you use the Action Button for other actions, there is a way to quickly switch between assigned actions to the Action Button. Press the Action Button for two seconds and a menu appears on the Apple Watch Ultra where you can select the action you wish to assign to the Action Button. My recommendation would be to minimize the list so that flipping between the available options is quicker. The figure below shows what I use. The list can be accessed from the Action Button menu of the Watch app. Note that if ‘Shortcut’ is one of the options, you will have to set which shortcut is to be called, in the Action Button menu .

Modifying Workout Screens

The Apple Watch Ultra lets you modify your workout screens to show exactly the data you need during your hike. Whether it’s elevation, heart rate, distance, or duration, you can customize the layout to ensure the most important metrics are available at a glance. This can be done in the Watch app on your iPhone by selecting your hiking workout and adjusting the displayed metrics. Click on the three dots next to the app, then scroll down to the Preferences menu, tap it, and tap on Workout Views. There are several screens that you can include. I have the Elevation screen included for example. In the first screen (‘Metrics’) you can change the parameters you would like to see. Click on the pencil on the top right, and by clicking on a metric you can change it. I prefer, for example, average pace over current pace, heart Rate and elevation gained.

During your hike, use the Digital Crown to scroll through the different Workout Screens.

If you find that you are accidentally touching the screen during your hike and starting unwanted features, then you can switch off the screen. Open the Control Center using the side button. Tap the water icon. This is called waterlock mode. The screen is now unresponsive to touch. Press and hold the Digital Crown for a moment to switch waterlock mode off again.

Using Haptics During Hiking Workouts

For hikers who like to keep their focus on the trail, the Apple Watch’s haptic feedback is a useful feature. The haptic will alert you of important milestones, like distance traveled or heart rate goals, without the need to look at the screen. This can keep you in tune with your fitness progress while staying aware of your surroundings. It’s a bit getting used to but it is quite intuitive, with three vibrations with pauses indicating left, and continuous vibrations indicating right. Unfortunately with me this only worked when ‘Driving’ haptic alerts are on. This also means you will feel these haptics while getting driving instructions using Apple Maps when not using CarPlay for example.

Setting Alerts with the Workout App

The Workout app also offers alerts that can help you stay on schedule. For example, you can set a time alert for halfway through your workout, reminding you when it’s time to turn back. This is particularly useful for out-and-back hikes where you want to make sure you have enough daylight or energy to return to your starting point. Open the Workouts. Click on the three dots next to Hiking. Tap Preferences and you see what Alerts are used. Tap on Time. Here you can enable the alert and set the time at which you want to turn around. Unfortunately the maximum time you can set is 99 minutes and 59 seconds. You can also set alerts for every so many kilometers or miles you’ve walked. This way, you can set an alert for halfway. Estimate the number of miles or kilometers if you know your average pace. The next section shows an alternative method.

The Workout alerts won’t give you alerts related to elevation but the compass app does. Open the compass app and click on the i in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap on target alert. Here you can set the altitude at which to sound the alert. The bottom line shows the relative altitude so you could tune the alert to that metric too.

Creating an alarm for a turnaround time

The time alerts mentioned before are not very persistent and could be missed in windy conditions. Also, you may need to set them for differently for every hike and, as seen before, the maximum turnaround time is about 100 minutes. With this in mind, I created a small Apple Shortcut which simply asks you at what time you would like to be back to your starting position. It then calculates the time between now and wanted return time, and sets an alarm when you are right in between the start and return time. This is useful for when you start a hike at, for example 11:53 and would like to be back at the starting point at 17:30 following exactly the same route back. To create the shortcut, go to the Shortcuts app on the iPhone or iPad, press the + button on the top right, click on the down pointed arrow next to ‘New Shortcut’ and rename the shortcut to ‘Turnaround Time’. Program the lines shown in the left figure below. You can find the commands by searching for them in the ‘Search Actions’ search bar. The format of TAtime and Nowtime should be: Date Format None, Time format Short, and Locale Default. When you start your hike, start the shortcut by typing turnaround in the iPhone search, and the shortcut appears (see screen below on the right). You enter the return time and the app will start a timer.

When you are mostly walking up a mountain, the time to get back (going downhill) could be shorter than walking uphill. Often downhill time is half that of uphill time. In this case you could consider changing the Calculation Result (one-but last line in the shortcut) from ‘Calculation Result / 2′ by ‘Calculation Result * 2 / 3′. This makes the uphill part 2/3rds of your total time, and the downhill part 1/3rd.

Low power mode

When hiking, particularly on long trails, conserving battery is essential. The Apple Watch features a Low Power Mode, which is designed to extend the battery life significantly without losing critical data. In this mode, you’ll still be able to track your workout, but the watch will switch off always on settings, Background blood oxygen measurements and some other features. This is a great way to manage the balance between detailed fitness tracking and battery conservation. In the Watch app, scroll down to Workout, tap it and the option for Low Power Mode appears.

Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings

For extended hiking sessions, you can also choose to reduce the frequency of GPS and heart rate readings. By selecting this option in the same menu shown above, the Apple Watch will capture location and heart rate data less often. This also contributes to a longer battery life. It applies only to walking, running and hiking sessions, and is perfect for day-long or multi-day hikes where you want your watch to last as long as possible.

2. Navigating When Hiking

Creating and Navigating Routes with Apple Maps

One of the most valuable tools for hikers using the Apple Watch Ultra is the ability to create routes with Apple Maps. When planning a route, you can set waypoints directly on your iPhone or iPad and sync it with your watch. Keep in mind that Apple Maps allows for a maximum of 100 waypoints on a route, so plan accordingly for longer trails.

Before planning hiking routes, it’s best to set the iPhone/iPad/Mac maps view to ‘explore’

There are two ways to start a new route. The first way is to tap and hold anywhere on the map. the Marked Location menu shows a ‘More…’ option. Tap on it and a drop-down menu appears where you can tap on ‘Create a custom route’.

The second way is to swipe up within the maps to see the search bar and the library with your favourites. Below this, there is a menu to see stored places, guides and routes. Tap on it, then tap on Routes and finally tap on the ‘+ Create’ button. Now tap on a place within the map to set the starting point of the route.

You can now add up to 100 points to define your route. Maps will automatically create a route connecting each point. This is done via known roads within the map. This has the advantage that for long roads you only have to add a few points. Maps will connect the points following perfectly the road. This does mean that you cannot connect points when there is no road in between them. Unlike the Suunto app for example, you cannot connect points with a straight line. Let’s hope Apple fixes this soon.

If you have a closed route, you can have Maps close the route by selecting Close Loop from either the menu in the lower left, or by tapping on the last route point and select Close Loop.

You can now click on Save and give your route a custom name. To ensure availability, select the checkbox to download the route. This way, it will be available even if you lose internet connection in remote places.

Once your route is set, you can start navigating by selecting the route in the routes menu and select ‘Directions ‘. If you are not at the route’s start place, Maps will show a route to the start place. From the start place, the Apple Watch Ultra will guide you with turn-by-turn navigation. You can view your route and see your progress at any time, which is particularly useful for staying on track in unfamiliar terrain.

Note that if you are not navigating while hiking, you can still store a location and use it later tomorrow navigate back to. Open Maps on the Watch. Tap on the ;ovation indicator in the middle. A new screen pops up where you can tap in ‘Mark My Location’. This location will then be available as one of the recently stored locations when you tap the magnifying glass in Maps on your watch.

Losing the map while hiking

I noticed that during the workout you loose the view of the map when there is an alert for example. This is one of the disadvantages of having two different apps running on your watch, instead of one that integrates both workout and maps like Workoutdoors. I created a simple shortcut to put the map back on the screen with the Apple Watch Ultra’s Action Button.

Open the Shortcuts app on the iPhone or iPad. Press the + button on the top right. Click on the down arrow next to ‘New Shortcut’ and rename the shortcut to OpenMaps. Use the search bar on the right if you are using an iPad. On an iPhone, find the search bar at the bottom. Search for the Open App command. Then select it (see left screen below). Then tap on the App word and a menu appears, showing the available apps. Select the Maps app (see right screen below). We have now created an app that opens the Maps app. Press done, and then tap and hold on the OpenMaps shortcut. A menu appears. Tap on Details and make sure you select the ‘Show on Apple Watch’ checkbox.

You can now assign the Action Button to this shortcut. During your hike, if you lose the maps on your watch screen, just press the Action Button. Maps will reappear on top of your Apple Watch screen. If you don’t have the Ultra Watch you could assign a function within the Smart Stack to this shortcut.

Even if you are not running a Workout, Maps will return to the clock if you raise your wrist again. You can modify this in the Watch app. Go to General. Then tap on Return To Clock. Scroll down to Maps. Click on Custom and select ‘After 1 hour’. This will keep Maps on the screen after opening it. Again, this won’t work while having a Workout alert. In that case use the shortcut above.

Using the Compass App to Trace Back Footsteps

If you stray from your path or want to retrace your steps, the Apple Watch Ultra’s Compass app has you covered. The Backtrack feature records your path. It allows you to see where you’ve been and follow the same route back to your starting point. This feature is essential for hikers who find themselves off-route or need to return to a known location safely.

You can start backtracking automatically on remote places. To do this by opening the Watch app on the iPhone, scroll down to ‘Workout’ and select ‘Backtrack’ .

When hiking not too far from home, you will have to manually start backtracking. Start the Compass app, select the backtrack button on the lower right, and select ‘Record Path’. The Compass app now records trace points allowing you to retrace them. To start backtracking, press the bottom right button in the compass. Note that it is now a red backtrack button. Afterward, press ‘Retrace Steps’.

A white route appears to indicate the direction you should follow to return to your starting position. There is also a compass direction (white arrow) pointing towards the start point. When you are close to the start point, that white arrow will disappear. When you are back at the starting location, tap the footsteps icon and tap Delete Steps to end Backtrack. Note that you can set the Action Button to Backtracking as well.

Using the Compass App to Follow a Bearing

You can use the Compass app on the Apple Watch to follow a bearing, open the Compass app. Press the i on the top left. Scroll down and tap on Bearing. To set a bearing, rotate the Digital Crown until the red compass needle points to the desired direction, then tap the green check marker on the top right. This locks the bearing in, and a red line will appear on the compass, showing the set direction. As you move, adjust your position so the compass needle aligns with this red line to follow the bearing accurately. If you deviate from the bearing, the red needle will show how far off you are, helping guide you back on course.

3. Avoiding and Resolving Troubles on Your Hike

Fall Detection and Emergency Contacts

The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with Fall Detection, which can be a lifesaving feature during a hike. If the watch detects a hard fall and you’re unresponsive for a short time, it will automatically call emergency services. To make sure this feature works properly, you’ll need to enable it in the Apple Watch settings. Open the Watch App. Scroll down and tap on Emergency SOS. Here you can enable fall detection.

Make sure your iPhone has the correct emergency number set up, in the same menu. Also, fill out your Medical ID in the iPhone’s Health app. This information can be crucial for first responders if something happens during your hike. Open the iPhone Settings app. Scroll down to Apps. Tap on Health. Then tap on Medical ID. Now you can enter medical data like medication or allergies. Also you can opt to share your medical ID during an emergency call.

Planning Your Route and Storing Emergency Contacts

Before heading out on a hike, it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance using Apple Maps. Having your route saved and easily accessible on your watch can prevent you from getting lost. You should also store the phone number of the park or trail office in your phone in case you need assistance.

One quick and easy way to estimate a duration of a hike is to simply open the Maps app on your Apple Watch. When zooming in and out a bit using the crown, you can see a perimeter that indicates an estimate walking duration. This does not however take elevation into account.

Making Emergency Calls and Using the Siren

In the event of an emergency, the Apple Watch makes it easy to call for help. By pressing and holding the side button, you can make an emergency call directly from the watch, provided you have cellular service. Slide the slidebar to the right and the call will be made.

If you’re in an area without reception and need to get attention, the Apple Watch Ultra features a built-in siren that emits a loud sound designed to alert others to your location. This can be activated by holding the Action Button and selecting the siren option. Another way to open the menu is to hold the Action button until you see the Siren slidebar.

SOS via Satellite on iPhone

If you’re truly in a remote area without cellular service, the iPhone’s SOS via Satellite feature is an additional safety net. This allows you to send an emergency message using satellite communication. To use this feature, follow the steps on your iPhone to activate the SOS mode and aim at the nearest satellite to send a message to emergency responders. When you aim up, the iPhone will show which direction to point at. Try to reach an as much as possible open space (hill top, away from trees). You can open the Connection Assistant in Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, then tap the Cellular button on the right. Tap Satellite, then choose a satellite feature. Another way is to access satellite connection from the Settings app: Open Settings, then tap Satellite and choose a satellite feature. These features are only available if you have no cellular and no WIFI connection. You will need to have an iPhone 14 or newer model with you. It is expected that Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have its own satellite connectivity.

Check in With Friends or Family

Anyone who has seen the movie ‘127 hours’ will hopefully have learned a lesson: always let someone know where you are hiking or going. Apple Watch has an easy way of letting friends or family know where you are going or if you have arrived. It’s called ‘Check in’. With this feature you can quickly notify selected contacts of your current location. This is especially useful if you’re meeting someone or completing a hike. By tapping a few buttons, your friends or family will receive a message or notification with your location, letting them know you’ve safely arrived at a destination or reached a point on your route. This is a convenient way to stay connected during activities without needing your phone.

Swipe right during a Workout and tap Check in. Select the person to send it to and when to send the check in. Normally this is set to ‘when Workout ends’. Press Send and your contact will be notified when the workout ends. You can also select ‘when I arrive’. Of you select this, you will have to set the destination you’re headed to. This needs to be an existing place in Maps as you will have to search for the destination. Then you select how to calculate the estimated time (your travel time method): for hiking this would be walking. Add an extra time you need (for example if you think you will need a break). When you send the check in, not only will your contact be notified immediately and when you reach the destination, but also if your Apple Watch isn’t progressing for an extended period of time or if it doesn’t reach your destination as expected.

Don’t be naive

An iPhone and Apple Watch can only take you so far in keeping you safe. They won’t protect you from extreme heat, sudden temperature drops, storms and dehydration for example. Make sure that on long hikes you bring the 10 essentials:
1. navigation (Apple Watch / iPhone) with power bank to ensure sufficient energy, charge cables
2. sun protection (sun cream and cap, maybe a very thin long sleeve)
3. cold protection (extra jacket for breaks or when it gets cold, buff, hat, light wind jacket)
4. rain protection (jacket and pants)
5. night protection: headlamp
6. injury protection: medical kit (for blisters, pain, open wounds)
7. toilet kit (toilet paper, hand sanitizer ,wag bag)
8. repair kit (even if it’s just some matches, bit of duct tape, pocket knife and a small tube of glue to fix soles)
9. food
10. plenty of water.

With these features, the Apple Watch (Ultra) can be an invaluable tool for staying safe, tracking your fitness, and navigating your hike. Whether you’re planning a short day hike or a multi-day adventure, this guide will help you get the most out of your smartwatch on the trails. Happy hiking!

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Ultimate Guide to Hiking with the Apple Watch (Ultra)

Contents:

1. Using the Workout App for Hiking