>>2680672>>only maps it has are USGS toposbut that's the whole point of Alltrails, (and I think also gaia maps may do it similarly) that you get a separate "alltrails" map layer that shows where random tiny trails start and end and how they all intersect, even zig-zaggy mountain bike trails and then you can make up whatever custom routing you like in the alltrails app (or on caltopo and then import it if the route is just on the topo layer)
You are paying for that alltrails layer, and to have a searchable database of all the trails (some trails are not on it, especially less popular ones)
USGS doesn't always show smaller trails and like community parks and state parks. It's kinda random, some states are better than others - for example, in PA the topo maps are pretty useful and reflect most of the trails, but alltrails really is useful beyond that.
Also, shout out to
myhikes.orgIts a guy based in the pretty (north-central) part of PA and its like a mini-alltrails not JUST for PA, but mostly (also includes some other people contributing and he does travel around some, and its $20 for a lifetime pass to download .gpx routes and he puts a lot of work into the site and there's some interesting hikes that don't come up on alltrails.
Also you can just browse alltrails desktop app for free, you just have to make an account, you just can't use it offline without paying.
>I used it to explore an abandoned forestry railroad That's one of my favorite things - exploring abandoned railroads, but I always find them on the topo maps, they never leave that off here, or well, I've never found one that I can think of that didn't appear on the map at all
