Hi there, this is a scenic image with some rolling hills, and tree covered mountains in the background, in the foreground is a tall green tree. In the top left hand corner is the AllTrails logo which is a green square with rounded corners, and white symbol of the mountain in the centre. Across the centre of the image is the phrase ‘Find your outdoors’ with a white search box underneath. In the bottom right hand corner is the Simpatico logo.

It’s The Spring Equinox!

Today is the Spring Equinox which marks the first day of Spring (although if you are a meteorologist you may argue that the 1st day of Spring is the 1st of March).  Anyway, this means that the Easter break is just around the corner and maybe if we’re lucky the sun will make an appearance.  So if you fancy taking a Spring walk with the family, then we have an app recommendation for you – AllTrails.

AllTrails is free to download and is available from Google Play and the App Store, (please note there is a subscription option which allows access to more features, however we believe the free version is perfectly adequate); it contains trail guides and maps for walking, hiking, running and biking, plus lots of other outdoor pursuits.

When you open the app you will be asked to register via your Apple, Facebook or Google account, or you can input your details manually.  Once registered you will have access to a wealth of routes in your area, or you can search for a location and it will bring up a list of recommended walks in that area.  To tailor the walk to suit your needs, there are helpful filters on the app to narrow down the choice, you can select from difficulty, length, and suitability (for example if it’s pram-friendly or  wheelchair-friendly) and there’s even an option to select attractions that you’d like to see along the way such as waterfalls, lakes, railway paths etc.

Each trail has a map, route description, photos, distance, elevation, average time to complete, and many also have reviews by other users who have completed the trail.

When you have decided on a trail, the app will give you directions on how to get to the starting point, and from there you can track your activity, which helps make sure you are heading in the right direction and ensures you don’t get lost.

In Beverley, there are several recommended trails on the app which include The Risby Round Walk, Skidby and Folly Wood Circular, Molescroft to Arram Circular, Beverley to Walkington Circular, to name a few.  It’s a really handy app if you want to stay local but would like to explore somewhere a bit different, without the hassle of figuring out your own route.