One of the world’s most popular hiking apps has changed one of its routes after three walkers had to be rescued while following its directions in the Lake District.
The walkers became stranded on a steep scree slope while following a route set by the AllTrails app on Barf fell, near Bassenthwaite Lake. They dialled 999 when they realised there was no safe route down the 469-metre fell as darkness loomed at 3.30pm on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Keswick mountain rescue said the walkers had been following a route that led them down a “steep face” of the mini-mountain where there was no path.
He said: “There is no path via this route – only a scramble of loose scree which also requires the walker to negotiate the rocky outcrop of Slape Crag. It’s the scene of previous callouts.”
The walkers and their dog made it over Slape Crag but with visibility poor in fading light they became stranded and “wisely called for help”, he said.
They were given harnesses and helmets with rescuers using ropes to help them descend. The spokesperson said it was another reminder that some mapping apps had “serious limitations”.
AllTrails, a US company founded in 2010, is one of the world’s most popular hiking apps and claims to have more than 40 million users. A spokesperson said it had “conducted a review of this particular trail” and that the map had been updated.
She told the BBC: “Trail safety is of the utmost importance to AllTrails and we work directly with parks and land managers to ensure the public receives the best possible information. Users can also help us maintain accurate and up to date trail pages by suggesting edits or leaving reviews.
“We have also contacted the Keswick mountain rescue team to see how we can partner to improve trail safety.”
She said the app was “one part of the important preparation that everyone should follow to have a safe and positive experience on the trail”.
The company advised users to look for trails with recent reviews and pictures of the “most up to date trail information”.
Mountain rescue teams have long complained about some walkers’ reliance on smartphone maps – a trend that seems to have grown since the Covid pandemic when inexperienced hikers were drawn to the hills.
