For hiking enthusiasts and outdoor activity lovers, this is an indispensable tool! The Visorando platform is a must-have app for organising your outdoor outings. Accessible from a computer, there is also a mobile app for easy access from your smartphone.
What is Visorando?
It is one of the largest hiking route platforms in France. For hiking, it is also practical for all other outdoor sports disciplines: cycling, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, and horse riding. The Visorando platform provides access to nearly 20,000 routes.
It is available as a smartphone app. It can also be accessed from your computer from the comfort of your own home.
Using the Visorando app while hiking
Once on the app's interface, it's straightforward: you can search either by geolocation of routes around your current position. It is also possible to enter a specific starting point, such as your home address.
A list of walks will be suggested, allowing you to choose based on various criteria: distance, elevation gain, and approximate duration. You can then select your route according to your walking pace, difficulty level, and the area you wish to explore.
Plan your route to perfection with Visorando!
Through the Visorando app, a detailed description of the selected route is provided. It is also possible to download the map and the information sheet for the hike. Other useful features include route plotting on a given map and unlimited offline map downloads. You can create your own GPX track, and only tracks in GPX format can be imported. Finally, you can geolocate the starting point of the hike. Using your smartphone's navigation app, you can then get there more easily.
Beyond these core features, Visorando offers inspiration for walks and lets you explore different types of terrain. You can draw on user suggestions, their reviews and comments, or even their photos.
IGN maps, great deals: extra features for Visorando Premium members
For users who have subscribed to Visorando Premium, additional features are available. For example, access to IGN map layers (for use directly in the mobile app or to download to your watch) is enhanced thanks to an advanced route-drawing tool: more ergonomic, with a host of possibilities (full-screen mode, generate a return route, reverse direction, import/export multiple GPX files, compare and merge multiple tracks, automatic map recentring to make plotting hiking routes easier).
Visorando Premium also gives access to a catalogue of benefits with the platform's partners. CIMALP is one of Visorando's partners, which means Visorando Premium members can enjoy 15% off all items in the brand's catalogue. Joining Visorando is a great way to explore Cimalp, specialists in outdoor clothing and equipment, at a preferential rate.
Gearing up properly before heading out hiking
Before heading out on a hike, choosing the right gear is essential. What shoes are best for hiking? How do I pack my rucksack? Which walking poles should I choose? What first aid kit essentials should I carry? These are all questions that need to be addressed.
The key factors that will help you choose your hiking clothing and hiking gear are mainly:
- your physical condition
- the duration of the hike (day trip or multi-day)
- the terrain (forest path, mid-mountain or high mountain, rough ground, with elevation gain)
- weather conditions
Check out our 6 tips before heading out on a hike. All that's left to do is gear up and download the Visorando app on your phone!
Watch this article as a video.
