HiiKER, a hiking tech start-up, has announced that it will be providing hikers with free access to offline maps to prioritise their safety.

This move comes after Mountain Rescue teams across Ireland and the UK showed their support, recognising it as a step towards reducing the risk of incidents and keeping hikers safe.

The release of free maps include details on how best to hike Watson's Pike and Hexhamshire Common in Northumberland.

With nearly 120,000 volunteer hours spent rescuing ill-prepared hikers in England and Wales in 2021, access to offline maps is seen as crucial in ensuring that hikers are well-prepared for their journeys.

Paul Finlay, the CEO and Founder of HiiKER, said: "Hiker Safety is our absolute priority. 

"Offering hikers Free Offline maps on HiiKER, means that everyone can feel confident that they're on track, regardless of mobile service."

Both existing and new HiiKER users will have access to free offline maps.

Existing users who currently pay for offline maps will be upgraded to the HiiKER PRO+ plan at no additional cost, granting them access to more maps and useful features for planning and navigating.

HiiKER, founded in Ireland in 2020, is a mobile application and website that allows users to discover, plan, and navigate over 40,000 hiking trails worldwide.