Hiking distance sounds simple—add up dots on a map—but in the real world it’s messy. Here’s how Goat Maps thinks about distance, why numbers can differ, and how to get the most accurate results.
GPS distance is hard—here’s why
Locations are imprecise. Your phone samples your position every few seconds, but each fix can be off by several meters. In the data, it’s hard to tell what’s true trail meander vs. GPS wobble.
Canyons & cliffs make it worse. Rock walls, dense forest, and narrow valleys degrade satellite geometry and reflect signals (multipath), stretching or zig-zagging your path.
Phone placement matters. Your body and pack can block antennas. For best accuracy, keep the phone high and sky-facing—the top pocket of your backpack is ideal.
Why we simplify your track
Raw GPS points form a jittery line. If we measured that line as-is, every wiggle adds distance. So Goat Maps applies track simplification (think “smart smoothing”) to remove noise while keeping real turns and switchbacks.
Too little simplification → extra distance from jitter.
Too much simplification → underestimates distance by straightening real curves and cutting off switchbacks.
The “right amount” is context-dependent. Speed, terrain, signal quality, and sampling rate all matter. We tune our defaults to typical hiking conditions to balance over/under counts.
How we sanity-check accuracy
Out-and-back symmetry. We record the same trail out and back; both directions should be nearly the same. That’s our everyday calibration test.
Feedback balance. We consistently see about as many emails claiming “too long” as “too short.” That symmetry is a strong signal that our methods are centered and unbiased overall.
Why your number can differ from other sources
Trail signs. Signs are great guidance but can be rounded, out-of-date, or measured along a different path variant. It’s common for signs to be off.
Planned routes. Planning data often uses highly simplified trail lines so maps look clean and render fast. Those straighter lines make the planned distance shorter than a real walked track.
Other apps/devices. Different sampling intervals, filters, and simplification tolerances produce different totals from the same hike.
Tips for better accuracy on Goat Maps
Carry position: Top backpack pocket, screen facing out, not buried deep or stuffed beside metal/water bladders.
Sky view: Minimize time under overhangs; pause recording if you know you’ll be in a cave/slot.
Give GPS time to warm up. Don't just open the app and immediately start recording. Give the GPS location 15 seconds to stabilize before you start recording.
Keep recording continuous. Starting/stopping many times introduces edge artifacts.
Battery/permissions: Allow precise location and avoid low power mode.
Bottom line
Measuring hiking distance from GPS is inherently noisy. We simplify your data to remove error without erasing real trail shape, and we validate with out-and-back tests and user feedback symmetry. Even with all that, expect small differences vs. trail signs or planned routes—especially in canyons or near cliffs. Our goal is always the same: the most accurate hiking distance we can deliver.
If you think a specific track looks off, share it with us along with where you carried the phone and the trail conditions—we’re happy to take a look and keep improving.