Why a group hike needs more than a group chat
A group hiking trip planner has to cover more than the trail. The route may live in Gaia GPS or AllTrails, the gear list in a document, the permit plan in someone’s head, and the carpool decision in a group chat. That is how two people bring a stove while nobody owns the water filter.
The Dirt Brief puts the complete plan on one page. Your group sees the route, meeting time, permit holder, shared gear owners, meal plan, and emergency details together. You can also see who has opened the brief before everyone reaches the trailhead.
Free planning template
Build the plan before you build the brief
Use the free group hike planning template to cover the decisions that usually get split across a map, a document, and a group chat. It works for a day hike, a hut weekend, or a multi-day backpacking trip.
- 1
Route and timing. Mileage, elevation, pace, turnaround time, camps, water, and bailout options.
- 2
Trailhead logistics. Meeting time, parking, carpools, permits, and who holds the group permit.
- 3
Gear and food. One owner for every shared item, plus meal and water responsibilities.
- 4
Safety and confirmation. Weather decision, emergency plan, contacts, and confirmation that everyone read the brief.
What The Dirt Brief does, and what your mapping app does
Plan and navigate the trail
Use AllTrails, Gaia GPS, onX, or CalTopo to find the trail, build the route, download offline maps, and navigate in the field.
Brief and coordinate the group
Use The Dirt Brief to put the route beside the meeting plan, gear ownership, meals, permits, polls, and emergency details, then share one link with the crew.
For the full workflow, read the group backpacking planning guide or see our honest comparison with mapping apps and shared documents.
Everything your crew needs on one page
Your route, on an interactive map
Export the GPX route from Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or CalTopo and drop it in. The crew sees the full trail with trailheads, campsites, and water sources, not a screenshot.
Shared gear, claimed not duplicated
A shared gear list where each person claims what they are bringing: tent, stove, water filter, bear canister, first aid. No more three people packing a stove and nobody carrying the filter.
Permits and bear canisters, sorted before the trailhead
Note who is holding the permit and who is carrying the bear canister for each night, so the group is covered in the backcountry instead of sorting it out at the ranger station.
Camp meals split across the crew
Assign cook crews and nights so dinner is handled. Everyone sees who is cooking what and what to pack in, without a spreadsheet, and you pack out less by planning portions up front.
Know who is actually prepared
Engagement tracking shows who has opened the brief. Nudge the two people who have not before they show up at the trailhead without a bear canister for the permit zone.
Three steps. That’s it.
- 1
Drop in your GPX from GAIA GPS, onX Offroad, Komoot, or CalTopo — it becomes an interactive route map.
- 2
Add camps, gear, meals, and any polls or questions for the crew.
- 3
Share one link. Everyone views the brief, claims gear, and votes — no accounts, no downloads.
Group Hikes trip planning, answered
How do I plan a group hike?
Start with the route, distance, elevation, meeting time, turnaround rule, and weather decision. Then assign permits, carpools, shared gear, water, meals, and emergency responsibilities. Put the final plan in one brief that every hiker can open before the trip.
How should a group split hiking and backpacking gear?
List each shared item once and give it one named owner. Include water treatment, first aid, shelters, stoves, fuel, navigation backup, repair supplies, and required bear storage. Everyone should be able to see unclaimed items before the group leaves.
Can I share a hike plan without making everyone create an account?
Yes. The organizer creates the brief and shares one link. Participants can view the trail, claim gear, check the meal plan, vote on decisions, and ask questions without signing up or downloading an app.
What should be included in a hiking trip brief?
Include the route and GPX, distance and elevation, trailhead and meeting time, expected pace, turnaround rule, weather decision, permits, water sources, shared gear owners, meals, carpools, emergency contacts, and a confirmation that everyone has read the plan.
Brief your crew with one link
Your first trip is free with every feature unlocked. No credit card.
Plan Your Group Hike Free