You're heading out on a hike alone, or with a small group, in an isolated area. You want someone close to you to follow your progress without having to send a message every hour. Real-time track sharing tools answer exactly that need, and they've become accessible to everyone. They come in two forms: smartphone apps that work with mobile network coverage, and satellite trackers that keep transmitting where phone signal doesn't reach.
Smartphone apps: practical when there's coverage
Several apps let you share your real-time position with a trusted contact as long as your phone has signal. For many hikes in the mountains of Haute-Savoie, especially those close to inhabited valleys or resorts, that's usually enough.
- WhatsApp and Messenger: the "share live location" feature sends your position for a set duration, from 15 minutes to 8 hours. No extra setup needed, and your contact sees your position on a built-in map.
- Google Maps: "Share location" works on the same principle. The map is readable without a Google account, which makes things easier for contacts who aren't used to hiking apps.
- Komoot: if you already use it to plan your routes, Live Tracking shows your progress along the planned trail. Your contact sees both your position and the path you're taking.
- Organic Maps, OsmAnd: open-source alternatives with track sharing features, worth knowing if you prefer to avoid major platforms.
The limitation is straightforward: once you lose mobile coverage, your position stops updating. In the Bauges or in the high-altitude sectors of the Mont-Blanc area, no-signal zones are common. An app alone isn't enough for serious mountain routes.
Satellite trackers: backup when signal drops
For hikes at altitude or in remote areas, a satellite tracker changes everything. These devices communicate directly with satellites, without depending on phone towers.
- Garmin inReach Mini: the market reference. Compact and light, it provides real-time track sharing and two-way short messaging. In an emergency, the SOS button triggers an alert to GEOS, the global emergency coordination centre.
- SPOT Gen4: a cheaper option upfront, with tracking and emergency alert functions. No two-way messaging, but sufficient for basic position sharing.
- Bivystick: compatible with the Gaia GPS app, useful if you already use that tool for topographic maps.
A monthly or annual subscription is required for each tracker. Plans vary depending on features chosen. It's a real cost, but consider it against the potential cost of a mountain rescue operation, which can be substantial depending on your insurance coverage.
Setting things up before you leave
The tool alone isn't enough. Before leaving the trailhead or the village, a few minutes of preparation make a real difference.
Tell your contact clearly:
- the planned route, including the summit or pass you're aiming for, not just "I'm going for a hike nearby"
- your estimated return time, with an honest buffer for conditions
- the emergency number to call: 112 in Europe, or local mountain rescue equivalents
- exactly what they should do if they haven't heard from you by the agreed time
For a route like the Figlia from Allèves, a fine summit in the Bauges set well away from roads and habitations, the timing can vary considerably depending on pace and conditions. Give a realistic window, with one to two hours' margin depending on the terrain profile.
What your contact actually needs to do
Sharing your track creates a false sense of security if your contact doesn't know what to do with the information. A few simple guidelines to go through before you head out.
They should call mountain rescue if:
- your position hasn't moved for more than an hour at a spot that isn't a summit or refuge
- you haven't responded to messages for an unexpectedly long time without apparent reason
- your planned return time has passed by more than two hours with no word from you
They should not go looking for you on their own in the mountains. That's the role of specialist mountain rescue teams, reachable via 112. An uncoordinated search can complicate rescue operations and put more people at risk.
Also take a moment to show them how to read the shared map before you leave. A dot on a background map means little to someone who doesn't hike regularly. A few minutes of explanation at home is worth more than a confused phone call from a stretch of trail with no signal.
For more demanding routes, such as the lac de Gers and refuge de Sales near Samoëns, the duration and the exposed terrain can catch even experienced hikers off guard. An active track share or satellite tracker is a small effort for genuine peace of mind on both sides.
Sharing your live position is a simple habit to build. It doesn't replace preparation, proper footwear, or a topographic map, but it gives someone you trust the means to act if things don't go to plan. In the mountains of Haute-Savoie as elsewhere, looking out for each other starts with gestures like this one.