
Organic Maps adds elevation charts, smarter US address search, and seamless map wrapping
Organic Maps, the privacy-focused open source navigation app powered by OpenStreetMap data, has rolled out a significant update packed with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes designed to improve the outdoor experience. A standout addition for hikers and cyclists is the ability to interact directly with trails on the map; users can now tap any route to highlight it and instantly view its elevation profile and climb statistics. This direct interaction streamlines trip planning, allowing adventurers to assess the difficulty of a path without needing to switch contexts or consult external tools.
The update also substantially expands the app's geographic database, introducing two million new addresses across the United States parsed from the TIGER Census dataset. This influx of data, combined with smarter house number matching algorithms, significantly improves search accuracy and result relevance throughout the country. While these internal improvements make finding locations easier, the developers remind the community that contributing missing addresses directly to OpenStreetMap remains the most effective long-term strategy for enhancing global search capabilities.
On the technical and visual front, Organic Maps has eliminated the traditional map edge at the antimeridian, creating a seamless global experience that wraps smoothly across the ±180° longitude line. Users can now drag and rotate the map between regions like Chukotka and Alaska or New Zealand and Fiji without encountering invisible walls or awkward resets, making the Pacific ocean feel truly round. Additional refinements include the ability to recolor all bookmarks and tracks within a category in a single tap, updated OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia data, new icons for food courts and city gates, and various performance improvements that ensure a stable and fluid user experience.
