The Apple Watch Ultra series excels as a rugged smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts, yet some key features remain absent. While watchOS 11 brings improvements like Activity Ring adjustments, built-in Apple Maps navigation, and a Tides app, third-party apps can further elevate its capabilities.
Here are five essential apps to maximize your Ultra for hiking, swimming, skiing, and more—some even integrating seamlessly with the Action button.
Best Navigation App: Footpath
If Apple’s native navigation falls short, Footpath fills the gap. The free version offers route planning, but the Elite subscription (24/year) unlocks full Apple Watch Ultra support, including Action button integration.
- Offline turn-by-turn navigation with audio guidance
- Manual map control via the Digital Crown (swipe, zoom, pan)
- Syncs with Apple’s Workout app for music/podcasts during navigation
- Action button shortcuts: Toggle maps or announce next turn
For adventurers seeking precision, Footpath’s topographic maps and Action button compatibility make it a premium upgrade.
Best Hiking App: WorkOutDoors
While the Ultra handles day hikes well, WorkOutDoors adds critical features:
- Vector-based topographic maps (auto-rotating for direction changes)
- GPX route import/export with breadcrumb navigation
- Fully offline functionality
- Customizable data screens for metrics like elevation and pace
The Action button can pause/resume workouts, switch map views, or end sessions—ideal for gloved use.
Best Swimming App: Swim.com Tracker
Apple’s swim tracking is reliable, but Swim.com offers deeper analytics:
- Stroke detection and count
- Drill/pace modes for structured training
- Swim location finder and workout library
- Leaderboards for competitive swimmers
Though lacking Action button support, its Ultra-optimized metrics make it a standout.
Best Heart Rate Training App: Zones
For athletes focused on heart rate zones, Zones outperforms Apple’s native tools:
- Real-time BPM/intensity alerts (vibration notifications)
- Multi-sport support (running, cycling, snowboarding, etc.)
- iPhone companion app for post-workout analysis
- Customizable zones/colors (Premium feature)
While it doesn’t leverage the Action button, its Ultra-optimized display ensures clarity during workouts.
Best Skiing App: Slopes
For skiers and snowboarders, Slopes excels with:
- Real-time stats: Speed, altitude, distance
- Ski lift detection and friend tracking
- GNSS precision (leveraging Ultra’s dual-frequency GPS)
- Action button to start workouts instantly (glove-friendly)
The premium tier adds long-term performance insights, perfect for season-long progress tracking.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Ultra shines with these apps, bridging gaps in navigation, hiking, swimming, heart rate training, and skiing. While watchOS 11 improves the baseline, third-party tools unlock its full potential—especially with Action button integration.
