How do you share your live location while trail running?
To share your live location while trail running, start a share in the trailhead parking lot, send the link to a Guardian with the loop you plan to run, and carry the phone in a vest or belt where it won't bounce out. Holler's link opens in any browser, no app or account needed. Trails drift in and out of coverage, so set a return time and consider a stationary alert: a hard fall on a remote singletrack is the case you're sharing for.
Setting up a shared trail run
01Name the trails, not just the park
A dot in a big trail network doesn't tell anyone which access road to use. Send your Guardian the trailhead, the loop and any trails you might add. If they ever need to call for help, trail names get rescuers to you faster than coordinates alone.
02Start the share before the first climb
Open Holler at the car, start the share and wait until your first position shows. Coverage often drops once you leave the parking lot, and you want your Guardian to have at least that starting point and the direction you left in.
03Stow the phone for technical ground
Running vests with a chest pocket keep the phone reachable and steady. Waist belts work on shorter runs. Avoid loose shorts pockets on descents: a phone that falls out on a rocky trail takes your location and your way to call with it.
04Turn on a stationary alert
Trail runners fall more than road runners, and an injury can keep you from reaching your phone. Holler's optional stationary alert asks "Are you OK?" when you haven't moved for the time you choose and alerts your Guardians if you don't answer. Pick a time longer than a photo stop or a creek refill.
05Set a return time that fits trail pace
Trail miles take longer than road miles, and climbs and navigation checks add up. Set the return time from past runs on that trail plus a cushion. If you haven't checked in five minutes after it, your Guardians get an overdue alert from Holler's server even if you're in a dead zone.
06Keep enough battery to finish
Weak signal makes a phone work harder, so trails drain batteries faster than roads. Start at full charge, dim the screen, and carry a small battery pack on long runs. If the phone dies, your Guardian still sees your last known location.
Related questions
What should my Guardian do if my dot stops in the woods?
Check how long ago it last updated. A dot that froze a few minutes ago is usually a dead zone or a stop. If an alert arrives or the return time passes, they should call you, then call 911 with your trail names and last known location if you don't answer.
Can I use my GPS watch to share instead?
Many watches offer live tracking through your phone, and some trail runners use both. The Garmin LiveTrack guide explains how it works. Holler adds SOS, return time and stationary alerts delivered to your Guardians.
How do I share a run in an area with no service at all?
A phone share can't send updates without a connection, so lean on the plan and the return time, which Holler's server tracks even when your phone is offline. The page on staying safe trail running with no cell service covers the options.
Does crash detection help trail runners?
Holler's crash detection (beta) is opt-in and is tuned for hard falls followed by stillness. Trail running jolts can trigger false alarms, and slow tumbles can be missed. The stationary alert is often the steadier choice. The trail running safety guide covers the full setup.
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