Mapping

1. Create a Profile

Signing up allows you to share trails, upload photos, and become an active member of the community.

Create your account using an email address or Facebook.

With Facebook you'll be able to:

Easily log in with one click
Easily share Hiking Project content with your Facebook network
Note: We don't post on your behalf

Part of a trail organization or club?

Local organizations are listed in the Hiking Project directory, and a logo can be shown on all trail pages in your area, clickable back to your homepage. Once you sign up you can add your club here.

2. Go Explore

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Record your trails to help guide others.

Before you get started: Check out your area on Hiking Project to see what's already been mapped.

Record a Recommended Route or Trail:

Trails are added individually and in their entirety. Recommended Routes are local favorite routes that often use multiple trails.
More details about the difference between Trails and Recommended Routes.
Head out and use the Hiking Project app or your favorite GPS device or a smartphone app to record it (Strava, MotionX, etc).
Think guidebook: pick a popular route that starts and ends at a common trailhead.
Record voice memos, take photos, and note points of interest along the way.
Example Recommended Route: Four Pass Loop

Find Gems along the way:

Gems are exceptionally special places. They can be deep in the wilderness or just off the road.
Take a few photos — you'll need them to share a gem.
Example Gem: The Subway

Photos & Videos:

Inspire others to get out and experience the trails you love. Action shots, scenic vistas and interesting features are best.
You'll need to remember where you took the photo — smartphones and GPS-enabled cameras do this for you!
Example 5-star photo: Switchbacks on Static Peak

Symbols:

Symbols are a very easy, valuable addition to the map. They provide point location info to the site and mobile app — where to park, where you'll have a view, etc.

3. Share Your Adventures

Add your Recommended Route, upload inspirational photos, or place points of interest on the map.

Approval process: All contributions are reviewed in-house to ensure a high level of quality. Our pro mapping team may reach out with questions during the quick approval process.

Adding a Trail or Recommended Route:

Unless you want to add a single Trail, start by adding a Recommended Route.
Download the GPS track from your device or a smartphone app. Here are instructions for downloading your GPS tracks using Strava, MapMyFitness, Garmin Connect, MotionX, and MyTracks.
We accept files in gpx, kml, and kmz formats.

Adding Gems:

Tell us why this is an exceptionally special place; photos are required.

Adding Photos & Videos:

Pick your best hiking photos and share them. Think of it as a highlight reel.
Upload your videos to Youtube or Vimeo and share the link.
All photos and videos must be placed on a trail on the Hiking Project map.

Symbols:

Make sure to zoom all the way in on the map to place the symbol exactly where the real-life feature exists.

Share Your Trails

4. Improve Existing Content

Rate photos and Recommended Routes, and keep information up-to-date.

Find a trail that needs improvement:

On the trail page, find the "You and this Recommended Route/Trail" section on the right-hand side of the page.
Click "Edit Description or GPS track" to make any necessary updates.

Share your opinion:

Star Ratings: Vote on Recommended Routes, trails, and photos to help determine what gets featured throughout the site.
Difficulty: Share your opinion using our simple rating system.
Conditions: Keep them up-to-date via our reporting tool, found at the top of trail pages.
Area Pages: Share your local area knowledge via the "Tell us!" link found on all area pages. Example area page: Rocky Mountain National Park

Map Your Trails with Hiking Project

1. Create a Profile

2. Go Explore

3. Share Your Adventures

4. Improve Existing Content

Join the Community! It's FREE