Prepare evidence for a Verified Hikes review.
GPS files are strongest, and photos, stamps, permits, bookings, guide confirmations, and activity screenshots can support the review. Evidence stays private and reviewer-only.
Proof readiness
Route proof
GPX, FIT, TCX, or activity links are strongest when dates and route shape match the trail.
Supporting evidence
Photos, stamps, permits, bookings, and guide confirmation help explain gaps or route variants.
Privacy check
Private proof is reviewed securely and is not shown on the public verification page.
Review outcome
A reviewer may approve, reject, or ask for clarification before any certificate is issued.
GPS exports
Export GPX, FIT, or TCX from your activity app or device when available. We check file type, dates, point count, plausibility, and route-match needs without publishing coordinates.
Supporting proof
Trail photos, stamps, permits, hut bookings, screenshots, and completion notes can support a strong submission when they match the trail and dates.
Privacy
Do not upload sensitive locations, private addresses, identity documents, or anything you do not want reviewers to see. Public pages never show raw evidence.
Upload limits and formats
Accepted formats: GPX, FIT, TCX, JPG/JPEG, PNG, and PDF. You can upload up to 12 files, with a maximum of 25 MB per file. Duplicate files are rejected by content hash, and unsupported or unsafe files are not sent to review.
Private review material
Raw GPS points, original photos, filenames, storage details, permit information, contact details, and reviewer notes remain behind authenticated reviewer access.
Public certificate record
Only safe metadata is public: certificate status, trail, display name according to your privacy choice, verification level, issue date, PDF fingerprint, signature status, and event history.
What happens after payment
Uploads move through received, security scan, ready for review, and reviewed states. If a file is rejected, the dashboard explains whether it is unsupported, too large, duplicated, or failed its safety scan. A reviewer may then request clarification. If approved, your certificate receives a QR verification page, signed metadata, and a short fingerprint.
Evidence tips
Use completion dates that match your evidence.
Explain route variants, side trips, or section certificates clearly.
Verified Hikes is an independent evidence-reviewed registry record, not an official trail authority unless explicitly marked otherwise.
Verification levels
Evidence Reviewed Human review of private proof against trail, date, and plausibility signals.
GPS Supported Route evidence includes a GPS/activity record strong enough to support the certificate.
Partner or Authority Confirmed Used only when an approved partner or trail authority workflow explicitly supports that wording.