AllTrails
AllTrails.com is a tool for discovering hiking, biking, and running trails worldwide, providing detailed trail maps, user reviews, and navigation support for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Description
AllTrails.com is a tool for discovering hiking, biking, and running trails worldwide, providing detailed trail maps, user reviews, and navigation support for outdoor enthusiasts.
AllTrails.com can be a valuable resource for open source researchers as it provides location data, user-generated content, and real-time information about various trails. Examples include tracking the movement patterns of individuals of public interest who share their activities publicly, analyzing geospatial data, and gathering insights from user reviews and pictures posted on the platform. It can also assist in understanding the terrain and accessibility of certain areas.
Features
Map
Current Location: option to centre map at users location.
Zoom tool: zoom in and out on the map.
Layers:
Map Types: AllTrails, Road, Satellite, USGS topo (US only), Terrain, World parks, OSM, OCM
Map Details: Waypoints, Photos, Nearby trails, Distance markers, Heatmap, Weather, Air Quality, Light pollution, Pollen
3D view
Compass North - realign the map to compass north.
Search - for locations including nearby.
Explore Filter - Sort and filter by the following attributes distance away, activity, difficulty, length, suitability, More filters eg attractions, ratings, highest point, etc.
Elevation / Gradient - Individual Trail maps include a line graph of elevations on route.
Print - Individual Trail maps
Preview trails - Individual Trail maps
Explore
Trails - Curated AllTrails content and user-created Community trails
Individual Trails
Photos
Directions
Print
Share
Description
Conditions: weather forecast, expected ground conditions and mosquitos.
Reviews: user reviews include the user profile, text and star rating.
Activities: user activities in this area.
Completed: list of users who have completed the trail.
Route FAQs
Community
Local: see public user activity nearby.
Following: see activity from user's that you follow.
Engagement: Like and Comment on posts.
Connect: connect with other users.
Profile - users' personal profile and where they have made public contributions that can be seen on other people's profiles.
Favourites
Photos
Reviews: reviews the user has made.
Activities
Completed: trails users have completed
Followers
Following
Stats
Lists
User Profile
Feed: activities of people you follow.
Create Map: create a custom trail.
Language
Saved
Settings - location, Units (Imperial or metric), calorie counter info, link to Facebook, Google, Apple, Garmin
Example below shows search for Vondelpark Loop in Amsterdam:
Cost
Free Tier
Navigate on the trail
Favorite trails
Create lists
Paid Tier
Download offline maps
Get alerts for wrong turns
Live share activities
New Access 200+ Guides Know conditions before you go
Preview 3D Flyovers
Find trails by distance from you
Unlock more map details
Print maps for backup
Give back with 1% for the Planet
Level of difficulty
Requirements
Web: any modern web browser.
Mobile: iOS and Android
Email address: Email address for an account
Limitations
Subscription Fees: Some features require a paid subscription to access, see: AllTrails+
Offline Access: Offline maps are only available to Pro members, see: AllTrails+
User-Generated Content: Information can be inconsistent or outdated due to reliance on user reviews and submissions.
Coverage: Some trails might not be covered or accurately mapped in less popular regions. There is no generalised documentation on this and gaps in coverage will be found as you use the app.
Accuracy: AllTrails using crowd sourced data and has been criticised for accuracy issues see: The Problem With AllTrails and AllTrails.com Haters: The Problem isn’t the App, It’s Us
Ethical Considerations
Privacy: open source researchers should exercise responsibility when using All Trails data as not all users will be aware of the default privacy settings.
Stalking: All Trails provides information that can facilitate stalking behaviours. Open source researchers should be aware stalking is a prosecutable offence in most countries, for instance in the UK see sections 2, 2A, 4 and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (PHA 1997) and section 42A (1) Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Section 32 Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Guides and articles
To effectively use AllTrails, especially for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, the following resources are highly recommended:
Official Wiki
Tutorials and Articles
Cox, J. (2023) ‘AllTrails Data Exposes Precise Movements of Former Top Biden Official’, Vice, 8 March. Available at: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7b4zy/alltrails-data-exposes-precise-movements-of-former-top-biden-official (Accessed: 17 June 2024).
Getting Started with AllTrails+ Overview (2023) AllTrails Help. Available at: https://support.alltrails.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055345532-Getting-Started-with-AllTrails-Overview (Accessed: 17 June 2024).
Video Tutorials
How to Use AllTrails 2022 (2022). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcMm2bNwKME (Accessed: 17 June 2024).
How To Use the AllTrails App (For Beginners) (2022). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8lsGsHJsYo (Accessed: 17 June 2024).
University of Connecticut - MediaSpace (no date). Available at: https://kaltura.uconn.edu/playlist/dedicated/1_t2twtq81/1_x2lc8p54 (Accessed: 17 June 2024).
Developer Resources
Community and Support
Tool provider
AllTrails, LLC https://www.alltrails.com/ - USA
Advertising Trackers
Bellingcat Volunteer Team/Unassigned
Last updated
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