Clarification requested
A reviewer needs a specific detail or additional evidence before reaching a final outcome. Respond in the application and add only the requested supporting evidence.
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.
Review outcomes
Every decision has a visible next step.
Unable to verify
The available evidence did not support issuing the requested Verified Hikes record. This does not mean the hike did not occur. The decision closes this application to further uploads. There is no formal appeal process.
Contact support with the application reference if the decision contains a factual error or you want the registry to assess whether the review should be reopened. Refund eligibility is assessed under the published Refund Policy according to the review stage, clarification history, applicable law, and work completed.
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 50 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 ReviewedPrivate completion evidence was assessed by a Verified Hikes reviewer.
GPS Evidence ReviewedA GPS file or trusted activity record formed part of the evidence review.
Photo + GPS ReviewedPhotographic context and GPS or activity evidence both supported the review.
Partner ConfirmedAn approved partner confirmed completion through a defined workflow.
Authority ConfirmedA trail authority explicitly confirmed the record through an approved workflow.