How The Verified Hikes Registry protects trust and privacy.
Verified Hikes issues independent evidence-reviewed certificates. Public verification confirms safe metadata while raw evidence stays private.
How verification works
A reviewer checks submitted proof before certificate issue.
Verification levels
Evidence, GPS, photo + GPS, partner, and authority levels are clearly separated.
Accepted evidence
GPS files, activity links, photos, stamps, permits, guide confirmation, and partner claim codes.
What stays private
Uploaded GPS, photos, documents, payment details, emails, and reviewer notes.
Signatures and fingerprints
Certificates store SHA-256 hashes and registry-signed metadata.
Revocation and reissue
Historical records stay verifiable and link to replacements where public.
Evidence retention
Retention windows are configurable and purge jobs preserve non-sensitive audit facts.
Abuse reporting
Report suspicious or incorrect certificates for review.
Partner confirmation
Partner and authority wording is only used when the record explicitly supports it.
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.