Map your travels

Have you ever returned from a trip and wished there were an easier way to show your friends and family the exact route you took on your journey? Check out Wikiloc, one of three winners of the 2009 Geotourism Challenge, sponsored by Ashoka’s Changemakers and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations.

Wikiloc allows communities to create their own maps of points of interest and georeferenced trails, and display them online and in Google Earth. Travelers can choose existing maps or trails based on destination or activity (including diving, kayaking, hiking or bicycle touring). Or, make your own map, based on your travels.

Jordi Ramot started Wikiloc from a desire to find an easy way to map weekend outdoor routes to share with friends. He uses the site to dream about upcoming trips. “Like most people, I’ve many trails and places that are high in my ‘must-see’ list,” said Ramot. “I wish Wikiloc will be used as a tool that motivates people to travel more and stay more time in the outdoors and at the same time an effective channel to promote and give visibility to interesting and emerging destinations.”

To date, there are 140,000 trails (in 17 languages), as well as 210,000 photos and videos. I’ve got my eye on the Jasper Skyline Trail, but I’m also planning to track my kayak route on my next trip. Can you find some inspiration in Wikiloc, whether it’s an existing trail or something new?