New Hillwalking website

Theinsideman

Hi All,

I'm a keen hillwalker myself but I've been very frustrated with a lack of hill walking web sites that provide detailed trail routes. Few of the web sites allow members to submit their own trails.

So anyway I've gone ahead and created http://www.walkingroutes.ie and wanted to know what people thought. Its still in the early stages but if you take a look you should be able to see how it differs to existing Irish sites.

I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions. Not many trails on the site at the moment but the idea would be that a community of users would submit new trails.

Griffin87

this looks like a good site thank you for your work.

IrlJidel

Looks good.

Can you

1) on registration form increase maxlength size of email field from 20 ?
2) Add OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap as map layers ?

Thanks

Theinsideman

Hi IrlJidel, many thanks for your response. I've increase the email field to 50 characters. Good catch. Regarding OpenstreetMap I do intend on adding this in the furure... its on my ever growing to-do list. Thought I'd start off with Gmaps as this site is aimed at the 'average' user.

Thanks again for your help.

skipper756

Well done Insideman, great idea! I hope to upload some of our local walks in Foxford, Co Mayo very soon! Keep up the good work.

Mickeroo

Good work on the site, best of luck with it.

Theinsideman

Hi all,

thank you for the feedback and encouragement. Hopefully folks will find it useful.

Tabnabs

Like the QR code, very clever.

Theinsideman

Yea I thought that would be handy if people printed out a copy of a trail so they could share it etc.

keenan110

This looks like a great website, i'll add a few routes, hope lots of others do the same and it will grow nicely!

The Black Oil

Good work.

I registered on the site through my computer. I can't seem to login from my phone...when I click the login button it seems to sit there and nothing happens.

Theinsideman

The Black Oil wrote: »

Good work.

I registered on the site through my computer. I can't seem to login from my phone...when I click the login button it seems to sit there and nothing happens.

Sorry about that. You should be able to log in now.

Many thanks for the feedback.

budhabob

I've also registered on the site, but when I search it on my phone (android) I get the following "You do not have permission to open this page: http:\m.walkingroutes.ie".

Any theories on what I'm doing wrong?

Oh, and by the way, great site.

Theinsideman

Theinsideman wrote: »

Sorry about that. You should be able to log in now.

Many thanks for the feedback.

Any luck blackoil?

Theinsideman

budhabob wrote: »

I've also registered on the site, but when I search it on my phone (android) I get the following "You do not have permission to open this page: http:\m.walkingroutes.ie".

Any theories on what I'm doing wrong?

Oh, and by the way, great site.

Hi budhabob, looking at that error message it seems you may have entered in the website address incorrectly. if you type in walkingroutes.ie into your address bar it should automatically direct you to the mobile site.

Would appreciate if you can let me know how you get on.

budhabob

Theinsideman wrote: »

Hi budhabob, looking at that error message it seems you may have entered in the website address incorrectly. if you type in walkingroutes.ie into your address bar it should automatically direct you to the mobile site.

Would appreciate if you can let me know how you get on.

Hi Inside Man, I tried there again and I'm still getting the same error. Cant understand it really.

Tobias Greeshman

Theinsideman wrote: »

Hi budhabob, looking at that error message it seems you may have entered in the website address incorrectly. if you type in walkingroutes.ie into your address bar it should automatically direct you to the mobile site.

Would appreciate if you can let me know how you get on.

Your redirect code is pointing at http:/m.walkingroutes.ie instead of http://m.walkingroutes.ie on my android phone, adding the extra slash fixes it.

Theinsideman

Thanks all,

I've replaced my previous redirect code completely so it 'should' be working now.

Sorry for the hassle. Again if you can let me know if its working that would be great.

budhabob

Seems to be working now. Thanks.

Taltos

Hi - I messed up.
Incorrect spelling of a trail - cannot find how to change.Also - when I went into edit there is a function "Reload Original" - original is also misspelt - made me feel a bit better Guessing that was a test though....

Roselm

Looks great! Have just signed up.
I also noticed a spelling mistake on the "Contact" page on the word dealt.

fergusb

Great site, one thing which I think would be useful is the ability to import a walk. I've a few walks i've done plotted with GPS and have them on Google Maps. So it would be useful if I could create a route off these points.

Possibly an upload KML file option?

Keep up the good work!

Theinsideman

Hi All,

just wanted to let people know that if you've created a route using your phone or the website and want to tidy it up you just need to log in, find the route in question and hit the edit button.

Theinsideman

Hi All,

just wanted to let people know that if you've created a route using your phone or the website and want to tidy it up you just need to log in, find the route in question and hit the edit button.

Theinsideman

Roselm wrote: »

Looks great! Have just signed up.
I also noticed a spelling mistake on the "Contact" page on the word dealt.

Many thanks for pointing that out. I have fixed the spelling error.

Theinsideman

Taltos wrote: »

Hi - I messed up.
Incorrect spelling of a trail - cannot find how to change.Also - when I went into edit there is a function "Reload Original" - original is also misspelt - made me feel a bit better Guessing that was a test though....

Thanks again. I've fixed that spelling.

Theinsideman

fergusb wrote: »

Great site, one thing which I think would be useful is the ability to import a walk. I've a few walks i've done plotted with GPS and have them on Google Maps. So it would be useful if I could create a route off these points.

Possibly an upload KML file option?

Keep up the good work!

Hi Fergusb, I'm currently working on a tool which allows people to upload KML files. In theory this should be easy as the current system is all based of KML XML feeds.

Taltos

Have to admit I am loving this site. Have shared it with a few friends, a few of whom have come back and are planning to use it this weekend. Busily adding some of my local trails - can't wait to use some of the hidden gems in there.

Cheers OP - great idea.

Theinsideman

Taltos wrote: »

Have to admit I am loving this site. Have shared it with a few friends, a few of whom have come back and are planning to use it this weekend. Busily adding some of my local trails - can't wait to use some of the hidden gems in there.

Cheers OP - great idea.

Thank you Taltos, its great knowing people find the site useful. Did you create the Glen of the Downs trail? If so many thanks as I have wanted a trail for this area for a while but dont know the area well enough. Pretty bad considering I'm from Wicklow.

http://www.walkingroutes.ie/942-Glen-of-the-Downs-Wood---Octogon-Steep-Return-Trail.html

RustyNut

Griffin87 wrote: »

this looks like a good site thank you for your work.

+1

Fair play. Big fan of Mountainviews myself and use it a lot, and find their maps, descriptions, pictures, details, anecdotes, local history, organised walks etc. a great resource. But it possibly is geared more towards the hillwalker, the walks section there is perhaps one that they would like to have a few more entries and those that are there (certainly in the SW of the island anyway) lean more towards the peak bagger than the person who wants a stroll through woodlands. It strikes me that a forum is always useful though, can that be incorporated in your site?

Theinsideman

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair play. Big fan of Mountainviews myself and use it a lot, and find their maps, descriptions, pictures, details, anecdotes, local history, organised walks etc. a great resource. But it possibly is geared more towards the hillwalker, the walks section there is perhaps one that they would like to have a few more entries and those that are there (certainly in the SW of the island anyway) lean more towards the peak bagger than the person who wants a stroll through woodlands. It strikes me that a forum is always useful though, can that be incorporated in your site?

Hi Conor,

agreed mountainviews is a great resource but I guess i felt for the casual user its not very easy to get into.

Good idea on the forum, tbh i wasn't expecting such a positive response so I didn't initially think a forum was necessary but it seems i'll need to rethink that! There is a comments tab on each trail at the moment, so users can discuss the unique trails.

Taltos

Theinsideman wrote: »

Thank you Taltos, its great knowing people find the site useful. Did you create the Glen of the Downs trail? If so many thanks as I have wanted a trail for this area for a while but dont know the area well enough. Pretty bad considering I'm from Wicklow.

http://www.walkingroutes.ie/942-Glen-of-the-Downs-Wood---Octogon-Steep-Return-Trail.html

Few more trails in there - will add them in when I can cook them up - also loads on that hill I just don't know - will add in the alternate entrance later - or maybe just add it as a long walk to link to the Coolagad woods as there is no off road parking there

Tobias Greeshman

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair play. Big fan of Mountainviews myself and use it a lot, and find their maps, descriptions, pictures, details, anecdotes, local history, organised walks etc. a great resource. But it possibly is geared more towards the hillwalker, the walks section there is perhaps one that they would like to have a few more entries and those that are there (certainly in the SW of the island anyway) lean more towards the peak bagger than the person who wants a stroll through woodlands. It strikes me that a forum is always useful though, can that be incorporated in your site?

I'll +1 that forum idea.

Really like the photo's and comments on each trail, and the facebook/twitter integration as well.

How about adding the latest activity to the main page, so something like "so and so" commented on trail X, added trail, or posted a photo. So regular users to the site see new trails, comments, photos?

Theinsideman

Tobias Greeshman wrote: »

I'll +1 that forum idea.

Really like the photo's and comments on each trail, and the facebook/twitter integration as well.

How about adding the latest activity to the main page, so something like "so and so" commented on trail X, added trail, or posted a photo. So regular users to the site see new trails, comments, photos?

Oooh nice idea Tobias. I'll get on that straight away for the home page. If folks want a forum, then a forum they shall have

Theinsideman

Taltos wrote: »

Few more trails in there - will add them in when I can cook them up - also loads on that hill I just don't know - will add in the alternate entrance later - or maybe just add it as a long walk to link to the Coolagad woods as there is no off road parking there

Great, thanks again Taltos.

Micilin Muc

fergusb wrote: »

Great site, one thing which I think would be useful is the ability to import a walk. I've a few walks i've done plotted with GPS and have them on Google Maps. So it would be useful if I could create a route off these points.

Possibly an upload KML file option?

Keep up the good work!

Theinsideman wrote: »

Hi Fergusb, I'm currently working on a tool which allows people to upload KML files. In theory this should be easy as the current system is all based of KML XML feeds.

I second fergusb's suggestion!

I'd suggest a download/upload tool. ww.gpsies.com have a great one.

Download to and upload from a Garmin would be great. The formats used most commonly with Garmin devices are

.crs
.tcx
.gpx
.kml

Theinsideman

Micilin Muc wrote: »

I second fergusb's suggestion!

I'd suggest a download/upload tool. ww.gpsies.com have a great one.

Download to and upload from a Garmin would be great. The formats used most commonly with Garmin devices are

.crs
.tcx
.gpx
.kml

Thanks you Micilin Muc. For creating trails I was going to start with KML files and expand out to other formats over time. I'm writing all the code myself in my spare time so please bear with me.

Thank you for the file formats I tried looking into this but got conflicting info. Allowing people to download trails as files is a lot easier so I should be able to get this out sooner.

You think of contacting groups like Killarney National Park or Cork/Kerry tourism who might be happy to see any trails they have uploaded, I guess the more coverage the better. And in fairness you really give Kerry the cold shoulder! :D

dbloke

Hey Conor, I'm sure ye have a few Kerry walks you can add! Although they might need a couple of new categories - very hard and extreme!

I'll try to add some this weekend.

Taltos

Any idea why some map icons are now appearing with a large cross on them and what looks like a "high" threat indicator?

Have added one Kerry one - just cause besides Wicklow where I live - that is the county I want to live in.

Esroh

Great Site
Added a walk for Lough Coolin.
Lots of walks in Joyce Country/ South Mayo. Our Hills are not high but the area is worth showing off

The Black Oil

Theinsideman wrote: »

Any luck blackoil?

Yeah, I was able to login after you posted/fixed it, thanks. I'm still very new to smartphones, so apologies for the basic nature of the question, but is this an app or just a site you log on to each time at m.walkingroutes.ie?

Theinsideman

Taltos wrote: »

Any idea why some map icons are now appearing with a large cross on them and what looks like a "high" threat indicator?

Have added one Kerry one - just cause besides Wicklow where I live - that is the county I want to live in.

Hi Taltos, I cant see the cross icon your referring to. can u send a screen shot. it may have been a temporary issue on googles side.

Theinsideman

The Black Oil wrote: »

Yeah, I was able to login after you posted/fixed it, thanks. I'm still very new to smartphones, so apologies for the basic nature of the question, but is this an app or just a site you log on to each time at m.walkingroutes.ie?

Hi Black Oil, Its a mobile version of the site, designed to be easy to use on a smart phone. There is the added benefit of being able to record trails as you walk them with the mobile site.

Theinsideman

Deleted User wrote: »

You think of contacting groups like Killarney National Park or Cork/Kerry tourism who might be happy to see any trails they have uploaded, I guess the more coverage the better. And in fairness you really give Kerry the cold shoulder! :D

Hi Conor, no i didn't consider that. Not sure how I'd go about convincing local/nation authorities to use it though. I wouldn't have any contacts so it would be a case of just sending emails and hoping for a reply.

dbloke

dbloke wrote: »

Hey Conor, I'm sure ye have a few Kerry walks you can add! Although they might need a couple of new categories - very hard and extreme!

You say that like you never been there maaaaaan, but I seeeeeeen you...:D

Taltos

Theinsideman wrote: »

Hi Taltos, I cant see the cross icon your referring to. can u send a screen shot. it may have been a temporary issue on googles side.

Can't they have gone again - it was only one or two maps each time - guess it was just me. It was also only the icon - the map itself was still accessible.

Theinsideman

Taltos wrote: »

Can't they have gone again - it was only one or two maps each time - guess it was just me. It was also only the icon - the map itself was still accessible.

That sounds like an issue on Google maps side alright. I saw that once but it doesn't happen very often.

Theinsideman

Hi all, just so you know I have added a recent activity dashboard on the homepage.

Roen

The link in the header needs fixing. http://www.walkingroutes.ie/\