Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about OnlineTrails, from game modes to GPS and scores.

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General

OnlineTrails is an interactive web platform for GPS-based city games, puzzle trails and real-time chase games. You can explore cities, solve puzzles and play against other teams — all via your phone, without installing an app.

Choose a city or game mode, sign up (free), and follow the route on your phone. You get questions and assignments at each location. You only need GPS access in your browser.

Yes, all trails are currently 100% free. You pay nothing to register, play or earn scores. In the future premium features may be added, but we will communicate that clearly.

Yes, you need a free account to play. That way we can save your progress, track scores and award badges. Registering is simple and quick via the registration form.

We have four game modes:
  • CityTrails — Interactive city walks with quiz questions
  • The Vault — Puzzle trails with a numeric code (crack the code within 2 hours)
  • The Hunt — Real-time GPS chase game for two teams (hunters vs. runners)
  • coming back soon: Kids Trails and Nature Trails

We have trails in 50+ cities in the Netherlands and Belgium. Check the overview on the homepage to see which cities are available.

Yes! You can switch the language to English at the top right of the menu. The whole site is then shown in English.

Tech & App

No, you don't need an app. Everything just works in your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on your phone. You only need to allow GPS access.

In principle it works on all iPhones and Android phones with a modern browser. On our test page you can check whether your phone is set up correctly. If you see your location there, you're ready to play!

Possible causes:
  • GPS is turned off on your phone
  • You haven't given the browser permission yet
  • You are using a VPN that masks your location
  • Your screen is locked (we recommend keeping your screen on while playing)
Try our test page to check whether it works.

Using GPS drains a bit of extra battery. We recommend charging your phone before starting a trail. Keeping the screen on also uses extra power.

No, you need an internet connection because the map and locations are loaded live. Make sure you have a mobile data plan or are in a WiFi area.

Game rules & Scores

Every correctly answered question earns 25 points. The more questions you get right, the higher your score. Scores are tracked per trail and totalled for the leaderboard.

After purchase you can do a trail once. You can play at your own pace and pause along the way.

No, you can do the locations in any order you like. On the map you see which locations there are and you choose where to go yourself.

In The Vault you get a series of puzzles and clues. Each correct solution reveals a digit of the vault code. Can you find all the digits and open the vault within 2 hours?

The Hunt is a real-time GPS game for two teams. One team (the runners) hides and can pick up 'coins' along the way. The other team (the hunters) tries to find the runners. The game uses a live chat function for confusing messages.

Badges are virtual rewards for special achievements, such as reaching a certain score, completing a trail or inviting a friend. You can view your badges on your profile and share them via a special link.

Yes! After completing a trail you can download or share a personal certificate. Go to your profile to view your certificates.

Account & Privacy

Click "Log in" at the top right and choose "Register". Enter your email address, a username and a password (at least 8 characters). After registration you can start playing right away.

Your password must be at least 8 characters long. Choose a strong password that you don't use for other websites.

There is currently no password recovery function. Send an email to info@onlinetrails.com and we'll help you further.

Go to "My account" and then "Delete account". After confirming with your password your data is deleted. Your scores remain on the scoreboard, but are anonymised to "Deleted player".

We store your username, email address, scores and game progress. Your location is only used while playing a trail and is not stored. Read our full Privacy Statement (at the bottom of every page) for more details.

Your username and scores are visible on the scoreboards. Your email address and other personal data are never shared with other players or third parties.

Friends & Social

You can invite friends via the friends function on your profile. You get a unique invitation link that you can share via WhatsApp, email or social media. For every friend who signs up via your link, you can earn a badge.

In CityTrails you play individually, but you can see each other's scores on the scoreboard. In The Hunt you play in two teams against each other. In The Vault you can work together to crack the vault code.

You can add other players as friends. Once they accept, you see each other's scores and achievements. This makes it easier to challenge and compare each other.

Calendar & Events

On the Events page you'll find a calendar with festivals, markets, concerts, exhibitions and other events in the cities where we have trails. Handy for combining your visit to a city with a trail!

It is currently not possible to submit events yourself. Send an email to info@onlinetrails.com with your suggestion and we'll look into it.

Other & Contact

You can report an error via the report button next to the question. We then get a notification and can check and improve the question. Thanks for helping!

  • Make sure your phone is charged
  • Give GPS permission in your browser
  • Keep your screen on while playing (locking stops GPS sharing)
  • Wear comfortable shoes — you're going for a walk!
  • Test your phone first on our test page
  • Combine a trail with a visit to a local event from our calendar

Send an email to info@onlinetrails.com or follow us on Instagram for the latest news and announcements.

The website is designed for use on smartphones with GPS, but you can also visit the site on a desktop/laptop to view trails, check scores and manage your profile. To actually play you need a phone with GPS.

For now we work via the browser, but a native app is a possibility in the future. Stay tuned for updates!

Most CityTrails run along paved paths in the city, but it can vary per city. Contact us for specific information about a trail.

Can't find your question?

We're happy to help. Feel free to send us a message.

info@onlinetrails.com