How-to
How to understand achievements
Achievements are moments you unlock as you move along a trail. Some you can expect at a set point; others are surprise finds. Here is how they fit into your journey and what can change along the way.
Step 1
Achievements mark your progress and discoveries on a trail
Each trail can include achievements — names, pictures, and short stories tied to places along the route. As your recorded distance moves you forward, you can unlock them and see them in your journey history.
- They are part of the trail you chose, not something you buy separately.
- You will see what is listed on the trail before you start, so you know what kind of moments to look out for.
What to look for
On a trail before you start
- Look for the achievements area with the trail details.
- That list is your guide to what exists on that route.
Step 2
Certain achievements are the ones you can plan for
Some achievements are fixed milestones: once you have moved far enough along the trail, you earn them. These are the ones Virtualtrails can treat like clear checkpoints — including when you see how many you have unlocked out of the total listed for that trail.
- They line up with moving forward on the route, so reaching that part of the trail is what matters.
- When one unlocks, you may see a message like “Achievement unlocked!”
What to look for
In your journey summary
- Look for counts of achievements found compared to how many the trail offers — that summary focuses on these certain milestones.
- The map may show upcoming pins for this kind of achievement, where the trail is set up that way.
Step 3
Random achievements are surprise finds along the way
Other achievements are not guaranteed in the same way. You might be in the right part of the trail and still not see one every time, or you might get a pleasant surprise when you do. Think of them as optional extras you can discover while you walk — not a fixed checklist in the same sense as the certain ones.
- They can still be tied to a stretch of the route, but finding them is not as predictable.
- When one appears, you may see a message like “Random achievement!”
What to look for
When something unexpected unlocks
- Do not worry if the map does not point to these like fixed pins — that is normal.
- They still appear in your journey when you earn them, alongside your other unlocks.
Step 4
Your place on the trail — and how distance counts — affects when things unlock
Achievements follow your progress along the route. On some trails, the same walk can count for more or less distance along the route depending on where you are, which can shift when something unlocks compared to the raw number on your watch or app.
- Read how to log progress if you want the full picture on miles, kilometres, steps, and adjusted distance.
- If two people walk the same trail, their unlock order can still differ if their entries or adjustments differ.
What to look for
On the journey screen
- Check your overall progress and recent entries when an achievement timing surprises you.
- Remember that the trail’s own rules can change how far an update moves you.
Step 5
Where achievements appear once you earn them
New unlocks show up with your journey activity. You can open an achievement to read more, see pictures, and share when the trail allows it.
- Your journey history lists distance and achievements together so you can see what happened and when.
- Notifications may let you know when something new unlocks, depending on your settings.
What to look for
What to look for after a walk
- Look for the achievement name and details in your journey feed or summary.
- Use “Read more” or share links when you want to show someone what you found.
Step 6
Changing or removing distance can change what looks unlocked
Virtualtrails recalculates your journey from the distance you have saved. If you edit or delete an entry and your total moves back, an achievement you had earned might no longer apply until you move forward again.
- That is normal — the trail is rebuilt from your entries, not frozen in place.
- The achievement count shown as “found out of” on the trail is about the certain milestones, not every possible surprise find.
What to look for
If something looks wrong
- First check your list of entries on that journey.
- If you removed distance, expect totals and unlocks to update to match.