How-to
How team journeys work
A team journey lets you walk the same virtual trail with other people. You can pull together on one shared journey, or race side by side on the same route — the choice is in how the team is set up.
Step 1
A team journey is a trail you share with others
Instead of walking a route only on your own, you can connect a journey to a team. Everyone in the team is working on the same trail story, but Virtualtrails can either pool progress on one journey or give each person their own run at the route — depending on the mode you use.
- You still pick the trail first; turning it into a team journey is an extra step from your journey.
- The person who sets the team up chooses whether the group collaborates or competes.
What to look for
When you are ready to invite others
- Look for options to start or manage a team from your journey.
- You may see a way to invite friends once a team exists.
Step 2
Collaborative mode: one journey, one shared total
In collaborative mode the whole team works on a single journey. Every distance entry from team members feeds into the same progress bar, so you finish the trail together. It is about teamwork — shared milestones and encouragement while the total moves forward.
- You are not each racing separate totals; you are adding to one journey.
- The overview can show each person’s contribution alongside the overall distance to go.
What to look for
The collaborative overview
- Look for names and distances in a shared table, with a total for the team.
- The “to go” line reflects the whole group’s progress, not one person alone.
The per-person column shows raw distance from each member’s entries. Trail rules can still adjust how the shared journey total moves, so those numbers may not add up in a simple line-by-line way.
Step 3
Competitive mode: same route, your own race
In competitive mode everyone is on the same route, but each person has their own journey and their own distance. You can see who is ahead on a simple leaderboard — friendly rivalry while you each earn achievements at your own pace.
- Your distance does not merge into one shared total; you are compared side by side.
- Finishing first is about your own journey reaching the end of the route.
What to look for
The competitive overview
- Look for a ranked list with each person’s own distance.
- Medals or places show who is leading without mixing everyone into one number.
Step 4
Invites and joining the team
You can invite people from the team area on your journey. When someone accepts and becomes an active member, they can take part properly — in collaborative mode that means their walks add to the shared journey; in competitive mode they get their own journey on the route when they join in.
- Until someone is fully in the team, do not expect their distance to show like an established member.
- If you are invited, follow the link or prompt you were sent and complete any steps the app asks for.
What to look for
What to expect
- Look for an “Invite” control when you are allowed to manage the team.
- New members may appear in the overview once their membership is active.
Step 5
Achievements when you are in a team
In collaborative mode, achievements unlock on the shared journey as the group’s progress moves — everyone who is part of that journey can see the story unfold together. In competitive mode, achievements are earned on each person’s own journey, so you might unlock something at a different time than a teammate.
- Collaborative: think of achievements as milestones for the whole team’s trail.
- Competitive: think of achievements as personal moments on your own run of the route.
What to look for
Tied to how you play
- Check how to understand achievements for the difference between certain milestones and surprise finds.
- Notifications may go to everyone involved on a collaborative journey when something big happens.
Step 6
What to look for on the journey screen
The labels and panels tell you which mode you are in. Collaborative journeys highlight one total and the group; competitive journeys highlight order and separate distances. If you are ever unsure, open the team section on your journey and read whether it talks about working together or racing.
- Collaborative wording focuses on teamwork and a single journey to complete.
- Competitive wording focuses on each person’s progress and who is ahead.
What to look for
Quick check
- See “Collaborative journey” when the team shares one journey.
- See “Competitive journey” when each person has their own entry on the list.