How TrailGuider handles information

Effective August 7, 2026. TrailGuider is an independently operated U.S.-based website. This policy explains the limited information used to provide and protect the site and the choices available to visitors.

What information do you provide?

The trip planner accepts airports, dates, city order, luggage and travel preferences. TrailGuider uses those inputs to produce a route assessment. No account is required, and TrailGuider does not ask for a traveler's name, passport, payment card or booking credentials.

If you email TrailGuider, the message may include your email address, name or signature, message content and any attachments you choose to send. Please do not include payment information, identity documents or other sensitive personal information.

What stays in your browser?

The full trip-planning form stores a functional draft in your browser's local storage so you can continue planning on the same device. Planner pages may also carry the trip inputs in the page URL while you move between steps. These values can remain in browser history until you clear them.

You can remove the saved draft and local browser history through your browser controls. Clearing the draft does not remove an email you previously sent to TrailGuider.

What technical information may be processed?

Hosting, content-delivery and security systems may process an IP address, browser or device information, request time, requested page, referring page and error or security events. TrailGuider also uses limited request information for short-lived rate limiting and records operational events such as a request identifier, processing time, coverage and the resulting assessment category. The application does not intentionally place the complete trip input in its operational event log.

Does TrailGuider use analytics or advertising trackers?

TrailGuider does not currently run analytics, advertising pixels, advertising cookies or on-site affiliate tracking scripts. It may add analytics, advertising or affiliate technologies in the future. This policy and any required consent or preference controls will be updated before those technologies are activated.

Map and transportation providers may use their own necessary technologies when their services load. Their handling of information is governed by their own policies.

How is information used?

To calculate and display a requested trip assessment.
To load maps and obtain configured transportation evidence.
To maintain, diagnose, secure and prevent abuse of the site.
To answer questions, corrections, privacy requests and commercial inquiries.
To comply with legal obligations and protect TrailGuider or others.

When is information shared?

Information may be processed by categories of providers that support hosting, content delivery, email, security, maps and transportation evidence. Route endpoints, dates or related planning inputs may be sent to a configured transportation provider when needed to answer a request. TrailGuider does not send those providers a user account because the site does not create one.

Information may also be disclosed when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to a valid legal request, investigate abuse or protect rights and safety. TrailGuider does not currently sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Which third-party services are relevant?

Depending on configuration and availability, TrailGuider may use Google Maps Platform, Google Routes, Transitland and OpenRouteService to display maps or obtain transportation evidence. Using Google Maps features is also subject to the Google Maps/Google Earth Additional Terms and the Google Privacy Policy. External links, booking sites and transportation operators maintain their own privacy practices.

How long is information retained?

Technical logs and contact emails are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the service, security, editorial records, legal obligations and legitimate business needs. Retention may vary by record type. Information is deleted or anonymized when it is no longer needed, subject to backup, legal and security requirements.

What choices and privacy rights do you have?

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to ask about, access, correct or delete personal information, or to object to or restrict certain uses. Submit a request through the contact page. TrailGuider may need enough information to verify that the request concerns you.

Because TrailGuider does not currently sell personal information or run cross-site behavioral advertising, it does not currently take a separate action in response to Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signals. This section will be updated before relevant tracking or data sharing is introduced.

Is TrailGuider intended for children?

TrailGuider is a general travel-planning site and is not directed to children under 13. TrailGuider does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. A parent or guardian who believes a child has provided information can contact TrailGuider to request deletion.

Where is information processed?

TrailGuider is operated from the United States. Visitors outside the United States should understand that information may be processed in the United States and in locations used by service providers, subject to applicable safeguards and law.

How will this policy change?

TrailGuider may update this policy when its services, providers or legal obligations change. The effective date at the top will be revised for a material update. Where appropriate, an additional notice will appear on the site before a material change takes effect.

How can you contact TrailGuider about privacy?

Email contact@trailguider.com or use the contact page for a privacy request.