Hikezilla Community Guidelines

Last updated: 25 February 2026

Our approach

Hikezilla exists to help people get outdoors, share knowledge and look after the places and people that make adventures possible. Beginners, experienced bushwalkers, runners, researchers, volunteers and builders all belong here. Criticise decisions or ideas respectfully; don't attack people.

1. Be welcoming and respectful

No harassment, bullying, threats, stalking, hate speech, discriminatory abuse, sexual harassment or unwanted repeated contact. Respect boundaries, including when someone declines a hike, introduction or private message. Disagreement about routes, safety or gear is welcome when constructive.

2. Share responsibly

Only post material you have the right to share. Give credit where due. Don't reveal someone's address, contact details, private messages, workplace, medical details, location history or identifiable photographs without appropriate permission. Be especially careful with minors and vulnerable people.

3. Outdoor safety and land stewardship

Follow lawful land access and closures, fire restrictions, cultural protocols and Leave No Trace principles. Avoid publishing exact coordinates of culturally sensitive sites, fragile habitats or restricted locations where doing so could cause harm. Don't encourage trespass, vandalism, unsafe imitation or deliberately misleading route advice. State relevant uncertainty in trip reports and distinguish personal experience from verified current conditions.

4. Events and organisers

Give accurate event descriptions and reasonable notice of changes. Follow event-specific rules and reasonable safety instructions. Don't misrepresent qualifications, insurance or Hikezilla affiliation. If an event is independently organised, say so. Report serious safety concerns to the organiser and appropriate authorities; Hikezilla reports are not an emergency service.

5. Honest achievements and contributions

Do not falsify Strava/GPX evidence, volunteer work, challenge completion, referrals, points claims or reward eligibility. Do not create duplicate accounts to manipulate awards. Share genuine accomplishments without gatekeeping or mocking less experienced members.

6. Forum, Journal, Insights and Projects

Be clear when advice is opinion or based on limited evidence. Attribute sources, respect data and software licences, and correct significant errors when identified. Do not submit plagiarised articles, misleading datasets, infringing photographs or undisclosed promotions. A project listed in Hikezilla's directory is not automatically endorsed or open source.

7. Network, jobs and messages

Use introductions and messaging for genuine community/professional connections. No spam, mass unsolicited recruitment, scams, fake job offers, coercive pitches or harassment. Do not pressure members to share personal contact information or meet privately.

8. Promotions and conflicts of interest

Disclose material sponsorships, affiliate relationships, gifted products or other incentives where relevant. Hikezilla currently reports no affiliate monetisation; this rule applies to all contributors and any future partnerships.

9. Reporting and moderation

Use available report/block tools or email hello@hikezilla.com. Include relevant links and a concise explanation; do not publicly pile on. We may review reports, request edits, remove content, restrict accounts or refer urgent concerns to authorities as appropriate. We do not promise to review every post before publication. Serious action may be taken without advance warning where necessary; affected members may request a review by email. Moderation decisions should be proportionate and applied consistently.

10. Keep the outdoors accessible

Good gear can make you safer; expensive gear doesn't make you safer or more experienced. Respect different goals, abilities and styles of adventure. Guided walks, solo expeditions, local strolls and ambitious traverses can all be meaningful.

These Guidelines supplement the Hikezilla Terms of Use and may be updated with reasonable notice. Contact: hello@hikezilla.com.