How does Vestigio work?

Time your outdoor route by scanning two QR codes: one at the start and another when you reach the finish. It works in your phone’s browser — no app to download.

Did you know there’s another way to use Vestigio? On some routes you can start and finish by geolocation, without scanning a QR. See how the Geo version works.

In short: 3 steps

1

Scan the start QR

At the trail or park starting point. You set up your attempt and press Start.

2

Do the route

Run, walk, or ride to the finish. You can put your phone away: the timer is already recorded in Vestigio.

3

Scan the finish QR

When you arrive, you scan the second QR. You see your time and your place on the route ranking.

On the ground you’ll see plates or signs like these (start and finish):

Start QR
Example start QR
Finish QR
Example finish QR

Step by step (in detail)

1

At the starting point

You arrive at the start of the route (hill, park, waterfront, etc.) and scan the first QR. You can do it two ways:

  • Phone camera: point at the QR and open the link that appears (it takes you to vestigio.app).
  • Vestigio scanner: if you prefer, use our reader from the menu (ideal on iPhone).
Open scanner
2

On the Vestigio screen (before you head out)

After scanning the start QR you’ll see the route name. There you complete this once per attempt:

  1. Identify yourself with your email (only the first time on that device; after that Vestigio recognizes you automatically). There is no password.
  2. Choose your discipline (running, bike, trekking, etc., depending on what that route offers).
  3. Press the green «Start» button within the 30 seconds shown on screen. That’s when your timer officially starts.
After Start you can lock your phone or put it away: you don’t need to keep Vestigio open while you do the route.
3

At the finish

When you reach the finish, you scan the second QR (finish) with the camera or scanner, same as at the start. Vestigio finds your open attempt, stops the timer, and shows your time.

Your time is saved in the cloud and you can see that route’s ranking: compare with other athletes and improve on your next visit.

View challenges and rankings

Frequently asked questions

No. Vestigio is a web app: you open the link in Chrome, Safari, or another phone browser. It’s not in the App Store or Google Play.

You have 30 seconds to tap Start after scanning the start QR. If time runs out, scan the start QR again to try once more.

Vestigio doesn’t use GPS: your time is validated by scanning the physical QRs at start and finish. That has two important consequences:
  1. The ranking is fair and verifiable, without depending on your watch or app accuracy.
  2. Vestigio doesn’t know where you went — we only know how long you took between the two points.
If you want to record your full track, you can run Vestigio and Strava at the same time: they complement each other.

On the Challenges page you’ll see the active routes. In each park or trail the QRs are installed at the start and finish points.

Yes. Open Vestigio and use the in-app scanner (not the phone camera). If you scan the start or finish offline, your time is saved on the phone and syncs automatically when you get signal back. For extra reliability, install Vestigio on your home screen. Note that the phone’s native camera needs a connection to open the QR.

Only your email (to recognize you) and a public alias. We don’t store your location, your track, your heart rate, or anything you don’t explicitly tell us when editing your profile. Your path between the start and finish QR never goes through our servers.

Why is it so simple?

No downloads

Just your browser and the camera to read the QR.

Time in the cloud

Your time is saved when you cross the finish.

Public ranking

Compete with the community on every route.

Your track is yours

We don’t use GPS or track your location.

Ready for your first challenge?

Find the start QR on your favorite route or explore the available challenges.

Scan QR View challenges