Creating a route
This is the main workflow for building an audio walk in Ravelun — from a blank route to something visitors can enjoy on their phone.
There are three ways to get started:
- Build it in the editor (this guide) — best for most people
- Import a JSON file from the routes list — good for copying or bulk work
- Import into an existing route from inside the editor — good for big updates
For file import, see Import & export.
The big picture
- Click New route and fill in the basics on the Details tab — then Save
- Add stops along the way
- Write intro and closing messages
- Optionally set the route on the map (when Show route on map is on — default)
- Add voice narration
- Choose who can see it and go live
Important: Your route isn’t saved until you click Save on the first tab. After that, you can add stops, audio, and map details.
Step 1: Open the editor
- Go to Routes in the menu
- Click New route
- You’ll see four tabs: Details, Messages, Waypoints, and GPX & Map
Start on Details.
Step 2: Fill in the basics (Details tab)
Where is this walk?
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| City | Required — e.g. “Bruges” |
| Country | Required — e.g. “Belgium” |
These show up for visitors browsing routes.
Which languages?
Tick every language you want to offer. For each language you’ll write:
- Title — the name of the walk (required in your main language)
- Description — a short pitch for the route page
- Tags — keywords to help people find it (e.g. “history”, “family”)
What kind of walk is it?
| Setting | What it means |
|---|---|
| Walking / Biking / Driving | How visitors are expected to follow the route; also affects how the map path is drawn |
| Allow choose start | Visitors can pick which stop to begin from |
| Show route on map (GPX) | On by default — shows the route line on the map and path-based navigation. Off = stops only |
| Close route loop (circle) | Only when map route is on — the generated path loops back to the first stop |
Price (optional)
Set a price if you’re selling the route. Leave at zero for a free walk. Currency defaults to euros.
Cover photo
You can add an attractive cover image after the first save. Choose something that represents the experience — a landmark, street scene, or map preview.
Organisation (Ravelun staff only)
Admins can assign a route to a partner organisation (e.g. a tourist office) or leave it as a Ravelun platform route.
Step 3: Save your route
Click Save.
Before saving, make sure you have:
- A title in your main language
- City and country filled in
After saving:
- The web address updates to include your route’s number
- You’ll usually be taken to the Waypoints tab automatically
- The route is stored as a draft — visitors can’t see it yet
Step 4: Add stops (Waypoints tab)
Stops are the places where something happens — a story plays, a photo appears, or the visitor learns something.
How to add a stop:
- Click Add waypoint, or
- Click directly on the map where the stop should be
For each stop, fill in:
- Title — short label (e.g. “Market Square”)
- Location — drag the pin on the map if needed
- Radius — how close a visitor needs to be to trigger the audio (30 metres is a good starting point)
- Story text — what they’ll hear or read
- Photo (optional) — a picture of the spot
- Audio — generate a voice with AI, or upload a recording
Add at least two stops before you can generate a route line on the map (when Show route on map is enabled).
→ Full detail: Waypoints
Step 5: Welcome & goodbye (Messages tab)
Three special messages shape the whole walk:
| Message | When it plays |
|---|---|
| Introduction | When the visitor starts |
| Final | When they finish |
| Off track | When they’ve wandered off the route line — only applies when Show route on map is on |
Write friendly, clear copy — and add voice audio the same way as for stops.
→ Full detail: Messages & audio
Step 6: GPX & stops (GPX & Map tab)
When Show route on map is off, use this tab to upload GPX and import stops — skip path generation.
When the map route is enabled, visitors see a line on the map. You can:
- Upload a GPX file if you already have a track from another tool
- Generate a path from your stops (needs at least 2 stops and a saved route)
- Click the map to place or move stops
The map also updates distance and duration automatically — unless you’ve typed those in manually on the Details tab.
→ Full detail: GPX & Map
Step 7: Add voice narration
For a polished experience, most stops and messages should have audio.
- Generate voice — uses Ravelun’s text-to-speech (set up under Settings → TTS by Ravelun staff)
- Upload audio — use your own recording or a professional voice-over
You can generate voices one stop at a time, or use bulk generate for all stops at once.
The AI write helper (in text fields) can help draft stories if you’re stuck — like having a copywriting assistant.
Step 8: Go live
When everything feels ready:
- Open the Details tab
- Set visibility — who can find the route (see Publishing)
- Set status to Published (partners and Ravelun staff only; editors send for In review instead)
Editors: mark your route In review when it’s ready and ask your partner owner or Ravelun contact to publish.
Quick checklist before publishing
- Title, city, and country look right in every language
- Cover photo uploaded
- At least two stops with stories (and ideally audio)
- A route on the map (if Show route on map is enabled)
- Introduction message written (and ideally voiced)
- Price set correctly (if it’s a paid route)
- Visibility matches your plan (public catalogue, your brand page, or link-only)
Alternative: import from a file
On the Routes list, click Import JSON and choose a file. Ravelun creates the route and opens the editor so you can review and finish.
Download the JSON template from the routes page if you’re preparing content in a spreadsheet or another tool first.
What’s next?
- Route editor — tour of every tab and button
- Publishing — draft vs published, and who can see what
- Import & export — backups and bulk workflows