Introducing a Mobile Application with Suitable Hiking Routes Created Using Geographic Information System to Promote Hiking Tourism: The Case of Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka

This study presents a robust methodology for discovering and classifying novel hiking trails within mountainous terrains, which are subsequently ranked based on their suitability for hiking and their difficulty level. The identified routes are then introduced to the broader hiking community through the innovative use of a mobile application. The ultimate objective of this research is to bolster hiking tourism. To validate the methodology, a real-world experiment was conducted in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) located in Sri Lanka. An impressive number of 60 distinct trails were successfully identified within HPNP's terrain, with each trail's suitability and difficulty meticulously calculated. The study revealed that among the 60 trails uncovered, 12 pose moderate challenges to hikers, while the remaining 48 are characterized by low difficulty. We refined the selection by choosing five trails from each difficulty level based on the highest suitability scores. In collaboration with domain experts, we developed a user-friendly mobile application to showcase the selected trails. These trails were stored in the Google My Maps platform, which was integrated with our mobile application, facilitating seamless access of trail data. Additionally, this integration enables the usage of the Google Maps application for offline navigation along the trails, utilizing GPS technology for accurate positioning. This research has accomplished its intended goal, evidenced by the successful identification of new hiking routes within Horton Plains National Park using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology, and the creation of a mobile application featuring the most suitable hiking trails.