Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2026

Ridge Line Hiking ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit ridgelinehiking.com (the "Site"). By using the Site, you agree to the practices described below.

1. Information We Collect

We collect limited information to operate, improve, and personalize your experience on our hiking and outdoor sports content platform. The categories of information we collect are described below.

1.1 Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. We use the following categories of cookies:

Essential cookies: Required for the Site to function properly, such as remembering your cookie consent preferences, enabling page navigation, and ensuring basic security. These cannot be disabled.
Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with the Site (e.g., pages viewed, time spent, traffic sources) so we can improve our content and user experience. We may use services such as Google Analytics, which process data in aggregated and anonymized form where possible.
Affiliate cookies: When you click an outbound link to one of our partner retailers (such as gear shops or outdoor equipment vendors), an affiliate cookie may be set by the partner. This allows the merchant to attribute a qualifying purchase to Ridge Line Hiking so we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We do not receive your payment details or personal account information from these partners.

You can manage or withdraw your consent at any time through our cookie banner or your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect Site functionality.

1.2 Usage Data

We automatically collect information about how you interact with the Site, such as pages visited, links clicked, referring URLs, search terms used on the Site, and the date and time of your visit. This information helps us measure performance and improve our hiking guides and product recommendations.

1.3 Device and Technical Information

We may collect technical information about your device, including IP address (truncated or anonymized where required by law), browser type and version, operating system, device type, screen resolution, and approximate geographic location (country or region level). This data is used for security, troubleshooting, and to ensure the Site displays correctly across devices.

1.4 Newsletter Subscription (Optional)

If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, we will collect your email address. Subscription is entirely optional and based on your explicit consent at the time of sign-up. We use your email solely to send you trail guides, gear reviews, seasonal hiking tips, and occasional promotional content related to outdoor sports.

You may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email we send, or by contacting us directly. Unsubscribing will not affect your ability to use the rest of the Site.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above for the following purposes:

To operate, maintain, and secure the Site;
To analyze traffic and improve our content, layout, and recommendations;
To track affiliate referrals and calculate commissions earned from partner merchants;
To send newsletter emails, where you have consented;
To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use;
To detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, or technical issues.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Consent: For non-essential cookies (analytics, affiliate tracking) and newsletter subscriptions.
Legitimate interests: For ensuring Site security, preventing fraud, and analyzing aggregate usage to improve our service, provided your rights and freedoms are not overridden.
Legal obligation: Where processing is required to comply with applicable laws.

4. No Sale or Trade of Personal Data

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal data to third parties for their independent marketing purposes. We do not share your email address with advertisers, data brokers, or unaffiliated third parties.

The only third parties with whom we share limited data are service providers that help us run the Site (such as hosting, analytics, and email delivery providers), who are contractually bound to process data only on our instructions and in accordance with applicable law.

5. Affiliate Partnerships

Ridge Line Hiking participates in affiliate programs with outdoor gear retailers and sports equipment vendors. When you click an affiliate link, you are redirected to the partner's website, which operates under its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy practices of any third-party site you visit. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external websites.

6. Your Rights

6.1 Rights Under the GDPR

If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

The right to access the personal data we hold about you;
The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
The right to request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten");
The right to restrict or object to processing;
The right to data portability;
The right to withdraw consent at any time;
The right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

6.2 Rights Under the CCPA

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA:

The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose;
The right to request deletion of your personal information;
The right to correct inaccurate personal information;
The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (note: we do not sell or share your personal information as defined under the CCPA);
The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is typically retained in aggregated or anonymized form for up to 26 months.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries outside your country of residence, including countries that may have different data protection standards. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses to protect your data during international transfers.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:

Website: ridgelinehiking.com
Email: privacy@ridgelinehiking.com