Building a Modern Munro-Hiking Tracker: A Developer’s Journey

As an aspiring developer venturing into a new side project, I’m seeking guidance and feedback on my upcoming endeavor. While I’ve spent several years working within the web development domain—with experience spanning no-code/low-code platforms like Squarespace and Webflow, as well as a solid grasp of HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript—I feel ready to push my skills further and take on a more complex challenge.

Project Overview: Redefining Munro Tracking

I’m deeply passionate about hillwalking, particularly in Scotland, where I enjoy conquering the iconic Munros—peaks exceeding 3,000 feet. There are 282 such mountains, and many enthusiasts keep detailed logs of their ascents, often aiming to “bag” all of them.

Currently, existing websites serve this community, helping users track their progress and find relevant information about each Munro. However, these platforms—such as munromap.co.uk and munrobagger.scot—feel outdated or lack modern interactivity and user engagement.

My goal is to develop a sleek, single-page application that offers a more premium experience, with enhanced features, including social tools to compare Munro lists with friends, facilitate planning, and share achievements.

Technology Stack and Approach

To bring this vision to life, I’ve outlined a plan leveraging modern development tools:

• Frontend: Next.js combined with Tailwind CSS for a responsive, SEO-friendly landing of individual Munro detail pages.
• Mapping: Mapbox GL for accurate and interactive mountain mapping.
• Backend & Authentication: Supabase for database management, user authentication, and real-time capabilities.
• Hosting: Vercel for streamlined deployment and hosting.

Seeking Feedback and Advice

This project represents a significant leap from my current experiences, and I’m eager to ensure I’m on the right track. Is this tech stack suitable for building a scalable, interactive, and user-friendly app? Are there alternative solutions or best practices I should consider?

Any insights, suggestions, or additional ideas from experienced developers would be immensely appreciated. I’m excited to learn more and tackle this challenge head-on.

Thanks in advance for your support!