A track's UID is its Unique IDentification number.

The best way to think of UIDs is simply as a method of naming track sections. The UID provides a single, consistent way of numbering track lengths that can be calculated from only the position of that track. Remember that any route, way or green lane may be made up from a number of track lengths, connecting together at junctions or other significant points.

The UID consists of two parts; an geographic ID, and a single number appended to the ID to ensure that each UID is totally unique. The geographic ID part is a simply derived system of numbering lanes, that can be calculated by TrailWise (or any other system) from just the start point of a track. It is simply the OS reference for the 1km grid square containing the most westerly or southerly end of the track; example if a track runs west from grid ref ST 235 787 its UID would begin ST2378-.

More than one track section may start within the same 1km square, so a two-digit number is appended to the geographic ID to make sure it is truly Unique, to give the full UID - example ST2378-01. These numbers are assigned automatically by the system as each new track is introduced to TrailWise, starting from '-01'.

Although the UID is based upon the Ordnance Survey National Grid System, it does not fully describe the location of a route to a sufficient extent to establish where both the start and end of that route are located. Therefore TrailWise provides Quick Find facilities to display more info about a track, given its UID. More info on Quick Find in 'Quickfind' FAQ

TrailWise UIDs are closely related to, but not identical to, the obsolete UIDs used in the predecessor Wayfinder system. If you have one of these old references you can still use it in TrailWise's Quick Find facility.