Cistercian Route launches new app for visually impaired visitors

The Blind Explorer tool uses 3D sound and satellite navigation to guide users autonomously and safely.

Generic image of a smartphone with a navigation app in a natural setting near a monastery.
IA

Generic image of a smartphone with a navigation app in a natural setting near a monastery.

The regional councils of Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà, and Urgell have launched a mobile application to make the Cistercian Route accessible to people with visual functional diversity.

The new tool, called Blind Explorer, allows users to explore the surroundings of the Cistercian monasteries using 3D sound technology and satellite navigation. Supported by the ONCE Foundation, the digital solution works even in areas without mobile coverage, ensuring hiker safety at all times.
These adapted itineraries complement the GR 175 route with paths specifically designed for safety. Experts recommend using bone conduction headphones, which allow users to hear acoustic navigation cues while keeping the ear canal open to ambient sounds.
This project is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, supported by the European Union through Next Generation EU funds. The app is free to download on Google Play and the Apple Store.