by Tim Guy

Created on: May 22, 2008   Last Updated: May 30, 2008

OK then! You've decided you want to go hiking? Excellent. Here is an instructional guide on how to use and read a topographical map to get from A to B and also how it can help you when you're lost.

This guide will be sectioned into the following sub-categories:

Differences between normal maps and topographical maps.
Scales and which map to use.
Basic map symbols.

Features of the maps that are there to aid navigation.
How to plan a route.
Route cards.
Triangulation.
Safety on the fells and mountain paths.
What to look out for.

Differences between normal maps and topographical maps.

There are a few main differences between road maps and topographical maps the main one being that they are produced for completely different purposes! If you were going on a road trip you may purchase a road map but as you're going hiking you need a topographical map, otherwise known as an O.S map.
O.S maps are extremely details plans of the earth's surface which are drawn to scale and will normally have the following features:

The names of important places and locations.

Standard symbols to show the location of key landmarks and features.

A key, or a legend, to explain what the symbols on the map mean.

A scale and scale bar to allow you to measure distance on the map and
Convert it to the actual distance on the land.

A grid system of lines to allow you to pinpoint your location, orientate
your map to the land and quickly estimate distances.

Contour lines to show relief (the height of the ground above sea level)
And the steepness of the land

Scales and which map to use.

You need to understand that each map is to scale. This means (on a very simple scale) that a mountain that is one kilometer wide will be represented and one centimeter on the map.
Map makers produce different scales for different purposes, for example the Royal Artillery would use a different map to the Royal Air Force. Just as hikers will use a different map than search and rescue teams would if they were out on the hills looking for some-body.

Anyway, if you are going hiking then the average map will have a scale of 1:50,000. This means that one centimeter on the map is equal to half a kilometer on the ground, at this scale individual building and field boundaries are not marked and buildings are blocked together. There is a slightly larger scale which is 1:25,000 where a centimeter equals a quarter of a kilometer.
Either of these scales are ideal for hiking and hill walking and although there are even larger scales available

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