Navigating the UK using Ordnance Survey Maps

Whether you're an experienced UK walker or simply a weekend enthusiast, it's vitally important that you equip yourself with a suitable map and compass, and that you familiarise yourself with the route you are planning to follow. This preparation can save your life should the elements conspire against you.

Selecting a map

Choosing the right map is important. Don't assume any map will do. Too little detail and you may find yourself struggling to spot any recognisable landmarks, too much detail and you may get confused. Popular maps in the UK include the OS Explorer Series and the OS Landranger Series. Both are excellent for walkers -but offer different benefits and drawbacks. These are briefly highlighted at the end of this article.

Understanding Your OS Map

Once you've selected the map format of your choice, it's important to familiarise yourself with your new map. Learn to recognise the various landmarks displayed, and the keys/symbols/legends used on the map - along with their meanings. OS Maps are incredibly detailed and offer a wealth of information to help you along your way.

Also, make sure you know the scale of your map and learn to roughly calculate distances at a glance. This will help you to plan your walk and to quickly alter your route should conditions change.

Map Scale - Understanding Distances

Maps offer us a top down "birds-eye" view of the earth. They are of course scaled down, but still maintain enough information to make them incredibly useful. The most popular scale with walkers in the United Kingdom is the 1:25000, which equates to 1cm on the map equalling 250m in real-life. Others popular scales include the 1:40000 and 1:50000.

When you first plan your journey you must decide on a comfortable walking distance. Be sure to check the weather for the day in question as you'll probably cover less distance on a very hot day (or in bad weather). Also take into account hills and gradients.

TIP: Lay a piece of string along your route on the map and mark the distance. You can then measure the length of string using the scale which is usually printed on the map. This helps to give you an accurate distance.

Using a Compass

Maps are of little use if you don't know where you are and in which direction you are walking. In bad weather, low visibility or areas with no distinguishable landmarks, it would be virtually impossible to navigate without a compass.

To use a compass with your OS Map, follow these simple steps:

1)Align the map in the direction you are facing. Make sure the landmarks on the map match what you are seeing ahead of you.

2)Adjust the orientating arrow on the compass to point to North on the map.

3)Using the guidelines on your map, adjust the compass housing to take into differences between grid north and magnetic north.

4)Remove your compass from the map and start walking.

NOTE: It's important to use common sense to double check that you are walking in the right direction, and that you check your bearings after each turning.

A Quick Recap

It's incredibly easy to get lost when out walking. It happens every day in the UK. People never expect that they will find themselves lost, but thousands of people do each year. Preparation is the most important factor to ensure you're not one of them.

Remember to equip yourself with a waterproof jacket and a fleece (or insulated jacket). It maybe forecast for hot weather but in the UK weather invariably changes in an instance. Also make sure you are wearing suitable footwear. Pack sufficient fluids and food for the journey and don't forget your map and compass!

OS Explorer Maps vs OS Landranger Maps

OS Explorer is the most detailed folded paper map available from the Ordnance Survey. OS Explorer Maps are recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities, including walking, horse riding and off-road cycling. There are 403 maps in the series and each map provides information essential for the great outdoors, including youth hostels, pubs and visitor information. Rights of way, fences, permitted paths and bridleways are clearly shown, ensuring you have the best information to get the most out of your time in the countryside.

OS Landranger maps are all-purpose maps ideal for planning days out. Each of the 204 maps cover an area 40 km by 40 km (25 miles by 25 miles) which makes them ideal for finding places of interest or planning an outdoor activities. Landranger Maps feature tourist information, camping and caravan sites, picnic areas and viewpoints, selected places of interest and rights of way information for England and Wales.