| Whether you're an experienced UK walker or simply | | | | without a compass. |
| a weekend enthusiast, it's vitally important that you | | | | To use a compass with your OS Map, follow these |
| equip yourself with a suitable map and compass, and | | | | simple steps: |
| that you familiarise yourself with the route you are | | | | 1)Align the map in the direction you are facing. Make |
| planning to follow. This preparation can save your life | | | | sure the landmarks on the map match what you are |
| should the elements conspire against you. | | | | seeing ahead of you. |
| Selecting a map | | | | 2)Adjust the orientating arrow on the compass to |
| Choosing the right map is important. Don't assume | | | | point to North on the map. |
| any map will do. Too little detail and you may find | | | | 3)Using the guidelines on your map, adjust the |
| yourself struggling to spot any recognisable | | | | compass housing to take into differences between |
| landmarks, too much detail and you may get | | | | grid north and magnetic north. |
| confused. Popular maps in the UK include the OS | | | | 4)Remove your compass from the map and start |
| Explorer Series and the OS Landranger Series. Both | | | | walking. |
| are excellent for walkers -but offer different benefits | | | | NOTE: It's important to use common sense to double |
| and drawbacks. These are briefly highlighted at the | | | | check that you are walking in the right direction, and |
| end of this article. | | | | that you check your bearings after each turning. |
| Understanding Your OS Map | | | | A Quick Recap |
| Once you've selected the map format of your | | | | It's incredibly easy to get lost when out walking. It |
| choice, it's important to familiarise yourself with your | | | | happens every day in the UK. People never expect |
| new map. Learn to recognise the various landmarks | | | | that they will find themselves lost, but thousands of |
| displayed, and the keys/symbols/legends used on the | | | | people do each year. Preparation is the most |
| map - along with their meanings. OS Maps are | | | | important factor to ensure you're not one of them. |
| incredibly detailed and offer a wealth of information | | | | Remember to equip yourself with a waterproof |
| to help you along your way. | | | | jacket and a fleece (or insulated jacket). It maybe |
| Also, make sure you know the scale of your map | | | | forecast for hot weather but in the UK weather |
| and learn to roughly calculate distances at a glance. | | | | invariably changes in an instance. Also make sure you |
| This will help you to plan your walk and to quickly | | | | are wearing suitable footwear. Pack sufficient fluids |
| alter your route should conditions change. | | | | and food for the journey and don't forget your map |
| Map Scale - Understanding Distances | | | | and compass! |
| Maps offer us a top down "birds-eye" view of the | | | | OS Explorer Maps vs OS Landranger Maps |
| earth. They are of course scaled down, but still | | | | OS Explorer is the most detailed folded paper map |
| maintain enough information to make them incredibly | | | | available from the Ordnance Survey. OS Explorer |
| useful. The most popular scale with walkers in the | | | | Maps are recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor |
| United Kingdom is the 1:25000, which equates to 1cm | | | | activities, including walking, horse riding and off-road |
| on the map equalling 250m in real-life. Others popular | | | | cycling. There are 403 maps in the series and each |
| scales include the 1:40000 and 1:50000. | | | | map provides information essential for the great |
| When you first plan your journey you must decide | | | | outdoors, including youth hostels, pubs and visitor |
| on a comfortable walking distance. Be sure to check | | | | information. Rights of way, fences, permitted paths |
| the weather for the day in question as you'll probably | | | | and bridleways are clearly shown, ensuring you have |
| cover less distance on a very hot day (or in bad | | | | the best information to get the most out of your |
| weather). Also take into account hills and gradients. | | | | time in the countryside. |
| TIP: Lay a piece of string along your route on the | | | | OS Landranger maps are all-purpose maps ideal for |
| map and mark the distance. You can then measure | | | | planning days out. Each of the 204 maps cover an |
| the length of string using the scale which is usually | | | | area 40 km by 40 km (25 miles by 25 miles) which |
| printed on the map. This helps to give you an | | | | makes them ideal for finding places of interest or |
| accurate distance. | | | | planning an outdoor activities. Landranger Maps |
| Using a Compass | | | | feature tourist information, camping and caravan |
| Maps are of little use if you don't know where you | | | | sites, picnic areas and viewpoints, selected places of |
| are and in which direction you are walking. In bad | | | | interest and rights of way information for England |
| weather, low visibility or areas with no distinguishable | | | | and Wales. |
| landmarks, it would be virtually impossible to navigate | | | | |