1
INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION
Reading a map is an essential skill for planning a walk and for
knowing where you are.
You don’t need to be able to use a compass to lead a low level
walk, but it can help. It is however essential to be competent in
using a compass for leading remote and challenging walks.
2
MAPPING
BASICS
3
MAP TYPES
1:50000 Landranger
1:25000 Explorer
Best to check date of issue as landmarks can
change over time. Other maps are available, such as
Harvey's.
4
5
6
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!
WHERE AM I?
Give everyone 4 or 5 Grid References from the map
and ask them to identify what they find there
7
MEASURING SCALE
1:25 000 OS Explorer
1:50 000 OS Landranger
It might help you to remember that the larger the number in the
scale, the smaller the scale of the map will be.
8
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!
MAP SYMBOLS
Split into groups and identify
the symbols
9
CONTOURS
How high is each hill?
Contours closer together at top
Contours closer together at bottom
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!
12
13
MAP FEATURES
PARTS OF A COMPASS
14
15
ALIGNING THE MAP WITH THE REAL WORLD
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(bridge)
(building)
17
Read the
bearing
off here
18
To follow the bearing:
19
MEASURING DISTANCE
Grid squares
String method
Straight edge
Map measurer
20
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!
FIND YOUR WAY
Give everyone 3 or 4 end points and ask them to identify what
they are, the distance from each start to each end point and
the bearing between them
EXAMPLE
START POINT GR X
WHAT IS FOUND THERE?
END POINT GR Y
WHAT IS FOUND THERE?
BEARING FROM X TO Y
AND DISTANCE
438005
High House
405013
Youth Hostel at High
Cross Castle
285 degrees
3.38 km
21
TIMING YOUR WALK
When looking at timings for your walk consider:
• walking speed (vary with terrain, stiles, party etc)
Kph
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
mins per km
20
17
15
13.3
12
•
Climbing hills – Naismith’s rule 30 mins extra per
300m ascended (1 min per 10m contour line)
•
Stops, including comfort breaks, lunch, etc…
•
Contingency
22
FURTHER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT
More advice and guidance can be found at the walk leaders
pages of the Ramblers website:
www.ramblers.org.uk/Volunteer/AreaGroup/Resources/Led+Walks.htm
or email ledwalks@ramblers.org.uk
Thanks to all Ramblers groups whose websites were the source of some of the pictures.