Hiking Maps

Maps, and the ability to read them accurately, are essential to the success and safety of any hiking expedition. Learning the skill of reading hiking maps is often a lengthy and difficult process for the beginner. Selecting the right map for the job, on the other hand, is far less complicated and will make your job as designated navigator much more straightforward!

Firstly, I would like to state the importance of investing on a proper map.

Often, if you're hiking in a national park you might come across visitor's centres where free leaflet-maps are available. Whilst these might make useful companions for your own map, they shouldn't be relied upon as your sole source of information. This is because professional-grade maps have an extra level of detail and accuracy that makes them invaluable if you become disorientated.

In the UK I like to use Ordnance Survey “Landranger” maps, on a 1:25000 scale for short to medium length hikes. I find that these maps provide the most intricate level of detail whilst still allowing you to navigate using trails and footpaths without undue difficulty. On particularly long treks (generally this applies to more advanced hikers) you may want to consider taking a 1:50000 OS Landranger along with the two corresponding 1: 25000 maps for added clarity.

In the USA, the map type with the best reputation amongst hikers is the USGS Topographical map. The best known of these are the 1:24000 scale topographical maps, of which there are 55000 made to cover the 48 conterminous states. There are other manufacturers who make similar maps, but they generally tend to be reproductions (if in different scales) of the USGS maps. That is of course presuming you will be hiking in state park/ wilderness areas. If you are planning to hike on roads, a simple road map (available from most gas stations) should suffice.

I'm not able to write an exhaustive list of hiking maps for other locations unfortunately, but rest assured that most search engines will provide you with the best options for maps of whatever area you like to hike in.

There are also online resources for viewing most major hiking maps online before purchasing, which can be a great help when route planning. I would still advise buying physical copies of the map rather than printing them due to the somewhat fragile nature of printing paper.