Learning to read maps

[Outnabout]

Any good websites or YouTube videos on where to learn to read maps, one that I can learn to find my way out of the hills if it ever comes to that.

[Ben Nachie]

This very website has a whole section about such things.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/safety/

[rodderss]

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/navigation-basics.html

Have a look at the link

[Mal Grey]

Some useful stuff on the Ordnance Survey site too: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/resources/map-reading/

[HedleyP]

Check out Glenmore Lodge on YouTube then just go from there by watching relevant videos YT surfaces for you.

https://www.youtube.com/user/glenmorelodge

I thought I was quite good at reading a map and navigating but went out with someone who is very good and I realised I have an aweful lot to learn.

[Robinho08]

The OS website has some good map reading videos as does the BMC.

http://tv.thebmc.co.uk/videos/?channel=walking-skills

[Outnabout]

This very website has a whole section about such things.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/safety/

Just had a quick look, exactly what I'm looking for thanks.

[Outnabout]

All good suggestions, lots to look at before our next hike in 3 weeks thanks all.

[Coop]

Straight from the top tip book - remember and orientate the map to the way you are travelling
.
Good luck out there
And enjoy

[Caberfeidh]

Hillwalking and Scrambling by Steve Ashton is an excellent book for reading up on map-reading and various other aspects of our hobby/lifestyle. You will soon be reading maps like other people read magazines and books...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hillwalking-Scrambling-Steve-Ashton/dp/094628458X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521534292&sr=1-1&keywords=Hillwalking+and+Scrambling+by+Steve+Ashton&dpID=31btNN8AQ6L&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

[Outnabout]

Printed off a map of the Merrick for this weekend but on A4 it's absolutely terrible can barely make out the contours never mind anything else. What's the best format to view and print maps in? Thanks

[prog99]

Which mapping source?
I print OS maps a lot on a colour printer and they always come out fine.

[Mal Grey]

Printed off a map of the Merrick for this weekend but on A4 it's absolutely terrible can barely make out the contours never mind anything else. What's the best format to view and print maps in? Thanks

For printing I use OSMaps online. Once I've found the location I want, and chosen either 1:25k Explorer (orange on the side bar) or 1:50k Landranger (pink on the side bar), I go to print, choose Print to Scale and more often Landscape, then preview before printing.

The tricky bit is making sure you've got the section you want to print, and it can take a bit of faffing around re-lining it up, and need several A4 sheets to cover a planned walk. Always print a bit extra to the sides of your route to ensure any accidental wanders off route, or escapes due to weather/issues, can be covered by the map too.

If this isn't giving you enough visible detail, you may need to use a better printer. Its also good to laminate them if you can, printed maps don't last long in poor weather. If you can't print spares.

[Outnabout]

I used the view/print maps link on this site

[Mal Grey]

I used the view/print maps link on this site

Are you in 1:25k scale? Depending on the route, I think the Walkhighland maps will choose the zoom automatically rather than choose the actual scale. If so, to get the right scale, and have the contours spaced to be visible, might take a bit of trial and error, and need a few sheets of A4 to cover it. What route are you trying to print?

EDIT. In fact, I think its choosing the open source mapping more often than the OS 1:25, so isn't as clear. It only goes 1:25 when I zoom in quite close, and then is "too big" to fit. Not sure how easy this is to change, as mentioned I use OS Maps.