Nowadays, many hikers are apt to overlook the importance of basic backcountry navigation skills. With GPS devices, cell-phone apps, and digital maps at our disposal, the argument goes, old-school navigation methods are now all but redundant. Each of the above electronic devices, however, can be rendered useless by water damage, battery death, or signal loss. This being so, the ability to read a map and use a compass remains as vital today as it was for hikers in pre-digital times.
In addition to carrying a map and accurate compass on every hike, you should regularly brush up on your compass-reading skills by practicing in familiar environments.
And if you’re at all skittish about relying on a map and compass to find your way, you should consider bringing along a solid GPS device or a good hiking watch as backup. This is especially true when hiking in unfamiliar terrain.
Popular Navigation Posts
Best Hiking Watch For The Trail Less Traveled
Tired of fooling around with paper maps and/or losing your way on the trail? If so, it’s time to invest in a great hiking watch! In this guide, we show you 10 of our favorites.
Best GPS for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures: Our Top 9 Picks
Backcountry navigation is so much simpler with a GPS device. In this straight-talkin’, no-nonsense guide, we’ll be sharing reviews of our favorite GPS devices and helpful tips on how to choose the right model for your tastes and budget.
Best Compass for Hiking: 2023 Update
An essential for the outdoors, picking the best compass for hiking is simple with our hands-on reviews of the top models.
Latest Navigation Posts
Best Hiking Watch For The Trail Less Traveled
Tired of fooling around with paper maps and/or losing your way on the trail? If so, it’s time to invest in a great hiking watch! In this guide, we show you 10 of our favorites.
Best GPS for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures: Our Top 9 Picks
Backcountry navigation is so much simpler with a GPS device. In this straight-talkin’, no-nonsense guide, we’ll be sharing reviews of our favorite GPS devices and helpful tips on how to choose the right model for your tastes and budget.
Compass Declination: What is it & How Do You Adjust For It?
Unsure how to adjust for magnetic declination? Learn why it matters and how it’s done (with both an adjustable and non-adjustable compass) in this simple, straight-talking guide.
UTM Coordinates And UTM Grid Maps
In this guide, we teach you all the ins and outs of the UTM system, including what all those numbers mean and why this system is now becoming the go-to of hikers across the country.
Rock Cairns: What Are They (and What’s All the Fuss About)?
In recent years, a bit of a polemic has arisen over whether or not cairns are a force for good or bad. In this post, we provide a brief history of the cairn and delve deeper into the controversy.
Map Triangulation: Find Your Location (Easily & Accurately)
Learn the basics of how to locate your position using triangulation and you should never be lost for too long again!
Still Wanting More?
Click here to see all our articles on Navigation