Create the right map for any journey
Creating personalised maps on your PC or mobile device is easier than you might think. We show you the way
Create a sightseeing tour
If you have a city break coming up, then creating a sightseeing tour before you leave is a great way to ensure you don’t miss anything while you’re there. Google Maps ( www.google.co.uk/maps) is a great tool for this.
Click the three horizontal lines (top left), ‘Your places’, Maps, then ‘Create map’ (at the bottom of the column). Type a name for your map where it says ‘Untitled map’ (‘New York City sights’ in our case) and add a description.
Next, type the name of the first location into the search bar and press Enter. A green pin will appear on the map. Click ‘Add to map’ (see screenshot below) to permanently pin this to your map. Search for further points of interest and add them to your map in the same way.
On our itinerary we wanted to create a list of restaurants to visit too. The best way to do this is to add a new layer. Click the ‘Add layer’ tool, then name it by clicking where it says ‘Untitled layer’, then add sights as before. Each layer can be displayed or hidden, so you can adjust your map depending on what you are doing. Untick any layer to hide its pins.
To complete your tour you’ll want to plot a walking route between each location. Click the ‘Draw a line’ tool (just below the search bar), then click ‘Add walking route’ (see screenshot above). Click the first sight in your itinerary, then the one nearest it. Google Maps will plot the best route between the two points. An entry for this route will appear on the right (just beneath your layers). Click Add Destination, then click the next point and repeat until you’ve created a route between your points.
To share your map, click Share (to the left of ‘Add layer’), then type your friend’s email address into the ‘Invite people’ box. To view your completed tour on your phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app, tap the three horizontal lines at the top left, ‘Your places’, Maps (you might have to scroll through the options at the top of the screen), then tap your tour.
Tame the great outdoors
Few serious ramblers would venture into the great outdoors without their trusty OS Map in hand, but it could soon be replaced by the OS Maps app (Android: http://www.snipca.com/25427, IOS: http://www.snipca.com/25428). It lets you browse nearby routes that other users have shared, and plot routes of your own.
To get started, tap Menu at the top left of the app, ‘Plot a route’, then choose the type of activity (from Walking, Running and Cycling). Tap the map to place a waypoint at your route’s starting location, then keep tapping to plot the route you intend to follow. Keep an eye on the information beneath your route to see the distance (in miles) and its elevation. When you’ve finished, click Save, name your route and add a description. To share your