HOW NOT TO GET LOST

Learn to be more confident reading maps and orienting yourself on walks in the countryside with these tips from Ordnance Survey champion Fi Darby

Gain map-reading and compass skills with the help of OS champion Fi Darby.

The great British countryside and its villages and towns all have wonderful potential for discovery but, for many of us, exploring unknown spaces can be more daunting than exhilarating. If your urge to explore is stronger than your confidence in your navigation skills, read on.

Rural or urban, alone or with family, with just a few basic map and compass skills you can turn any simple stroll into a treasure hunt. You can also make sure everyone gets home safe and sound in time for tea.

READING A PAPER MAP

Although there are other options, by far the most popular UK walking maps are Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (with orange covers). At a scale of 1:25,000, these provide the amount of detail you need to be able to relate what you see in the landscape to the symbols on your map.

When you first open a map, all the lines and symbols can be confusing, but don’t panic. As you start to learn a few basic skills, your map will change from puzzle to useful exploration tool.

When learning to map read, make sure you familiarise yourself with your route – and the features along it – at home before you set off. Remember, the closer together the contour lines, the steeper the slope