Learn to read a map

Traveling is an adventure. Sometimes it is convenient for us to let ourselves go on an organized and planned trip, but other times it is what we really want is to go on our own, at our free will and without guide. For all those cases in which we have to move through unknown terrain, it is convenient that we learn to read the maps correctly. Who tells you that you will not need to guide yourself on your own with the only help of a map?

Moving around a foreign country without getting lost, especially if you do not master the local language, necessarily involves knowing how to understand a map and being able to guide you through it. Here we explain certain things basic that will help you achieve it without problems.

The scale and the legend

Not all maps are created equal. Among others, there are specials with routes to travel by highway, with tourist indications and places of interest, or special to walk through mountains and rural areas. You will have to choose the one that best suits your needs. First of all, orient yourself on the map looking for the north (which will be signposted). Then you will have to check scale (It is usually indicated at the bottom of the map). If the scale is 1: 150,000, it means that one unit on the map corresponds to 150,000 units in reality.

The next step is to learn to decipher the legend of the map, which is the one that will give you a lot of information. The symbols in the legend tell you how everything is represented on the map: for example, the blue lines that indicate the rivers, the red lines on the main roads, or the yellow lines on the secondary roads.

Maps for the mountain

The topographic maps They are very useful for hiking without getting lost or, simply, for walking in the countryside. It is important to learn how to use a map and a compass on the mountain.

On topographic maps, perfect for walking in the countryside, the mountains appear brown or green. Something you must learn to decipher on these maps is the contour lines, which indicate the orography of the terrain, since each line marks a height above sea level. If the terrain slope is very steep, the contour lines will be close together, and when the terrain is flatter, the lines appear farther apart.

How to Read a Topo Map (April 2024)