One very essential skill for hikers and backpackers is knowing how to find your way in unfamiliar territory. Early in my hiking years, I would primarily rely on following the person ahead of me or checking the occasional signpost. It felt easy—until the signpost was missing, or the trail became faintly visible under a layer of leaves. It was in those moments that I realized true freedom in the wilderness isn’t without some time tested skills.
The ability to navigate is ultimately about getting home safely, especially when the unexpected happens. For those of us committed to a long term active outdoor lifestyle, mastering navigation is a non-negotiable part of our toolkit. It's the difference between a minor detour and a serious situation. In the classic list of the Ten Essentials of hiking, navigation is, no wonder, the first one listed. It is the cornerstone of responsible adventure.
As we gain wisdom and experience out there, we learn to trust the tools in our hands and the skills in our heads. Here are the tools and skills I rely on to ensure every hike is confidently navigated.
Primary Tools
Technology has become the primary implement for navigation among modern hikers.
- GPS Devices or Apps. Modern GPS units and smartphone apps (like Gaia GPS, AllTrails, OnX, etc.) are fantastic for pinpointing your location. They are excellent for confirmation, especially in areas with poor visibility or confusing trail junctions.
- The Power Plan. If technology is our primary tool for navigation, we must always start with a full battery and carry a portable power bank and a charging cable. This power bank should be enough to fully charge your device at least once. A 10,000 mAh power bank is a good choice.
- Preparation. Be sure your navigation device has maps downloaded for the planned hiking area. Maps need to be available while off-line in the event there is no cell service. Also, review and be familiar with the route, alternate routes, and terrain before setting foot on the trail.
Backup Tools
Having a backup tool in the event something happens that makes the primary tool unusable is very smart. Electronics can malfunction; maybe the smart phone is dropped in a creek; maybe something goes wrong with the app; maybe the battery bank isn’t working or the cable is bad. Many things can happen. Be prepared for it.
Paper Map and Compass
A physical map remains the most reliable navigation tool. It never runs out of batteries, and it can give you a true, comprehensive view of the landscape that a small screen cannot. But if a person doesn’t know how to use it, it’s almost a useless as a dead battery.
- Understanding the Topography. A good topographic map (or app) shows contour lines that indicate elevation changes. These tell us if the next mile is a gentle stroll, a lung-busting climb, or a cliff. For the seasoned hiker, this information helps wisely manage energy and pace.
- Keep it Dry. Always store maps in a sturdy, waterproof bag or a sealed plastic sleeve. A soggy, damaged map is heartbreaking.
- Scale Matters. Pay attention to the map's scale. This is the relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground. Knowing this and the contour helps us estimate distance and hiking time
- Maps are difficult to use for navigation with a compass. Of course, a compass ensures we are heading in the right direction. But this requires additional skills.
- Learning Declination. This is the most common compass mistake. Magnetic North (where your compass points) is different from True North (what’s on your map). This difference between the two, called declination, is critical. Learn how to adjust your compass for the area you are hiking in, or buy a compass that allows you to easily set the declination.
- Taking a Bearing. Practice taking a bearing on a visible landmark before you start the hike. This skill—using the map and compass together to determine a direction of travel—is your emergency lifeline if you lose the trail.
- Here is a great article to help learn these skills.
Backup Devices
One could also carry backup technology. I will often carry a GPS device and a smart phone with multiple navigation apps. Carrying a second (smaller) backup power bank is a good idea as well.
Practice Makes Perfect
The greatest tool we carry for navigation is our own mind. Knowing how to use navigation tools is as important as bringing the tools.
- Look Back Often. As you hike, turn around and look behind you. The trail looks completely different going the opposite direction. This simple habit helps you recognize landmarks if you ever need to backtrack.
- Pacing and Time. Learn to estimate how far you can hike in an hour. This skill, often called pace counting, combined with your map's scale, is the best way to determine if you are on track with your itinerary.
True navigation is about more than technology; it’s about a mindful connection to the landscape. By mastering these tools and skills, we ensure that our attention stays focused on the incredible beauty around us, confident in the knowledge that we can handle any twist or turn the trail throws our way.