Navigation

These mistakes are as common as can be—but you don't need to make them.

Make sure you never get lost again by mastering the underappreciated art of navigating with a compass and map.

With map and compass in hand, world-class navigators take to the Estonian forest to compete at the World Orienteering Championships. Who has what it takes to complete this race?

No, it's not allowed (or a good idea) everywhere. But find the right spot, and navigating off trail can open up the wilderness in a whole new way.

Sometimes it’s the fastest way. Often it’s the prettiest. And in places like the Great Lakes region, ice creates temporary routes only winter adventurers get to explore. Stay safe with tips on assessing ice and preparing for self-rescue.

Compass broken? GPS dead? These tips, from backpacker and astronomy Ph.D. candidate Melodie Kao, will ensure that you never get lost in the dark again.*

Learn how to use this indispensable tool and stay on track.

Found Sunday night.

Geocaching is a high-tech, GPS-enabled scavenger hunt—and getting started is easy.

Is hiking without a headlamp a midsummer night’s dream—or a nightmare?

Off-trail hiking can feel like the best idea ever—until it suddenly doesn't.

Navigation tips from an Appalachian Trail pro.

Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?

Learn how to discern the markings on your two-dimensional map.

Open up a new door to adventure–by leaving the well-trod route behind.

Learn how to orient yourself for when it really counts.

The land changes come winter, and so should your route finding techniques.

Leapfrogging, following benchmarks, and more.

We'll show you how to be ready to the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up!

Uh-oh, you forgot to download free maps at Backpacker.com, and now you're lost in the woods without any navigational tools. Smart! Now follow these rules to get found.

The best way to avoid getting lost? Always know your location. Study up on these key techniques for identifying terrain features,translating GPS data to a map, and triangulating your position.

More than 1,000 hikers go missing every year in our national parks alone. Most are found within hours, but basic skills can help you get home without making a serious—or even fatal—mistake. Follow this advice for staying on course.