Navigation

Leapfrogging, following benchmarks, and more.

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

Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Here's what they mean.

To see the best of this Ohio park, you're going to have to work a little harder than usual. Shape up with this off-trail hiking advice from a national park ranger.

A new kind of adventure starts where the maintained trail ends. Advance your hiking game and take on the unknown with these tips for route-planning and navigation. Then, practice footwork skills for safer, more efficient mountain travel.

Navigation tips from an Appalachian Trail pro.

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?

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.

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

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

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

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 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.

Discover secret campsites and total solitude with this expert guide to safely navigating untracked wilderness.

Get a trip planner, online, and print maps in one bundle from Trimble Outdoors.

What bugs can tell you about finding your way.

Change declination to navigate more accurately over long distances.

Simple, yet reliable, this compass is great for spot checks and map consults.

Get customized maps that give you turn-by-turn directions and campsite information all in one, easy to use and waterproof map.

Be a real explorer by going where others don't.

Name: Ross Mason, 44 Predicament: Off-course and severely dehydrated Location: Gila Wilderness, New Mexico; November 2010

Triple-digit temps by noon. Freezing at night. Scarce water. The desert is as dangerous for unprepared hikers. Give yourself an edge and learn to survive this hostile territory while backpacking.

Maps are invaluable for navigating unfamiliar terrain, but without this basic step, you might just be spinning in your tracks.

Become an official BACKPACKER Map Correspondent and get FREE GEAR!

Upgrade your navigation skills under the tutelage of BACKPACKER's map editors.

Try these 10 tips for cross-country travel.

Our print-on-demand tool

3 key skills for getting off the trail without getting off course

Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.

Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.

If you don't know what triangulation is, read this article.

Three apps for map lovers of all tech denominations.

The official rules for entering and winning prizes in our "Be A Mapper" Contest.

Waterproof maps pack in all the information you need for AT and JMT thru-hikers.

Get to your destination quickly and reliably with the Suunto MC-2 Global.

Just to be safe, keep that compass handy.

Follow these six route-finding tips, and stay found.

Use these navigational tricks, gleaned from champion orienteers and U.S. Army's Special Forces, to stay on track.

Trouble crossing the trail? Try the creek.

How one perpetually disoriented hiker found her bearings, thanks to some backwoods navigation pros.

Stow your trekking poles to get an advantage when bushwacking a trail.

Here's a quick tip for finding blazed trails.

Scientists now believe that the navigationally challenged can retrain their brains.