Which map is best for walking and hiking?

Q. Which map is most suited to walking, Landranger or Explorer?

Jim Sinclair, Lowdham

A. See Maps Suitable for Walking and Hiking

A. I would say a landranger 1:50 000 is perfectly adequate for low level/ mid level walking on roads and lowland areas giving as much detail as you need to navigate around safely with confidence.

An Explorer 1:25 000 is far better for the type of 'Hill walking' you would do in some of the more remote areas where finer points of navigation are required. Harvey maps which are 1:40 000 in size are made for walkers tackling more mountainous areas such as the lakes and North Wales. I do not use them much so am not to confident with them however they are available and worth a try you never know.

Wayne Qualter, Gloucester

A. Sorry Wayne - but I think you are completely wrong. The OS Explorer 1:25 000 map is an absolute must when walking in low level, farmland areas since they show the rights of way in conjunction with field boundaries - essential when waymarks have been removed or allowed to fall into disrepair. 1:50 0000 scale Landranger Maps do not show field boundaries.

As for walking the high mountains - you could take the Landranger series but I would again opt for the Explorer 1:25 000 map since - as you rightly point out - it has more detail.

So the map most suited to walking is The Explorer 1:25 000 scale series - no question.

Sure, you might have to buy a few more maps to cover the area you want to walk in - but they are only £7.50 each or so, last for ever if you carry them in a plastic map case and priceless if it means you stay on track and do not stray onto difficult ground or worse - private land and all the unpleasantness that can result.

Dave M, Manchester

A. And if you click on this link you'll get all your OS Explorer Maps with 10% OFF and Free p&p to UK addresses.

This has got to help

Mike (Editor)

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