Lesson 1: Reading the map

A map is a picture of the ground from above

Everything on the map is drawn to scale and shown with a symbol. Before you use any map, look at its key (legend). These are the symbols on the training maps. Real maps use very similar ones.

Contour lines show the height and shape of the ground

A contour line joins points that are the same height above sea level. Walk along one and you would never go up or down. On these maps the lines are 20 m apart in height (the contour interval). Every fifth line is drawn thicker and labeled with its height: that is an index contour, every 100 m.

• Close together: the height changes quickly, so the slope is steep.
• Far apart: the slope is gentle.
• Rings that close on themselves, higher towards the middle: a hill top.
• V or U shapes pointing uphill (towards higher numbers): a valley. Streams run along valleys.
• V or U shapes pointing downhill: a spur, a ridge running down from higher ground.
• A dip between two high points: a saddle (or col), often the easiest way over a ridge.

A spot height (a dot with a number) gives the exact height of one point. A trig point is a survey pillar, usually on a summit.