Step 2 of 10 · Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost
Understand scale and distance
Understand scale and distance — step 2 of 10 in Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost. Scale is printed as a ratio: 1:25,000 means 1 cm on paper = 250 m on the ground.
Free outdoor skills tip: Understand scale and distance (step 2 of 10 from "Read a Trail Map and Not Get Lost").
Scale is printed as a ratio: 1:25,000 means 1 cm on paper = 250 m on the ground. Use the scale bar (a printed ruler in the margin) to measure distances between points. Lay a straight edge between your start and a landmark, mark the distance, and compare to the scale bar.
For trail distance (which curves), lay a piece of string along the trail path, then straighten it against the scale bar. Or use your thumb width as a quick unit — measure your thumb against the scale bar once and remember: 'my thumb = 300 m on this map.'
Pro tip: Mark your thumb-to-distance conversion on the map margin in pencil for quick reference all day.
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