Share the love: Maps for microadventures

On the weekend, I asked Twitter where I could find a map showing all the long distance paths in the UK. Lots of people got in touch with suggestions (thanks everyone!) so I thought I’d collate them here, along with a few other useful maps and resources for longer walks, cycle trips and microadventures.

• Open Cycle Map - long distance trails
  

This map uses Open Street Map data and lists long distance paths. You need to zoom in fairly close to see the path labels, though. As with other Open Street Map data, you can map and add any trails that are not listed. Thanks to Cottenham Cyclist (@cotnm) for this suggestion.

• Waymarked Trails: Hiking - long distance trails
  

Again, this uses Open Street Map data and lists long distance paths. While once again only the major routes (European, National Trails, plus a few others) are visible when zoomed out, there is more detail and clearer labelling at a large scale than with OCM and I find it easier to use. Thanks to Cottenham Cyclist (@cotnm) for this suggestion, too.

• Walk Highlands - free 1:25000 OS maps
  

This is a great resource, which allows you to map a route using OS map data and download a GPX file of your planned walk/cycle for your phone or other device. If you sign up, you’ll get an email every few weeks with links to walk reviews, gear reviews and other interesting things. Don’t worry, it’s not spammy. If you're new to long(ish) distance walking, you might also be interested in my "how to plan a walking holiday" post.

• Where's the Path - maps and satellite images
  

Where's the Path has a split screen set-up, so you can look at an OS maps on the left and Google satellite view on the right (for example). You can also overlay either side with a weather map, OSM data, open access land map and more. This is a good tool for comparing your map with something a bit more ‘realistic’ if you’re scouting for private resting spots and so on. Thanks to Mike (@english_lakes) for reminding me of this site.

• Harvey's Long Distance path Chart - paper map
  

Online maps are great, but sometimes I just want a nice big paper map to spread out on the floor. This map from Harvey would seem to fit the bill - and you can stick it up on the wall if you're into that kind of thing! Note: I haven’t bought a copy, so I can’t vouch for the content. If you have one, maybe you could tell us about it in the comments? Thanks to LAMB (@sixsecondshigh) for suggesting this.

• Harold Street - trig points
  

An online map of all trig points in the UK. By their nature, trig points tend to be on tall hills and they often have good views. Worth a look. The website layout is not good, but you can find trig points in your area by clicking on the relevant square on the map in the left hand sidebar.

• Slope Hunter - hills and slopes
  

This is a site for model aeroplane/glider enthusiasts, which lists a number of good slopes for flying such contraptions. Handily for microadventurers, these are usually places with (a) access and (b) great views. I discovered this site via @AnnaMcNuff: you should read her microadventure resource post, too.

• Woodland Trust - woods
  

A map of woodland in the UK, including those owned by the Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission and others. Specify a location to browse woodlands in the area. There are a couple of annoying display bugs, but this is still useful if you're looking for a woodland site. Hopefully it will improve as people contribute more information and the charity works on the site.

• Cool Camping - camp sites
  

If you’re really not keen on wild camping (maybe you like to have a toilet, shower and a kitchen close to hand), there are plenty of great campsites listed here. Also, if you’re dreaming of something much more luxurious, you can try their glamping listings, where yurts, shepherds huts, tiny houses and other delightful dwellings abound.

• Alastair Humphreys - plan a microadventure
  

Of course, @Al_Humphreys has all the lowdown on how to go microadventuring. After all, he wrote the book on microadventures (which you should buy)!

• Honorable mentions
  

You might also find these sites helpful and/or inspiring: the National Trails website; Sustrans/National Cycle Network map; the Long Distance Walkers Association; Natural England's open access countryside search; and Ramblers Routes (sign up for free). Some councils and unitary authorities also have up-to-date information on footpath diversions and closures on their websites (e.g. East Sussex County Council's rights of way map).

"Coast path near Towanroath shaft" - Thomas Tolkien

"Public footpath" - Graham Keen

"Wonastow in Autumn" - Keith Moseley

"Trig point on Dumgoyne" - Zoe Shuttleworth

"Mallaig" - Danial Chitnis

"London Loop Section 5" - Sue Kellerman

"Untitled" - Carron Brown

"Severn Valley, Gloucestershire" - Kumweni

"Portheras Cove" - Jim Champion

"Path to Pen-y-Ghent" - Joe Dunckley

(All images are licensed under Creative Commons. Click the captions to find the original sources.)

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How do you plan your microadventures, long walks or cycle trips? This is a UK-centric list and I'm interested to see what resources are available in other parts of the world, too.

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