Numbering the Grid

When you are reading the instructions for one of our walks each walk step is accompanied by a little map showing you where you have to go. These maps are generated using our WayMaps map tiles, a "mash up" of GIS Open Data from a variety of sources.

One thing we've been thinking about for some time is how you can use these little maps if you are also using a GPS or a GPS phone app which gives you an OS grid reference. How can you use that when we only show the grid line without numbering them.

The Ordnance Survey solve this with their online mapping by numbering grid lines every ten kilometres horizontally and vertically but that doesn't help us here so instead we've come up with a way of giving you just enough information by labelling the most central easting and northing grid line on each map.

For example over on the right we have the map for step two of our walk Scafell Pike - The Easy Way and, as you can see, the 20 easting grid line and the 07 northing grid line are labelled.

So if you understand how the OS grid works then from that information you can work out that the summit of Lingmell is at about 209082.

Conversely if your GPS says you are at NY20540710 then you know that you have taken the wrong fork in the path and are heading for Symonds Knott not Scafell Pike.

These improved maps are live on our site on all our walks now. We have also updated all the walks in your rucksack if you have purchased any walks from us, so as and when you re-print them or download them to your phone again then the enhanced maps will be included.

Tagged: maps, walks

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