How To Read a Topographic Map

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In the old days of hiking, everyone learned how to read a topographic map because it was the only option to navigate a hike. Today we have handheld GPS units, GPS watches, and smartphones with GPS. Most new hikers can power their phone on, look at a dot on the map, and figure out their position in a second. And that's great. Until your device doesn't work, and that's where (paper) topographic maps come in. And I know that topographic maps and non-digital navigation can be intimidating, especially for those who never used them. So in this guide, I'm going to focus on the basics of the topographic map so that you can look at one and make sense of it. I'll dive into the deeper subjects of navigation, map & compass, and overland routes in other guides.
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[@amybertrand1023]

Thanks for vid. I now understand topo maps a lot better as a 40-year-old college student 🙂 i just in general need to learn maps for the field I want to go into after I graduate

[@myadventureoutdoors]

Best topo map tutorial I’ve ever seen.

[@Hikingguy]

Whoa thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@joeparkhurst57]

Thank you for making this video!!!! It's three years old and it's the best that exists. I will be telling people to come check out your video.

[@concerned1313]

I'm old school and this is what I use due to being an Eagle Scout. Cell phones don't work where I hike much of the time and even satellite doesn't work because you can be on the wrong side of the mountain. I use and prefer topo maps so I guess I am a "map geek". Great video Cris, thank you...

[@Hikingguy]

Ha, yes, I'd guess you're a map geek too... I always have the map in pocket

[@concerned1313]

@@Hikingguy yep!

[@ramongodinez4239]

great job. i am 65 of age and just started to explore the hiking experience . watching the tutorial was very informative and making me or at ease. and gives me the opportunity to learn to use topo and google earth. thank you greatly

[@Hikingguy]

Ah that's great, thanks for the note and glad it helped. Have fun out there!

[@yogamare]

Easily the best visualization and explanation of how to read topo I've ever seen. Wonderful work and thank you so much for sharing. Off to spend hours on Google earth with my routes!

[@Hikingguy]

Awesome, thank you and glad that it was helpful! 🙏👍 And yea, once you get into Google Earth its addicting. I explore new hikes / areas this way all the time so that I know the lay of the land when I get out there. Have fun!

[@hakanurludag5477]

Thank you so much for your time to create this excellent tutorial. This is the best one ever :) . All the best, take care. Also hello from Sydney Australia :) .

[@Hikingguy]

thank you!

[@tvlabstudios]

Thank you, great explanations!

[@JM-gz1ej]

Thank you so much for this very educational presentation

[@ganaanabderoof1741]

Thank you! Im using this in my lessons in class

[@thathikingguy]

Dude this is awesome and very informative. Thanks so much for covering this subject. Even those of us who have been hiking for awhile can always learn new things. I appreciate it

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 🙏 and glad it was helpful 👍👍👍 hopefully more vids like this on the way

[@curtismorrison8171]

This was very informative for my newbie journey to know and understand what a Topographic Map is and how to read it. Thank you.

[@brucenunez01]

Thank you so much for explaining it with the 3d perspective. It makes so easy to understand. Much appreciated.

[@kentmcfeely8073]

Very helpful explanation of topo maps, thanks.

[@leannjones6282]

That was the best teaching video. I totally get it now. Thank you!

[@gmc911er]

Thank you for explaining this

[@HuskyMike]

Amazing information. I used google earth for some hike research in the past. Crazy how much detail you can see from it. Adding the topo map layer of your hiking area really brings it all together.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, I love using Google Earth to visualize the GPX before I go out. I'll overlay snow & other layers too for even more data. It's so powerful and as a bonus, really fun

[@michaelo9039]

Very well explained and I didn't fall asleep, LOL.

[@Hikingguy]

Ha... good, yea, I always worry that when I'm just yapping over a computer screen it will be a snoozer...

[@firstthes2811]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@alexmelamud9750]

Great video ! Thanks

[@wt5833]

Although I love your gear reviews (will buy a 66i based on your work), this is a basic, yet well done explanation of topo maps. For us knuckle-dragging visual learners, this type of thing is superlative. The overlay allows you to understand much more intuitively. Thank you for your work; I’ve been subscribed for a while now and this content is why.

[@Hikingguy]

Wow, thank you so much. 🙏 The whole mission behind the website and channel is to help folks get outside safely and simply. I'm always looking for ways to demystify and break down the more intimidating subjects, so knowing that I might have been effective here is great to know. Hopefully more to come.

[@autodidact-d]

This was very helpful, thanks!

[@amandaahringer7466]

Wow, exceptionally helpful, thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@theociba3762]

Excellent overview - I wanted to meter understand the basics and you've conveyed this in an informative, simple manner.

[@deaner0808]

Extremely helpful for this rookie, thank you!

[@ccabral1122]

Thanks Hiking Guy. I needed this to know how to read too maps

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! 🙏👍

[@rommelnavarrette2831]

Great information. I learned a ton today. I never took a topo map but will start now

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Such an informative and helpful video in a friendly communicative style. Thank you.

[@tsmith3139]

Outstanding tutorial!

[@andrewcremers2143]

I show this to my wildland class in their intro to topographic features. Nothing but light bulbs going off! Thank you!!!!!!

[@Hikingguy]

That's great to hear, thanks for using it and glad it's helpful!

[@manosdeperro]

Fantastic explanation Have a great weekend.

[@jakubsedlak7468]

Thank you very much for great video! Nice to know what incredible features google earth has to offer.

[@Hikingguy]

You're welcome! And yea, Google Earth is great, a really powerful tool, especially since it's free.

[@Ajajambo]

This is amazing

[@fxo1024]

Great vid, yes a colored mouse pointer would have been clearer, also you should do a Part 2 to this intro. Which topo map company do you find to be the best one? Or do a future video of the differences of the 3 or 4 companies you hold in your hand.

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks Frank, yea, good points. I'll do a walkthrough of different maps in a new vid. I have a some info on that in the article but a vid covering it would be helpful too. Thank ya!

[@angelasmith2650]

Do you have a video on how to use a compass and paper topo map

[@Hikingguy]

Not yet but in the works

[@alexalonso2093]

awsome information .. maybe a darker mouse pointer..everything blended in ...otherwise excellent.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, good point, thank you. I'm using the built-in Mac screen recording but it probably makes sense to get something better for the next one. Thank you!

[@agustinignaciovido2156]

Hi Cris, I have a question for you. When I should use climbing or hiking activities on my garmin fenix 6 pro? I really don't know the difference. Thanks!!

[@Hikingguy]

Good question - use "hiking" for your traditional hiking along a trail and scrambling. Use "climbing" for rock climbing (indoor or out).

[@mvoutdoors]

Can I download free topo map that made by Google??? For GPS device garmin etrex30x???

[@Hikingguy]

You can't download Google maps offline but just about every other variety that you see on the free CalTopo site

[@HectorPerez-ud5ds]

👍👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@ahmedlubwama1925]

well its a gud clip

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

pretty cool. tell them leave the phone alone. get a decent base plate compass brunton suunto silva. not some walmart crap. go to REI. and start learning. and as you learn more. you go further out. that way you ALWAYS go home. !!!!!!!!!!!! people DIE. from lack of knowledge. and get lost. learn some survival skills. you never know. have a good day boss

[@Hikingguy]

yup yup - compass & more advanced skills vids coming up....