How to use OS Maps

I love planning adventures. I love getting my Ordnance Survey map and spreading it over the living room floor, I love poring over minute details and plotting where we’re going to walk. As detailed as the paper maps are though, I also use OS Maps both on my desktop and as an app on my phone to really bring the routes to life. I always take a paper map with me, but the time spent in front of a screen planning and researching is vital in ensuring that I organise safe and accessible adventures, especially when taking my family out.

First things first

You need to sign up to be able to use OS Maps online. There is a free version with limited features, but I really recommend getting the Premium subscription for £19.99 a year. This unlocks a whole host of extras that make planning, recording and following routes much safer and much more fun. There’s a handy table here if you’re unsure. You can always take advantage of the 7 day free trial to see what you think first. If you want to use it on your phone or tablet, you will need to download the app. I also had to recently update my app in order to be able to access some of the new features. If you buy paper maps, they come with a code that allows you to download a digital copy onto your device.

Planning a route

The first thing  I do is type in where we’re going, and have a look at some of the routes that are already available for the area we want to walk in. Simply click ‘Routes’ and then ‘Discover Routes’. This is a great way to get some ideas.

Once I’ve got some ideas, I often make my own route. Simply press ‘create’ and then you can drop waypoints and plot a route. This is quite simple, you can also add information along the way if you wish. If you’re a premium subscriber, there’s a great feature where you can automatically create a route between two points. At the moment this only works in National Parks, but it makes planning a walk a doddle. Simply click on the map icon in the bottom right, then choose ‘National Park Pathways’ and ‘Create New Route’. Pick your beginning and end points and click ‘Snap’

You can print routes or download areas of map to your device using the app so that you have access, even if there’s no internet available.

Aerial 3D Layer

Once I’ve plotted a route, I often look at it using the aerial 3D layer. This is especially useful when you’re heading for hilly terrain, or somewhere you’ve never been before. It really helps to bring the route to life, exposing potential hazards and giving a much better idea of the level of difficulty.

GreenSpace

GreenSpace is a recent development that is so useful for people like me that live in urban areas. Simply click on the map options button (bottom right) and choose ‘Greenspace’. It immediately shows all the open spaces and recreational facilities of a given area. Even though I’ve lived in Northampton for a while, it’s been fantastic for helping me to discover new local places to take my family to.

Augmented Reality

The above features are all available when using OS Maps online on a computer. I’m now going to show what you can do when using the app while outside. Firstly, and most impressively, the new augmented reality feature is absolutely amazing. Not only is it fun for map geeks like me to play around with, but it’s so useful for teaching people about what’s around them. It’s great for getting children involved when outside, I just know that Finn is going to love it when he’s a bit older.

Simply press the AR button (bottom left, just above the location button) and hold up your phone. It will use your camera to show what’s there.

Then you can use AR to take awesome photos, like this snapped by my fellow GetOutside champion, Tracy.

While Walking

While outside whether walking, running or cycling, you can record as you go along. You can also follow a route, this is great if you’re in unfamiliar territory.

 

Of course, I’m not advocating for one second that all of this technology can replace a paper map and compass. I am however, very much of the opinion that the two can complement each other and work side by side. Hopefully this has given a good introduction to how to use OS Maps. If you need any more details, please refer to the Ordnance Survey website. 

Do you use technology when planning outdoor adventures? Have you ever used OS Maps?

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