Where Do You Buy Quality Topo Maps For Backpacking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • OpenTopoMap.
  • Esri World Topography.
  • Google Terrain.
  • United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Ordnance Survey (OS)
  • German Federal Center for Geoinformation and Geodesy.
  • Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
  • Swiss Topo.

What map scale is best for hiking?

  • 1:250,000 scale: 1 inch ~ 4 miles (less detailed; adequate for driving to the trailhead)
  • 1:100,000 scale: 1 inch ~ 1.6 miles (detailed; sufficient for planning a hike)
  • 1:24,000 scale: 1 inch ~ 2,000 feet (more detailed; adequate for hiking the trail)

Where can I get good hiking maps?

  • All Trails App.
  • Hiking Project App.
  • National Park Service App.
  • Recreation.gov App.
  • Gaia GPS App.

Who makes the best hiking maps?

  1. AllTrails (iOS, Android: Free/$29.99 annually) …
  2. Spyglass (iOS, Android: $5.99) …
  3. The Hiking Project (IOS, Android: Free) …
  4. PeakFinder (iOS, Android: $4.99) …
  5. Cairn (iOS, Android: Free/$26.99 Annually)

Where can I download free topographic maps?


Map Locator on the USGS Store

— Search and download free digital maps in GeoPDF format or order paper maps. This is the only USGS site for ordering paper maps. The National Map Download Client — Download free digital Historical topographic maps (GeoPDF and GeoTIFF formats) and US Topos.

How can I print topo maps for free?


Visit the National Geographic website

to search, download, and print topo maps.

What kind of map would a hiker use?


Topographic maps

are used by hikers and backpackers to plan routes, estimate travel times, find water, good campsites, and track their progress on hikes. They’re designed to depict the three dimensional shape of the world (mountains, valleys, plains, etc.)

How do you use a map while backpacking?

What company makes the best maps?

  • DeLorme makes good state atlases for all 50 states. …
  • The US Geological Survey and National Geographic both offer free topographic maps you can print yourself or have printed. …
  • MyTopo offers large, waterproof, custom topographic maps of any area you want.

Which is better AllTrails vs Gaia?


Gaia GPS offers more detailed maps and GPS features than AllTrails

, making it the better option for multi-day backcountry trips.

Which map app is best for hiking?

  • Best Free Hiking App: AllTrails (iOS & Android)
  • Best GPS App for Hiking: Gaia GPS (iOS & Android)
  • Best App for Hiking Trails Inspiration: Hiking Project (iOS & Android)
  • Most Unique Hiking App: Seek by iNaturalist (iOS & Android)
  • Best Apple Watch Hiking App: Apple Fitness Tracker (iOS only)

Is AllTrails worth the money?


AllTrails is a great app for anyone who’s planning to go hiking, running, riding or dog walking, off well-trodden paths

. After a play with the features, it’s quick, intuitive and straightforward, using functionality and icons similar to many other everyday apps.

Is AllTrails Pro worth the money?

Is AllTrails Pro Worth it? Searching for reviews online, you’ll find plenty of users that have positive feedback for AllTrails both on Apple and Android devices. “

Yes!

I use it all the time to find trails around me to hike.

How good is Komoot?

Komoot is

a really useful app for those who like to go a bit extra when planning their cycling or biking trips

. You can nitpick on surface type, elevation, difficulty level, and many other features. You can also combine multiple routes into one and navigate accurately.

How do you use Komoot for hiking?

How do you get a topographic map on Google Earth?

  1. Install Google Earth if you haven’t already.
  2. Download the Google Earth topo map layer from the ArcGIS Services Directory (it’s the NGS Topo US 2D (MapServer) file).
  3. When prompted, save the file to your computer.
  4. Find and double-click the file.

How do I get a topographic map on Google maps?

  1. Enter your location.
  2. Select the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines in the left-hand corner)
  3. Click on Terrain.
  4. Enable the View topography and elevation option (it should be blue when on)
  5. Zoom into the area you’re interested in using the + sign.

How do I download a topographic map?

For the US Topo maps that you want to download, simply

click the “Download” button under the “Cart” tab

. Of course, the advantage of the TNM viewer is that you can preview the USGS Topo Map before you download it. Unless you want topo maps in Alaska, they are based on 1:100,000 and 1:24,000 scales.

Can you buy military maps?


Yes, our custom maps include the option for scales of 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 (with or without a UTM/MGRS grid)

. The only maps that are 1:100,000 scale that we currently offer are selected GMU maps for large hunting areas.

Who makes topographic maps in India?


Geographical Survey of India

organisations prepares topographical maps of India.

What scale is a 7.5 minute map?

7.5-minute maps

A scale of

1:25,000

is used for maps based on metric units (1 centimeter = 0.25 kilometer). The area portrayed on each sheet ranges from 64 square miles at latitude 30 degrees north to 49 square miles at latitude 49 degrees north.

Do I need a compass for hiking?

The short answer is

yes you should at least carry a compass if not a topo map as well

. A detailed topo map and a compass are still the primary tools for navigation in the wilderness. A compass helps you orient the map, identify land features and locate your position.

Are topographic maps important?

Topographic maps

give the user the ability to view a three-dimensional landscape on a two-dimensional map

. One who is able to read a topo map can identify the elevation and location of valleys, peaks, ridges, and other land features.

How can a topographic map be useful?

Topographic maps represent the Earth’s features accurately and to scale on a two- dimensional surface. Topographic maps are an excellent planning tool and guide and, at the same time,

help make outdoor adventures enjoyable and safe

.

What does a scale of 1 50000 mean?

A graphical or bar scale. A map would also usually give its scale numerically (“1:50,000”, for instance, means that

one cm on the map represents 50,000cm of real space, which is 500 meters

) A bar scale with the nominal scale , expressed as both “1cm = 6km” and “1:600 000” (equivalent, because 6km = 600 000cm)

Are Tom Harrison maps waterproof?

PROS: Tom Harrison maps are also very accurate like the USGS maps, they have measured trail distances,

are printed on waterproof and rip proof paper

, and generally cover more popular regions (so you only need 1 map rather than 2 or 3 overlapping USGS topos.

Where can I get good maps?

  • MapQuest. …
  • Waze. …
  • Bing Maps. …
  • Here WeGo. …
  • Rand McNally. …
  • Maps.me. …
  • OpenStreetMap and OsmAnd.
Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.