Reading a Topographic Map

Whenever you’re in a remote or unfamiliar area, a topographic map and compass are a must.

Topographic maps are created from aerial photographs and reveal the contours of the land, including hills, ridges, and valleys, as well as lakes, rivers, creeks, trails, and roads.

• Contour lines show the elevation of the ground.
• Contour intervals reveal how much vertical distance there is between each contour line—closely spaced contour lines indicate very steep slopes.
• Contour lines that are sharply tapered indicate an uphill direction.
• Rounded contour lines typically indicate a downhill direction.

Topographic maps provide useful information for navigating terrain because they show the area in three dimensions.