Reading Contour Lines
Contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Tight spacing means steep terrain; wide spacing means gentle slopes. In Norwegian maps, index contours are often every 50 metres.
Trail Tips
- Orient your map to north using the compass — map north must match real north.
- Identify handrails: rivers, ridges, and valleys that confirm your position.
- Take bearings from map to field and field to map regularly.
- Practice in clear weather before relying on skills in fog.
Gear
- Carry a waterproof map case in wet climates.
- Use a baseplate compass with adjustable declination for your region.
- Keep a pencil to mark checkpoints on paper maps.
About Erik Lindqvist
Erik Lindqvist is a Scandinavian trail guide and outdoor writer based in Norway. He has spent fifteen years hiking fjord paths, mountain ridges, and forest tracks across Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.