Quick Reference Navigation Tables and Walking Times

Navigation Aids

These tables are an aid to navigation. They particularly help when working out the time it takes to get from one point to another. They are also a memory aid to some of the features of the British Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale maps.

I hope that these tables may be of use, I have certainly found them useful over the years and always carry a copy with me when I'm in the mountains. Have fun and be safe. Want somewhere to use these tables? Have a look at my walking page for a few recommendations.

I suggest that you print these tables off onto 6"x4" sized card & slip it into your map case. Microsoft Excel or similar will do this very well (Excel was used to originally create this page!).

WARNING: Although these tables are based on information from respected references, I can take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information on this page! You MUST try out the entries for yourself in a controlled and safe environment before trusting them on a Scottish mountain in the depths of winter! I give them here for your interest only.
Take care in ALL mountain and hill walking, Be safe.

Table 1 - Time for a Given Distance at a Given Speed

Use this table to work out how long it takes to walk from one waypoint to another at various speeds.

Notes:

1. You should note that the pacing information on this table corresponds to my legs! Your pacing will need to be adjusted accordingly. Simply mark out 50 or 100m and count every left foot fall (or every right one if you lead with your left foot). Pacing will then need to be adjusted dependent on the terrain, only practice will enable you to use pacing reliably for micro-navigation but once mastered it is surprisingly accurate. When using pacing to navigate, walk with an even stride and mentally compensate for uneven ground.
2. You should not try to "blind" navigate more than about a kilometer in fog or cloud without an external reference. The best error rates you can achieve are about 10% and even that is with careful practice.

Table 2 - Angle of Slope Adjustments for a 1:25,000 scale UK Ordnance Survey Map

Use this table with an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map. It will enable you to judge more easily the actual angle of a slope from the map and allow for it in your navigation. It especially helps to understand the additional time required to add to map distance/timings to account for a slope.

Notes:

1. The magnetic deviation shown at the bottom of the table is an average one, the actual deviation changes a lot over the UK so you always need to check your map for the actual deviation. I've included it here as an aid to moving from map to compass bearings and visa versa.
2. The highlighted line is the point at which walking becomes scrambling or climbing at around 70%.
3. The Time Adjustment values are for 300m of climb/descent at the particular ground angle. Note that the first three Descent values are negative, all others ADD to your timings.

These tables are an aid to navigation. They particularly help when working out the time it takes to get from one point to another. They are also a memory aid to some of the features of the British Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale maps.

I hope that these tables may be of use, I have certainly found them useful over the years and always carry a copy with me when I'm in the mountains. Have fun and be safe. Want somewhere to use these tables? Have a look at my walking page for a few recommendations.

I suggest that you print these tables off onto 6"x4" sized card & slip it into your map case. Microsoft Excel or similar will do this very well (Excel was used to originally create this page!).

WARNING: Although these tables are based on information from respected references, I can take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information on this page! You MUST try out the entries for yourself in a controlled and safe environment before trusting them on a Scottish mountain in the depths of winter! I give them here for your interest only.
Take care in ALL mountain and hill walking, Be safe.

Table 1

Use this table to work out how long it takes to walk from one waypoint to another at various speeds.

Notes:

1. You should note that the pacing information on this table corresponds to my legs! Your pacing will need to be adjusted accordingly. Simply mark out 50 or 100m and count every left foot fall (or every right one if you lead with your left foot). Pacing will then need to be adjusted dependent on the terrain, only practice will enable you to use pacing reliably for micro-navigation but once mastered it is surprisingly accurate. When using pacing to navigate, walk with an even stride and mentally compensate for uneven ground.
2. You should not try to "blind" navigate more than about a kilometer in fog or cloud without an external reference. The best error rates you can achieve are about 10% and even that is with careful practice.

Table 2

Use this table with an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale map. It will enable you to judge more easily the actual angle of a slope from the map and allow for it in your navigation. It especially helps to understand the additional time required to add to map distance/timings to account for a slope.

Notes:

1. The magnetic deviation shown at the bottom of the table is an average one, the actual deviation changes a lot over the UK so you always need to check your map for the actual deviation. I've included it here as an aid to moving from map to compass bearings and visa versa.
2. The highlighted line is the point at which walking becomes scrambling or climbing at around 70%.
3. The Time Adjustment values are for 300m of climb/descent at the particular ground angle. Note that the first three Descent values are negative, all others ADD to your timings.