Wayfinding
Overview
Wayfinding is the process of orienting oneself and navigating through terrain using signs, natural features, maps, and intuition. It includes both on-trail and off-trail navigation.
Key points
- Relies on landmarks, trail signs, and environmental cues.
- Supports decision-making at junctions and unclear areas.
- Works alongside GPS and traditional navigation tools.
- Essential for areas with sparse or inconsistent markings.
- Improves with experience and terrain familiarity.
Details
Wayfinding includes reading the landscape, recognizing trail continuity, interpreting signs, and differentiating between official trails and wander lines. Good wayfinding prevents unnecessary detours and enhances safety.
Skills develop with practice and complement technical navigation methods, helping hikers remain oriented even without electronic tools.
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.