GPS for Beginners, GPS Navigation, Hill Walking, Map and Compass, Navigation Skills - July 16, 2026

From Map & Compass to GPS: Making the Switch

Last updated: 16 July 2026

Add a tool, don't replace one.

GPS makes navigation easier and faster — but the best navigators still know their map and compass. Here's how to have both.

Plenty of walkers come to us slightly nervous about GPS. They've navigated with a map and compass for years, and they worry that switching to a device means losing hard-won skills — or trusting a screen that might let them down.

Here's the good news: it isn't either/or. The most confident navigators we train use both, and they let each one do what it does best.

A simple way to think about it Your map and compass are like knowing how to read a recipe. Your GPS is like having a timer that beeps. The timer makes life easier — but you still want to understand the recipe, so you're never lost if the batteries die.

What GPS does brilliantly

▸ Tells you exactly where you are — an instant grid reference, even in cloud or featureless terrain.

▸ Follows a planned route — load a walk at home, then simply follow the line on the hill.

▸ Records where you've been — so you can retrace your steps in poor visibility.

▸ Speeds up the fiddly bits — no more thumbing the map in driving rain.

What map and compass still do best

▸ Never run out of battery.

▸ Show the big picture — the whole landscape at a glance, not a small screen.

▸ Build your "ground sense" — matching contours and features to what you can see.

▸ Back you up — the ultimate fail-safe if a device is lost, broken or drained.

It's worth carrying a decent compass and a waterproof map case for exactly this reason — you'll find a simple range of both here.

Map & compass vs GPS: a quick comparison

	Map & compass	GPS device / watch
Best for	Reading the landscape, the big picture	Pinpointing your exact position, following a route
Battery	Never fails	Needs charging / spare power
Poor visibility	Relies on your skill	Shows position instantly
Learning curve	Steeper, but timeless	Quick to start, deeper features to grow into
Honest verdict	Essential foundation	Brilliant everyday tool — keep the map as backup

A real-world example

Picture a summer day walk that clouds over.

On open, rolling ground — say the moorland around Hadrian's Wall or the Cheviots — a GPS gives you an instant, certain fix while the map gives you the wider context to plan your next leg.

Drop into a steep-sided valley like Upper Coquetdale, and being able to confirm "I am here, at this bend in the burn" in seconds is exactly where a device shines.

Lose your bearings in mist near a featureless summit, and a quick grid reference from the GPS — cross-checked against the map — turns a stressful moment into a simple decision. (If you ever need to pass that position to Mountain Rescue, here's exactly how to do it.)

Planning to walk the Cheviots or Hadrian's Wall yourself? Our sister company Shepherds Walks Holidays runs guided and self-guided trips across exactly this kind of ground.

💡 Did you know? Modern handhelds like the TwoNav range now let you build and edit a route on the device screen itself — no computer needed. It's one of the features that makes the switch far less daunting than it used to be.

How to make the switch (without the overwhelm)

1 Start at home. Learn the basics on the sofa, not halfway up a hill.

2 Practise on walks you already know. Compare what the device says to what you can see.

3 Keep the map out. Use both together until the device feels like second nature.

4 Get proper training. An hour with an expert saves weeks of trial and error.

You don't have to figure this out alone Every GPS device we sell comes with training and support included — because a device you understand is worth far more than one gathering dust in a drawer. Keep your traditional skills, add a modern tool, and you'll navigate with more confidence than ever.

Frequently asked questions

Do I still need a map and compass if I have a GPS?

Yes. A GPS is the best day-to-day navigation tool you can carry, but a map and compass never run out of battery and never crash. Carry both — the map for the big picture, the GPS for a precise fix. That's what every experienced navigator we train does.

Can a GPS replace a map and compass?

For most of your navigating, a GPS will do the job faster and more accurately. But "replace" is the wrong word. Think of the map and compass as your fail-safe: if the device is lost, broken or drained, they get you home. Keep them in the rucksack — and know how to use them.

Is a GPS reliable enough for hill walking?

Modern outdoor GPS units and watches are very reliable — they hold a signal in cloud, tree cover and deep valleys where a phone often struggles. The main thing to manage is battery, and that's easily done with a spare power bank or lithium cells and a full charge at the start of the day. Reliability really comes down to knowing your device, which is exactly what training gives you.

What happens if my GPS runs out of battery?

This is precisely why you keep the map and compass. It's also why we recommend carrying a spare battery pack or lithium AAs and starting each day fully charged. Learn your device's battery-saving settings and a full day on the hill is rarely a problem.

Should a beginner choose a GPS watch or a handheld unit?

Both have their place. A handheld gives you a bigger screen, swappable batteries and easier route editing on the hill; a watch is lighter and always on your wrist. The right choice depends on how you walk — and it's exactly the kind of thing our free personalised recommendation can sort out in minutes.

Where to start

→ Free online resource — getting-started guides and video tutorials.

→ Garmin training courses — for watches and handhelds.

→ TwoNav training courses — for dedicated GPS units.

→ Live online training over Zoom — learn from home, in real time.

→ 1:1 remote training — personal help, wherever you are.

Get a personalised GPS recommendation Browse GPS units & courses

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