Harvey Maps on a TwoNav GPS Unit
When it comes to outdoor navigation, the map you trust is just as important as the GPS device you carry. While many are familiar with Ordnance Survey mapping, there’s another name that deserves just as much recognition - Harvey Maps.
Thanks to the growing versatility of GPS units like the TwoNav, you can experience the precision and clarity of Harvey Maps digitally, bringing a new level of confidence to your outdoor adventures.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of Harvey Maps, what makes them stand out from the crowd, and why pairing them with a TwoNav GPS unit could be one of the best decisions you make before heading out onto the hills.
A Brief History of Harvey Maps
Harvey Maps began in 1977 when Dr. Robin Harvey, a professional land surveyor and keen orienteer, recognised a gap in the market. At that time, existing maps simply didn’t offer the detailed information that walkers, climbers, and outdoor athletes required. He set out to change that.
Instead of relying on pre-existing data, Harvey Maps create their own cartography—surveying landscapes first-hand. Their first major success was a new map of the Lake District produced in collaboration with the British Orienteering Federation. Word soon spread that Harvey Maps offered unparalleled detail, usability, and a focus on what truly mattered for those navigating wild spaces.
Since then, Harvey Maps have won awards and accolades, becoming the map of choice for serious outdoor enthusiasts, mountain rescue teams, and event organisers across the UK and beyond.
What Makes Harvey Maps Different?
At GPS Training, we firmly believe that Harvey Maps are a superb choice, especially when you want clarity and efficiency during your walk, run, or ride. Here’s why:
- Designed for Outdoor Use: Harvey Maps strip away unnecessary clutter. You won’t find endless road names or town infrastructure that isn't relevant to a walker. Instead, key features like contour lines, crags, walls, footpaths, and terrain types are highlighted clearly.
- Colour Shading for Terrain: They pioneered subtle colour shading to depict different terrain types, meaning you can assess the ground ahead at a glance.
- Lightweight and Waterproof: The printed maps are typically lighter and more weather-resistant than traditional paper maps. On GPS units like the TwoNav, this translates to fast-loading, highly readable digital maps.
- Scale that Suits the User: Harvey's 1:40,000 "British Mountain Map" series hits a perfect sweet spot for serious hillwalkers. It covers a broad area whilst still offering enough detail for accurate navigation.
- Event-Specific Mapping: Harvey is often the choice for ultramarathons and mountain events, where navigation errors can be costly. If you're training for a race, there’s a good chance you’ll already be handed a Harvey Map at registration!
- Episode 1 - Harvey Podcast - Why do we bother?
- Episode 2 - Harvey Podcast - The art of cartography
You can watch all the other Harvey Podcasts online -
- Episode 3 - Losing the plot - watch it here
- Episode 4 - Where is the pub? - watch it here
- Episode 5 - To Google or not to Google - watch it here
Meet the teams at Harvey, their passion shines through
Harvey Maps on a TwoNav GPS Unit: A Winning Combination
TwoNav GPS units, such as the Cross, Trail 2, or Aventura 2, are known for their exceptional mapping flexibility. They aren't locked into one brand of mapping, unlike some competitors. This open approach allows you to install Harvey Maps directly onto your TwoNav device.
Benefits include:
- Incredible Clarity: TwoNav’s high-resolution screens make the fine detail of Harvey Maps pop, giving you an instant understanding of your surroundings.
- Efficient Route Planning: Harvey's stripped-back, outdoor-focused design means less visual noise when creating or following routes.
- Durability and Offline Access: Once loaded onto your TwoNav, the maps are stored locally. No mobile signal needed. No worries about losing access on remote moors or mountain ridges.
- Custom Overlays: TwoNav allows layering of routes, waypoints, and tracks over your Harvey Maps, helping you personalise your adventures without losing map readability.
Frankly, it’s a partnership that makes complete sense: outstanding cartography combined with versatile, rugged navigation technology.
Harvey Maps Cover Ireland — Garmin Doesn’t
Here’s where things get interesting for those wanting maps for Ireland on an outdoor GPS unit.
While Garmin users are often frustrated by the lack of topographic map coverage for Ireland, Harvey Maps steps in to fill this gap—and it’s available for TwoNav.
Harvey Pack – Ireland and Northern Ireland (5x Superwalkers)
This is a high-resolution digital map pack designed specifically for outdoor adventurers exploring both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It includes:
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5 Superwalker maps at a detailed 1:30,000 scale
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High resolution (2.0) for excellent screen clarity
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Coverage of diverse terrain across Ireland, including contour lines, suggested routes, key topographic features, and points of interest
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Optimised specifically for GPS navigation
Whether you're walking the Wicklow Way, climbing in the Mournes, or discovering off-the-beaten-track routes in Connemara, Harvey’s Ireland Pack provides the clarity and reliability you need.
This makes TwoNav with Harvey Maps one of the very few digital options for detailed Irish mapping. In contrast, Garmin continues to offer little to no dedicated topographic coverage for Ireland, giving TwoNav a clear edge for anyone planning an Irish walking or hiking holiday.
Final Thoughts
At GPS Training, we love seeing how TwoNav units and Harvey Maps together open new possibilities for outdoor lovers. Whether you’re scaling the Scottish Munros, tackling the fells of the Lakes, or training for a gruelling ultra, this combination gives you the detail, clarity, and reliability you need to focus on the journey ahead.
If you’ve never used Harvey Maps before, now is the perfect time to try. You might just find you never want to go back.
Interested in loading Harvey Maps onto your TwoNav GPS unit?
Speak to the team at GPS Training — we’ll be more than happy to guide you through the options.
Further reading
1. TwoNav GPS Units
2. Harvey Maps - Harvey website