There are several types of maps you could take on a hike: g Standard road map (also printed guides and handmade trail maps) - These maps show highways and locations of cities and parks. Maps included in guidebooks, printed guides handed out at parks, and that are hand drawn tend to be designed like road maps.
g Topo maps - Topographical maps give contour lines and other important details for crossing a landscape. You’ll find them invaluable on a hike into the wilds.
g Satellite photos - Sometimes a view from above that is rendered exactly as it would look from an airplane is useful. Thanks to Google and other online services, you can get fairly detailed pictures of the landscape. Such pictures are an excellent resource when researching a hiking trail.
Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.
