Using a Smartphone to find your way around is easy nowadays. You don't need to be technically accomplished! It's all very simple really!

You will need to download your route map to your phone or you might end up using your data allowance to view maps (and your signal may be poor in places). There may be charges incurred for using data. Using the map on the phone will consume battery power when the screen is open, of course.

Finding our routes on the OSMaps App.

As long as you have a Smartphone you can download the OSMaps App for free and access many walks.  All our walks appear there. All will be prefixed BVNW.

NOTE: Depending on how often you like to walk, upgrading to a Premium subscription on OSMaps may be a good investment. At the time of writing this an annual subscription is about £26. You get better maps and functions from your app.

IMPORTANT NOTE

If the place is very popular for walks eg Pirbright you may do best by finding the route on a desktop computer and making it a 'favourite' before you go out. It will then show as a favourite on all your devices.

This is the way to find your route

Step 1 Open the OSMaps app

Step 2 Click on menu and select "Find Routes'

Step 3 Choose Walking and 'More Options'

Step 4 Choose level of difficulty. Click Leisurely or Moderate,  according to our route rating and 'Show me routes'. If your map is showing the start point of the walk you should find the correct named button easily on the map e.g BVNW Pirbright, Brookwood Circular or BVNW Ash and Normandy.

If the place is very popular eg Pirbright you may do best by finding the route on a desktop computer and making it a 'favourite' before you go out. It will then show as a favourite on all your devices.

With the route showing on your screen the GPS arrow will show where you are so you can see you are on the right track. Sometimes the GPS in the phone needs time to catch up so may not be exactly on your path.

NOTE: To save using your data allowance or charges OS Maps allows you to download the route map to your phone.

What you see on the maps

The start point and route will be clearly shown. Direction of walking is in the Step by Step guide but can always be reversed if you wish using the map as your guide. The main land features will be evident but not all place names etc. Main roads will be numbered and water bodies and woodland shown. Upgrading your subscription on OSMaps will give you more detailed maps.

Depending on which map you choose there may be waypoints shown as dots, numbers etc. Ignore them. The main thing to look for is the arrow/pointer showing where you are. Check the route on screen and the arrow/pointer will show if you are following it correctly (it uses the GPS on your phone).

All maps are copyright. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ 

Is it all too much?