A route card is a structured breakdown of each stage of a walk that captures the information a navigator needs: the bearing, distance, timing, features, and contingencies for each leg. It converts the overall plan into a practical navigation tool that works in the field. For a multi-day walk, building one before you go is a step that distinguishes leaders who are genuinely prepared from those who are mostly hoping for the best.
What Goes On a Route Card
- Start and end point for each leg with grid references
- Bearing from start to end point
- Distance in kilometres
- Estimated time (using Naismith's Rule or similar)
- Key features to look for along the leg: ridgelines, creek crossings, track junctions
- Escape routes off the intended line
- Campsite location and water source for each night
Working Out Timing
Naismith's Rule estimates one hour per 5km on flat ground, plus one hour for every 600m of ascent. For descent, add time on steep technical terrain. For a group, add a buffer of 20 to 30 percent on top of the base estimate to account for rest stops and group pace. The route card timing is your planned schedule, not a target to race against.
Checking Your Position
A route card gives you checkpoints to confirm your position against. When you reach a feature on your card, you know you are on track. If you reach a feature that is not on your card, you know something has diverged from the plan. Catching navigation errors early, while you still know roughly where you are, is significantly easier than trying to work out your position after an hour of uncertain walking.
Using the LogsKeptSimple Route Planner
The route planner on the LogsKeptSimple website lets you draw your route on a map and automatically calculates distances and elevation. You can use this data to populate your route card. The route can also be attached to your activity plan and risk assessment, keeping all the documentation for the trip in one place.
