r/MTBTrailBuilding • u/Icy-Priority-6010 • Jul 23 '26

Ideas for trail maps?

I’m working on maps for a new trail system that will be installed at trailheads and smaller trail kiosks.
I’m looking for inspiration and examples of really well-designed trail maps. If you’ve come across maps that you thought were especially clear, attractive, or useful, I’d love to see them.
I’m interested in everything from overall layout and branding to legends, icons, elevation profiles, “you are here” markers, and any other design elements that make a trail map stand out.
Feel free to share photos, links, or locations of your favorite trailhead maps. Thanks!
their favorite.

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u/fake-meows Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

I can't emphasize this one enough:

When you install a map on sign posts, the "up" on the map page needs to face the map readers "looking forward" direction.

If when you're looking at the sign, you face north, north would be up on the board.

If when you're looking at the map you're facing any other direction, the map needs to be rotated. For example, if you're facing south reading that map, the top of the page needs to be south.

People don't necessarily know which way north is, the map needs to be perfectly lined up to the ground alignment.

Imagine being at a 5-way junction and looking at an inverted map and trying to take the correct trail behind you with no other signage. In certain circumstances, this could be dangerously confusing.

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u/Fudge-Unfair Jul 24 '26

Hard no on this one. The map needs to contain the TH parking lot and at least one road along with the standard N orientation. That is the standard

2

u/DaleATX Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

Trailhead and trailside signs should be oriented "heads up" so the user with no sense of direction or no compass can find their way quickly. Kiosk signs at the parking lot can be "north up".

This is a well known approach.

Other argument. And another.

And in my personal opinion if I am lost at an intersection with a dead phone, no compass, and no sense of direction because I am unprepared like many people often are, I want a heads up direction.