The first thing you need to do is to choose suitable hiking companions. If you wants to amble leisurely through forest-covered lowlands, following some meandering stream until you find a suitable campsite near an inviting swimming hole, that's great. Now it's time for some route planning. It is an excellent idea to have a guidebook that was written for the area where you are going to be hiking. Examples of guidebooks can be found in the Trail Guides section of The Leisurely Backpacker's Reading List .
Most guidebooks contain topographic maps.
A topographic map uses contour lines to portray the shape and elevation of the land. Topographic maps show both natural and man-made features, including roads and trails. The ability of of topographic map to show elevation, as well as the location of trails, makes this type of map an indispensable aid to hikers and backpackers alike. When planning a route, there are several things to take into consideration. First of all, if you haven't done any hiking or backpacking recently, you will certainly want to pick a short, easy route.