Tracing a route means following roads or paths between places and measuring the total distance with the scale. A map shows what is physically there, such as a road or track, but it does not by itself show who is allowed to use it.
This lesson uses the scale from relating a symbol to its legend and sits in map reference and direction.
How do you measure a route?
Follow these steps.
- Name the start and end with grid references or place names.
- Choose the route type the question wants: a road, a footpath or a named line.
- Measure each leg in centimetres, or lay string along any curve and measure the string.
- Add the legs, then convert with the scale.
- State the unit and say whether it is route length or straight-line distance.
What does the map say about access?
Describe the symbol, not the permission. A dashed line may be a footpath in the legend, which tells you there is a path. It does not tell you that every person may use it at every time, because the land may be managed by someone with local rules.
In an answer, write what the map shows, then say that access would need to be checked on the ground or with the local authority. For any real fieldwork, follow your teacher’s instructions and local safety guidance.
Worked example
This route is invented. The map scale is 1:50 000, so 1 cm is 0.5 km.
A route from a village to a lookout has three legs: 3.2 cm, 4.5 cm and 2.1 cm. The straight-line distance on the map is 6.4 cm.
Step 1, total on the map: 3.2 + 4.5 + 2.1 = 9.8 cm.
Step 2, convert: 9.8 × 0.5 = 4.9 km.
Step 3, compare with the straight line: 6.4 × 0.5 = 3.2 km. The route is 1.7 km longer, because it bends.
Step 4, time (an assumption): at an assumed walking speed of 5 km/h, 4.9 ÷ 5 = 0.98 h, about 59 minutes.
The mistake to watch for
The usual slips are using the straight line for a route and assuming the path is open.
Mistaken answer: the route is 3.2 km and anyone can use the footpath.
The student measured the straight line, and treated a dashed line as permission.
The correction is to measure along the legs and add them: 4.9 km. Then write “the map shows a footpath; access should be checked” in place of “anyone can use it”.
Check yourself
All values are invented.
1. On a 1:25 000 map, 1 cm is 250 m. A route measures 12 cm. How long is it on the ground?
Show answer
12 × 250 = 3000 m = 3 km.
2. On a 1:50 000 map, a route has two legs of 2.0 cm and 3.5 cm. Find the length in kilometres.
Show answer
2.0 + 3.5 = 5.5 cm. 5.5 × 0.5 = 2.75 km.
3. A dashed line crosses farmland between two villages. Can you say the public may walk it?
Show answer
No. You can say the map shows a path or track. Whether people may use it depends on local rules, signs and land management, which would need to be checked.
Where this leads next
Next, look at separating map location from administrative boundary. Try the mixed practice set when you have met all five lessons.
If your route measurements are inconsistent, a teacher in online one-to-one Geography tuition can check your method line by line.