What a Route Card Is and Why It Matters

A route card is the written plan for a day on the hills. It turns a vague intention — “we’ll head up the ridge and see how we go” — into something concrete that every member of the group can read, question and carry. For fell walking, it is not bureaucracy. It is the difference between a smooth day out and a slow, worried scramble when the cloud comes down and the group spreads out. The card records where you are going, when you expect to be there, and what you will do if the weather or a twisted ankle changes the plan.

Grid References and the Route Itself

Start with precise grid references for the key points: the car park or road head, the first summit, any significant col or river crossing, and the final descent. Use the full grid reference, including the two-letter prefix, and write it clearly. A six-figure reference gets you within 100 metres on a 1:50,000 map; a ten-figure one is better for a tricky path junction. Add a short description too, because not everyone reads a map the same way.

• Start and finish: grid reference, nearest postcode if useful, parking and access notes.
• Summits and waypoints: names, heights in metres, and the bearing or path you intend to follow between them.
• Hazards: steep ground, boggy sections, river crossings, exposed ridges, or areas where navigation is tricky in poor visibility.
• Map and compass: which sheet or digital map the group is using, and whether everyone has a copy.

Timings That Reflect the Group, Not the Guidebook

Guidebook times are a starting point, not a promise. Use Naismith’s rule — roughly 5 kilometres per hour on the flat, plus one minute for every 10 metres of ascent — then adjust honestly. Add time for a large group, for photo stops, for a lengthy lunch, and for the slower walker. A group of eight moves more slowly than a pair. Write down the estimated time for each leg and a total, then add a buffer. If the day is 14 kilometres with 900 metres of ascent, do not pretend it is a four-hour outing. State the planned finish time and the latest safe turnaround time.

• Leg timings: start to first summit, summit to col, col to finish.
• Breaks: planned lunch stop and short rests, with approximate locations.
• Turnaround time: the hour at which you will turn back regardless of progress.
• Sunset and headtorch: note the time of dusk and carry a torch from October to March, and often beyond.

Escape Routes and Decision Points

Every route card should have at least one escape route — a way off the hill that avoids the main objective if the weather turns, someone slows down, or the group is running late. Mark these on the map and describe them on the card. A good escape route follows a clear path or a broad ridge down to a road, a valley, or a village. It should not require a difficult river crossing or a descent into unknown crags.

Identify decision points by grid reference: the point where you decide to continue or turn back, the point where you choose the ridge or the valley. Write down the criteria. “If cloud is below 600 metres and wind is above 40 mph, we take the valley path.” That sort of clarity prevents a debate on an exposed shoulder when everyone is cold.

Emergency Contacts and Group Information

The card should carry the details that matter if something goes wrong. Include the group leader’s name and mobile number, and a second contact who is not on the walk. List any medical conditions or allergies that group members are willing to share, along with emergency contact names and numbers. Note the location of the nearest telephone box, café, or village if one exists, and the grid reference of the nearest road access for mountain rescue.

• Emergency services: dial 999 or 112 and ask for police, then mountain rescue. Give the grid reference and a clear description of the location.
• Group list: names, mobile numbers, and who is carrying the group shelter, first aid kit, and spare map.
• Vehicle details: registration and parking location, useful if the day ends in a different valley.
• Local contacts: anyone expecting you, and the time they should raise the alarm if you are overdue.

Sharing the Card Before Departure

A route card is useless if it stays in one pocket. Share it before departure: send a digital copy to everyone in the group, print a few paper copies, and leave one with a responsible person at home. On the day, the leader carries the master copy and at least one other person carries a copy. Before you set off, read the key points aloud — objective, timings, escape routes, emergency contacts — and check that everyone understands the plan. The hills reward preparation, and a good route card is one of the simplest ways to prepare well. It lets you spend less time worrying about the logistics and more time enjoying the view, the weather, and the company.