Apps, Maps, Route Planning & Navigation

For navigation there are some free apps that use the mobile GPS signal with maps that are pre-loaded so that a mobile data connection isn't needed (ie offline). The free apps 'OsmAnd' and OrganicMaps are excellent for this purpose. They have a quality map render and many features including navigation and are free, i.e. no subscription needed. These apps are very useful for off road mapping and navigation, they do show footpaths but not as rights of way like the Ordnance Survey. They provide worldwide coverage. Google Maps is not covered here as it's not so good for off road mapping and navigation.

OsmAnd

On the mobile, download and install OsmAnd
In the settings disable automatic downloading of maps. If you're located in an area for which there's no map currently on the device, you may be prompted to download that area and you have the option to proceed or not. Beware; the maps are typically per region, e.g. North West, Yorkshire etc. Don't download the whole country.
Download the map of the area of interest (drill down the hierarchy of countries, counties etc). 7 maps can be downloaded and used for free. If you get in a situation when you've used up the 7 free downloads and you want to download a new area then un-install and re-install the app.
The app now only needs a GPS signal
It's feature rich with far too many options to describe here. It's worth spending some time exploring the app in depth.
OsmAnd home page

Organic Maps

On the mobile, download and install Organic Maps
In the settings disable automatic downloading of maps. If you're located in an area for which there's no map currently on the device, you may be prompted to download that area and you have the option to proceed or not.
To get a map that's in an area not yet downloaded just pan and zoom the map to the area of interest then a prompt should appear for download
The app now only needs a GPS signal
This is much less feature rich than OsmAnd but does include contours for free.
Organic Maps home page

WalkLakes web page

This does need an internet connection and is a useful tool for route planning. Also one can screenshot and print the page(s) of interest to take on a hike or ride.

There's a lot of useful information on the home page
To obtain access to the Ordnance Survey Maps register for a free account
Login
Via the GPS Mapping tab the default map will be of type 'WayMaps'. This is their own style of mapping.
From the layers icon in the top left hand corner select 'OS'.
Country wide OS mapping is available down to 1:25,000 and at an excellent zoom, far better than available on a paper map.
Note that there is also a satellite map 'ESRI images'
To plot a route move the mouse and click a point. Then another etc.
You should see the route being built up in a popup box with length, ascent, Naismith etc
Also blue lines will be drawn to connect the points.
Notice that in the middle of every line joining two points is a small circle that can be dragged to form a new point between the two end points.
Points can be repositioned by selecting and dragging
A good feature is that while plotting a route you can toggle between the OS and Satellite map layers
The route can now be downloaded as a GPX then uploaded or emailed as an attachment to use in the preferred tool / app (RideWithGps, Komoot etc) to use out and about.
If on a mobile device, after download there should be an option to 'Open With' then OsmAnd or Organic Maps can be selected. On OsmAnd the route will go into 'My Places' / 'Tracks'
Walk Lakes home page