Kerry Way Ordnance Survey Maps

[drlogs]

Can anyone offer some feedback as to whether the OS maps are necessary for the Kerry Way?  Thank you.  Lisa

I may be walking the Kerry Way in September, 2010.  I have purchased the Kerry Way guidebookbut am wondering how necessary the OS maps are for this walk.  Is the walk waymarked so well that the book alone will suffice for navigation or are the maps a necessity?

My husband and I walked the West Highland Way this last fall and didn't even crack open our OS maps, and only consulted our book periodically as this path was so well waymarked.  Thus the purchase of the maps was a waste of money. Any feedback would be most appreciated.  Thank you.  Lisa

[libertysyndrome]

Hi Lisa,

Through my experience with long haul hikes, guides are usually enough if you have pre arranged accomodation. If you are planning on camping wild, the OS maps are very useful for looking ahead to find possible camping locations. Another thing to consider is the possibility a member of your group could be injured and require rescue, in this instance an OS map grid reference is the quickest way to be found. It is recommended that you have OS maps but not essential as the way is fairly well marked. I hope this helps your decision.

James

[Jacquetta]

Hello Lisa

First, I'm not surprised you didn't need OS maps on the West Highland Way: it has much better, and more consistent, waymarking than Kerry Way.  A decent map may not be needed if you don't get lost but is surprisingly useful if you do.

Second, by September 2010 our new edition will be out.  We are working on this at present, and it documents all the changes to the route (not inconsiderable) and if you bought your guidebook direct from us we can arrange a swap for you if you email us separately.

I mention route changes, because it is a separate exercise to work out whether your "OS" maps (which are presumably OSI Discoverer series 1:50,000) are new enough to show the various changes.  Put differently, I suggest you don't buy them in advance for this very reason, buy locally and when you get there.  You'd only need to buy 2 or 3 in total and they are sold much more cheaply in Ireland than online.

I hope this helps a bit?
Jacquetta