How To Read Topo Maps
Learn how to identify peaks, valleys, saddles, and slopes—all critical terrain features for locating game.
Contour Lines
The cornerstone for all topo maps is the contour line. How close contour lines are to one another indicates the elevation lost or gained on any slope aspect. The closer together the lines, the steeper the land. Spaces with no lines indicate flat ground.
The lines work by connecting points on your map that represent the same elevation. Every fifth line in the sequence is a thicker line referred to as an index line, and somewhere along that line is the exact elevation. To determine the elevation change in each contour line, take the difference in elevation between two index lines, then divide by the number of intervals between the index lines.
Contour lines create many shapes, and we cover the major features you’ll see below.
Cliffs
Extremely close contour lines indicate a sudden drop or rise in elevation—cliffs.
Valleys, Ravines, and Gullies
Contour lines in a U-shaped pattern indicate rounded gullies, and V-shaped lines indicate sharp valleys and gullies. Both the U and V shapes will point uphill toward higher elevations.
Ridges and Spurs
Contour lines in a pattern of Vs and Us pointing downhill indicate ridges and spurs.
Peaks and Summits
Large circles with smaller and smaller circles within them indicate peaks. The smallest inner ring or circle represents the highest point, the summit.
Bowls
Contour lines forming a semicircle that rises from a low point indicate a bowl.
Saddles
Contour lines that form an hourglass shape with rising contour lines on each side indicate a saddle.
