How is Your Sense of Direction on the Trail? [Survey]

We need to go this way, I'm sure of it...

By Jeff Barber
May 17, 2020 Last Updated: September 17, 2021

7 comments

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Having a good sense of direction is a handy skill for mountain biking, whether solo or with a group. These days GPS units, improved maps and signage, and even websites and apps can help keep riders on track. Still, some just seem to be born with a knack for finding the right path — or completely losing it — every time they go for a ride.

Do you have a good story about getting lost on the trail? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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A mountain bike parked on a rocky outcrop overlooking a scenic mountainous landscape. The bike features a green frame with colorful purple and gold accents, large knobby tires, and is positioned on a dirt trail surrounded by dry grass and rocks. The sky is partly cloudy, enhancing the outdoor atmosphere.

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7 Comments

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abegold Arizona // 2006
May 23, 2020

Didn't get lost riding at Little Creek Mountain, UT. Before many trail cairns erected this one confuses many, on and finding the trail. Cairns are out of the native rock which blends into the scenery, hard to spot often. Rarely feel lost.

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rjjg11 North Carolina // 2020
May 17, 2020

Have to put that Geography degree to use sometime...

m.krupp Kentucky // 2018
May 19, 2020

I am okay. I become more confident and better if I have had some time to get my hands on a hard map. I don't like relying on a phone for lots of reasons. Prefer a hard map and having a compass to aide. I try to practice having a scouting trip to new trails before I plan a big all out ride or go with others. Enjoy the rides much more if I dedicate some time to getting to know trail and not focus on riding as much.

Lanzarmstrong Virginia // 2020
May 17, 2020

I thought I was a master at MTB navigation until I got lost biking up to My. Elbert Co I learned my lesson well that day.

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
May 18, 2020

I usually find an aerial map of the trail and identify big features and trail directions before hand. When I am on the trail I try and maintain my sense of direction with the sun or the topography and typically do pretty good job at making directional decisions. I also have a old school compass just in case.

rmap01 Maryland // 2013
May 21, 2020

I've proven to myself over-and-over that this is not my forte. TG for Trailforks!

Andrew Steele 2018
May 18, 2020

Most wrong turns are minor but I made one awesome wrong turn which added 24km to a planned 46km ride with a friend on the remote Great North Road north of Sydney. We were never lost but I just did not know where we were. I missed a fairly significant arrow at an intersection and after 12km of great riding I thought I better check where we were - had to climb a ridge to get phone reception and a map location only to find we were heading the opposite direction. On the way back my mate broke his derailleur which we rigged up to get home, we ran out of food, ran low on water and got back to the car exhausted. Ended up being a great ride - accidently discovered a beautiful area, had some challenges and made some great memories. One of the best wrong turns I have ever made. We have repeated the ride a few times since - but I now know where we are.

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