The more we rely on digital navigational tools, the more important it is that technology actually points us in the right direction.
"In challenging terrain, the margins that separate safe trails from dangerous detours are very small. If the digital track is 50 metres wrong, it can have major consequences," says Ole Edward Wattne, a researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) Department of Design.
Wattne and his colleague Frode Volden have investigated how people find their way when they are in the outdoors, and whether a well-known theory for wayfinding in a man-made environment, Barker's taxonomy, also applies in the forests and mountains.
The researchers conducted a survey in which 401 people answered how they orient themselves when they are out on a backcountry trip. Most were young adults between the ages of 20 and 39. The participants themselves described which strategies and aids they usually use.
The researchers analysed the responses with an eye to choices, how well the travellers understood the terrain, and which tools people actually use.
A clear finding: As many as 81 per cent used digital maps on their mobile phones. Google and Apple Maps are the most popular.
"This means that we must ensure that the good principles and practices for labelling and orientation are included in the digital domain," says Wattne.
The researchers also described another development, where beautiful natural images on social media cause more and more people to seek out demanding hiking destinations.
"Many people are lured by spectacular photos from so-called 'honey-pot locations' such as Trolltunga and Lofoten. When inexperienced hikers only navigate with a map on their mobile phone, the risk of getting lost or ending up in dangerous situations increases," says Wattne.
He mentions research from the UK that suggests that number of rescue operations is on the increase for young people who only use mobile navigation.
Wattne and Volden found that the strategies we use in man-made environments also apply in the outdoors.
Barker's taxonomy describes three forms of behaviour: social, semantic and spatial strategies, and is directly transferable to how we find our way in nature. It describes a set of behaviours that we humans use regardless of the type of environment we are in.
These are the three ways we find our way:
The researchers saw that the participants in the study often combined several strategies at the same time. In other words, we use technology, our understanding of the terrain and social information when we navigate outside.
"We should teach the digital generation to use social and spatial strategies in addition to the semantic ones from the mobile phone. Several strategies provide safer and better experiences in the backcountry," says Wattne.
The researchers emphasize that safe travel is not about putting away your mobile phone, but about having alternatives if the technology fails. Paper maps, marked trails and asking other hikers remain important tools for your backpack.
Reference:
Wattne OE, Volden F. Wayfinding behaviours in natural environments . Journal of Navigation. Published online 2025:1-15. doi:10.1017/S0373463325101367
Journal of Navigation
Survey
People
Wayfinding behaviours in natural environments
25-Nov-2025