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Maps The map is not the territory. -- Alfred Korzybski The first, and most important thing I have to say about maps is that Maps Are Not Optional (see Safety). The route descriptions I have given for each stage are NOT a substitute for maps: they are meant only to help you identify which of the many trails and/or roads indicated on a map are the ones that the H2H uses. My route descriptions are in fact intentionally sketchier than they could have been in order to minimize the risk of them being used as map substitutes. I have only added details when a map did not match the reality on the ground (see quote above), and thus there was a risk of you going astray even when using a map. There are many excellent suppliers of maps for the Alps. You'll want to get either 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 scale topographic maps with hiking trails indicated clearly upon them. The suppliers I used were:
Logistics It is neither safe nor sensible to assume that you can buy maps as you need them along the way. Nor is it wise to cut them them up so that you are only taking "corridor" maps, for a couple of reasons:
So, some sort of restocking policy is advisable. If you have friends joining you along the way, you could arrange to have them bring new sets of maps with them (and at the end, take back the used ones). Or you could have someone mail them post restante to villages along the H2H, and then send the old ones back when you pick the new ones up. However, either way, it is necessary to think about logistics. Maps Used Each stage page on this site lists the map(s) used for the stage, and the maps are also listed in the itinerary. For reference purposes, I've included the complete list of maps by supplier below: Kompass
Swisstopo
IGN
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H2H: The House to House Hike
