The Grid North Challenge

What is it? An aim to complete one walk on every 1:25 000 scale map covering the northern counties of England. There are 53 maps in total.

Why am I doing it? I am writing a hiking guidebook to the north of England which will contain an even spread of trails. Some of these will be in big cities, such as Manchester, others in remote parts of England. This is because I would like to help people learn how to explore and navigate from anywhere in the north. I am also writing a second book which will detail how I came up with the idea, how I am managing all the logistics and hopefully this will help others to manage their own ideas and plans.

Why is it called ‘Grid North’? I am a Mountain Leader and teach navigation to people. Grid North is the name given to the process of orientating your map with a compass and taking a bearing to accurately measure your direction of travel. I am using Grid North as a metaphor for working out where you are going in life as well as on the map in each place.

Why is there a deadline? Because I feel that this will help me stay on track and also I am writing about the process. Having a sense of urgency about something on this scale can be useful. It will consume a lot of my spare time and it would not be very good if that were to continue for many years.

For an overview of the map sections please use this link here

Follow my progress on YouTube, Instagram and also fee free to email me with any questions: info@leadforaliving.co.uk. See you out on the hill!

There are 53 maps to walk on by 15th December 2026. My Journey So Far:

1. Saturday 20th December – Map 288 Shipley to Baildon Moor via Saltaire

2. Sunday 21st December – Map 297 Fewston and Swinsty Reservoirs

3. Tuesday 23rd December – Map 289 Leeds to Garforth via the Transpennine Trail and St Aiden’s Nature Reserve

4. Friday 26th December – Map 278 The Five Weirs Walk from Sheffield via Meadowhall

5. Wednesday 31st December – OL21 Top Withins from Haworth

6. Coming Soon: 277 Manchester

7. Coming Soon: 276