Answer

By Country Walking magazine

At almost 200 miles, it takes a stack of eight Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (scale 1:25,000) to cover the coast to coast route. From west to east you'll need 303, OL4, OL5, OL19, OL30, 304, OL26 and OL27.

You'd think that opting for the smaller scale OS Landrangers (1:40,000) might mean fewer sheets, but unfortunately they fall awkwardly for this trail so you're still looking at a total of eight.

Clearly, this number of maps can add up in weight and cost. The OS used to cover the entire route in just two strip maps at a scale of 1:27,777 - the very popular OL33 and OL34. Sadly, these were discontinued some years ago and second-hand copies are like gold-dust. Optimists should check eBay or Amazon (and there are pdfs of what you're missing here).

Two companies still produce good strip maps. Harvey Maps cover it in two waterproof sheets at a scale of 1:40,000. They're £11.95 each, with added info about facilities. Footprint Maps also cover it in two maps at the same scale, and on waterproof paper, but come in a bit cheaper at £4.95 each.

And it's worth remembering that navigating with any strip map can be problematic; they necessarily only cover a small area each side of your route, so navigating by distant peaks can be tricky, and if you go very wrong or want to make a detour, you can soon find yourself off the map.

It's up to you which style of map you prefer, but we'd probably go with the stack of OS Explorers. Weight can be reduced by removing covers (which makes them easier to fold anyway) or posting them home when you're finished. Or you can try buying them on route, always making sure you have the next two maps on from the one you're walking (and praying that the local shops haven't sold out of the one you need).