Outdoor Skill · Navigation
Take a Compass Bearing
A baseplate compass is one of the most satisfying tools a kid can hold, and taking a bearing is easier than it looks. In ten minutes your family can learn to point, box the needle, read the degree number, and walk a straight line to any landmark in sight.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, teaches families with children ages 4-14 how to take a compass bearing using a baseplate compass. It covers the four core steps: point the direction-of-travel arrow at a target, rotate the bezel to box the magnetic needle, read the degree bearing, and follow that bearing on foot. The page includes a backyard or park practice drill and explains real trail situations where this skill proves useful. All instruction is written in plain, confident language suited to first-time navigators.
| Cost | Low, one baseplate compass |
|---|---|
| Season | Any |
| Best ages | 5 and up |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Time to learn | 5 to 15 minutes |
What a bearing actually is
A compass bearing is simply a direction expressed as a number between 0 and 359 degrees. North is 0 (or 360), east is 90, south is 180, west is 270. Every other direction on earth falls somewhere in between. When you take a bearing to a landmark, you are turning a fuzzy idea like 'that rocky peak over there' into a precise number your whole family can read, remember, and follow, even after the peak disappears behind trees. That number is the bearing. The skill of finding it is called taking a bearing, and it takes about thirty seconds once you know the steps.
What you need
You need one baseplate compass, sometimes called an orienteering compass. The clear plastic kind with a rotating bezel and a red-and-white needle works perfectly. Brands like Suunto and Silva make durable, affordable versions widely available at outdoor retailers. You do not need a map for this exercise, though a map is a natural next step. Metal objects, car keys, and belt buckles can pull the needle off true, so take a step away from the truck before you begin. Kids as young as five or six can hold the compass level and read the numbers with a little coaching.
Taking a bearing, step by step
**Step 1: Point.** Hold the compass level in your palm and aim the direction-of-travel arrow, the one printed on the baseplate, at your chosen landmark. A big tree, a water tower, a hilltop all work fine.
**Step 2: Box the needle.** Without moving the compass body, rotate the bezel until the red end of the magnetic needle sits inside the orienting arrow, sometimes called the shed. The red end of the needle should be pointing toward the N on the bezel. This is called boxing the needle.
**Step 3: Read the number.** Look at the degree mark where the direction-of-travel arrow meets the bezel. That number is your bearing. Call it out so everyone hears it.
**Step 4: Walk the line.** Keep the needle boxed and follow the direction-of-travel arrow. Glance down to check every minute or so. You are now walking a straight line toward your target.
Practice drill: the backyard triangle
You do not need a trail to practice. A backyard, a park lawn, or a school field works perfectly.
1. Stand at a starting point and pick a landmark roughly fifty feet away, such as a fence post or a tree. Take a bearing to it and write the number down. 2. Walk to that landmark using only the compass, checking the needle every ten steps. 3. From there, turn about 120 degrees to your right, pick a new landmark, and take a second bearing. 4. Walk to the second landmark the same way. 5. Repeat one more time and try to end up back near where you started.
Running this loop two or three times builds real muscle memory. Younger kids love calling out the degree number like a co-pilot. Older kids can time themselves or add a fourth landmark to the circuit.
When you will use this on the trail
Compass bearings shine in three situations families actually encounter. First, when a trail junction has a confusing or missing sign, a bearing to the next visible peak tells you which fork points the right direction. Second, in open terrain like alpine meadows or wide beaches where there is no path at all, a bearing keeps you moving in a straight line instead of drifting in slow circles. Third, if fog or a sudden snowfall reduces visibility, a bearing taken on a known landmark before the cloud rolled in gives you a line to follow. None of these require expert skills, just the four steps you already practiced.
Tips that stick
Keep the compass level. A tilted compass lets the needle drag against the housing and gives a false reading. Make it a habit to hold it flat like a tray of lemonade.
Always double-check by boxing the needle again before you take your first step. Thirty extra seconds here saves a lot of backtracking.
Assign the compass to a different family member each leg of a hike. Kids who hold the tool feel responsible for the navigation and pay attention in a way that observers simply do not.
If your reading seems wildly off from what your eyes tell you, check for nearby metal and re-take the bearing a few steps away. Compasses are reliable; interference from objects is the usual culprit.
Write down the bearing you took to your favorite landmark today. Describe what the landscape looked like while you were walking that line, and whether you ended up where you expected.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest compass for kids to use?
A clear baseplate orienteering compass is the easiest type for beginners of any age. The large rotating bezel and printed direction-of-travel arrow make each step visible. Look for one with large, readable degree markings on the bezel. Avoid button or watch-style compasses for learning; they lack the bezel and baseplate that make the steps intuitive.
Does a compass work without a map?
Yes. Taking a bearing to a visible landmark and walking that bearing requires no map at all. A map becomes useful when you want to find your position on paper or navigate to a destination you cannot see, but the basic skill of pointing, boxing the needle, and reading a number works entirely on its own.
Why does my compass needle point the wrong way sometimes?
The most common cause is metal interference. Car keys, a belt buckle, a knife, or even a phone held too close can pull the magnetic needle away from true north. Step away from metal objects and the needle will settle correctly. If the problem persists outdoors, check that you are using the red end of the needle, not the white end, as your reference.
How accurate does a bearing need to be for hiking?
For most family hiking situations, being within a few degrees of your target bearing is plenty accurate. A small error at the compass translates to a modest drift over a short distance, and you can usually spot your landmark and correct course easily. Precision matters more over very long distances in featureless terrain, which is an advanced skill built on top of the basics covered here.