As developers of Wolf Maps, Tim and I build maps ourselves too. It helps us test the tool and creates strong example maps. Every map we build also makes us better map makers.
I chose National Park Drentsche Aa: a landscape full of forests, streams, and thousand-year-old dolmens, and also the area where I grew up. Making a map is not obvious for everyone, so in this article I explain how I made this map and how you can do it for your own region.
My first step: check if a digital map already existed. I found only a beautiful PDF map. Great for scanning the area in advance, but less useful for detail and on-site use. Still, it was a perfect starting point for a new interactive map because the park organization knows the area best.
Next, I created a new map in Wolf Maps Studio. You can do this too by creating an account.
A Drentsche Aa logo and a background photo of the characteristic stream-valley landscape became the starting point. I also added a short description so visitors know what to expect.
Drentsche Aa is recognizable by its area boundary. I extracted that boundary as a data file from OpenStreetMap. In many cases organizations already have boundary files available, but because this is an example map I used OSM. Email me if you also want a boundary on your map.
Then I created categories. Categories help visitors focus faster using color and symbols. Based on the PDF map, I could define a fitting category set.
By adding categories first, I get a better overview of how to structure locations. It is a blueprint for the rest of the map.
Often there are datasets for existing areas, which can be imported into Wolf Maps so places appear immediately. In this case I did not have such a dataset, so I added locations manually.
The map is not finished yet. I am currently enriching content with better photos and clear descriptions.
Finally, I added several walking routes to the Drentsche Aa map. These are existing GPX files that I uploaded to Wolf Maps and attached to route starting points.
Those routes are not in the original PDF map because it lacks detail. With an interactive map, you can zoom in, use your phone location, and actually follow the route in the field.
I have made hiking routes for years, in mountains and for multi-day hikes in the Netherlands. Building a complete map in Wolf Maps feels great. And with Wolf Maps, anyone can become a map maker. Want to build one too? Sign up via Wolf Maps. Questions? Email me at aljan@wolfmaps.com.
See the full map below.
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