Free Walking Tool
Lake District Compass
Live heading, GPS, OS Grid Reference, altitude & daylight remaining — straight from your phone. No account, no app, works offline on the fells.
Start the Compass
Tap below to allow your phone to share its compass heading and location. Nothing is stored on our servers — everything stays on your device.
On iPhone you'll see a permission pop-up — tap "Allow".
Readings are approximate and come from your phone's own sensors — they may be inaccurate, sometimes by several degrees or metres. Never rely on this as your only means of navigation. Always carry a map and compass. Full disclaimer
For accuracy, wave your phone in a figure-8 to calibrate.
Under 1 hour of daylight left — plan your descent.
Nearby Landmarks
Bearing and distance from your current position to well-known Lake District points, nearest first. Use these to take a bearing on a summit or find your way back to a car park. These are reference points, not a route — always follow a proper map.
- Waiting for your location…
My Waypoints
Save where you parked, a summit, or a junction. Each one shows the bearing and distance back to it from your current position. Stored only on this device.
- No waypoints saved yet. Tap "Mark Here" to save your current spot.
Safety on the Fells
The mountains can be dangerous. Weather changes quickly. Be prepared before you set out.
- Plan Your Route: Choose a walk that matches your fitness and experience. Check the weather forecast specifically for the mountains (e.g., MWIS).
- Tell Someone: Let someone know your route and what time you expect to be back.
- Wear the Right Gear: Wear sturdy walking boots with good grip. Pack waterproof layers, a hat, and gloves, even on a sunny day.
- Navigate Properly: Carry a map and compass and know how to use them. A fully charged phone with a GPS app is a good backup, but don't rely on it.
- Pack Essentials: Take plenty of food and water, a torch (headtorch is best), a first-aid kit, and an emergency whistle and survival bag.
- In an Emergency: If you are lost or injured, dial 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Essential OS Maps
A physical map and compass are essential for safety and navigation in the fells. These are the four Ordnance Survey Explorer maps that cover the entire Lake District National Park.
Disclaimer
This compass and all of the information it shows — heading, GPS coordinates, OS grid reference, altitude, daylight times, and landmark bearings and distances — are provided free of charge for general guidance only, on an "as is" basis, and are approximate. They must not be relied upon as a sole or primary means of navigation or as safety advice.
Every reading is produced by the sensors inside your own device (the compass/magnetometer and the GPS receiver) and displayed by your browser. These can be inaccurate, delayed or unavailable, and may be affected by terrain, weather, tree cover, nearby metal or electronics, low battery, or loss of signal — particularly in remote or mountainous areas such as the Lake District. Any value shown may be inaccurate, sometimes by several degrees or tens of metres. Landmark bearings and distances are straight-line estimates only and take no account of the terrain, paths, hazards, access restrictions or conditions between you and the point.
You should always carry an appropriate map and compass, suitable equipment and supplies, and have the navigation skills and experience needed before setting out. Use of this tool is entirely at your own risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, TheLakeDistrict.com accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, injury, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience arising directly or indirectly from use of this tool or reliance on the information it provides. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
How It Works
Is it really free?
Yes — no account, no sign-up, no app to install. It runs entirely in your browser and works offline once the page has loaded.
What's an OS Grid Reference?
An Ordnance Survey Grid Reference is the standard way to pinpoint a location in Great Britain, used on OS maps and by Mountain Rescue. A 10-figure reference like NY 21537 07203 locates you to within a few metres — exactly what you'd read out in an emergency.
Does it work without signal?
The compass and GPS both work without a mobile signal — they use your phone's built-in sensors, not the internet. Load this page before you set off and you can keep using it where there's no reception.
Where is my data stored?
Entirely on your own device, in your browser's local storage. Your waypoints and location never reach our servers. Clear your browser data and they're gone.
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