Topographic maps are very detailed and they even include the location of all major buildings present at the time that the map was made. So one thing you might want to try is to locate the place where you dwell on a topographic map.
Start by finding the town where you live. Each town is labeled with its name. If you are having trouble with this, try locating a geographic feature, such as a river or mountain range that is adjacent to your home.
Then locate the street where you live, which will be marked with a street symbol and usually labeled by name. Then you will have to look at all the tiny black silhouettes until you come across the one that sits on the part of the street where you live.
You can plan a walking route on the map that covers your house or a place away from home like a nearby national forest or state park. Choose a starting point. If you are traveling away from home, this could be a large parking lot or a trailhead.
Now make your route out as a complete circuit that will bring you back to the beginning point without much difficulty. You will need to clearly understand the symbols for a foot trail, a jeep trail and an unimproved road. You might even include a section of your walking journey that crosses open land, where there is no trail. Just make sure this part of the trip crosses high ground instead of sending you through a swamp. All of this will require some knowledge of contour lines and intervals, as well as knowing the symbols for the various types of wetlands.
Keep in mind the intangible element of private land. It is best to plan your walk in a national forest, state park or a place near to home, where you know the lay of the land and perhaps some of the landowners.
