easier way to navigate between vim split panes

Long ago I found a tip (once on vim.org, now on wikia, apparently) that I've stuck with. Remap ctrl-[hjkl] to navigate splits. It has served me well.

" Use ctrl-[hjkl] to select the active split!
nmap <silent> <c-k> :wincmd k<CR>
nmap <silent> <c-j> :wincmd j<CR>
nmap <silent> <c-h> :wincmd h<CR>
nmap <silent> <c-l> :wincmd l<CR>

I prefer hitting single keys over hitting key-chords. The following maps pane movement to arrow keys:

" Smart way to move between panes
map <up> <C-w><up>
map <down> <C-w><down>
map <left> <C-w><left>
map <right> <C-w><right>

I know this is an old question, but I have a perfect way. Using the number of the split.

split_number C-w C-w

for example to go to split number 3 do this 3 C-w C-w, press Ctrl-w twice.