Navigation Courses in the Lake District
Learn how to use a compass to navigate accurately
Developing strong navigation and mountain skills is crucial to safely and responsibly enjoy the mountain environment.
We offer more than just your average navigation course. We believe that every walker and climber should have the skills and ability to handle inclement weather, poor visibility, the need to relocate, navigate in the dark, move safely on steep ground, and manage emergencies on the hill.
We offer two course options: a 1-day introductory course and a 2-day comprehensive course.
The blueprints below outline the skills we cover on each course. However, we believe in bespoke, tailored instruction, so the actual course content will be customised to your skill level and goals, ensuring you a unique and high quality experience.
Day 1: Introductory Skills
- Understanding map symbols
- Orientating the map
- Taking 6-figure grid-references
- Basic compass skills
- Simple navigation strategies
- Estimating time and distance
- Basic contour interpretation
- Relocation: What to do when you don’t know where you are
Could you navigate safely in these conditions?
Plus learn mountain skills, such as:
- Planning a suitable, safe walk
- Basic weather knowledge and forecasting
- Equipment selection
- Handling emergencies
- Access and conservation
Day 2: Intermediate to Advanced Skills
- Micro-navigation
- Course and fine navigational strategies
- Aiming off, attack points, and tick-off features
- Navigating off contours
- Measuring distance using pacing and timing
- Advanced relocation strategies
- Walking on bearings and advanced compass work
- Map-to-ground versus ground-to-map techniques.
Information
Prices and Dates: We offer unique, tailored 1 and 2-day courses that can be scheduled at a time that works for you. Prices for our courses are shown in the table below.
To book or learn more, click here, or you can reach us by telephone at 07702 942980.
| Number of people | 1-day Introductory course | 2-day Comprehensive course |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £190 | £380 |
| 2+ Pay this amount extra and share the overall cost | Extra £30pp | Extra £50pp |
Navigating in one of the more remote parts of the Lakes
Ages and Abilities: Our courses can be tailored for all ages and abilities, whether you’re a complete beginner who has never picked up a map, or an experienced navigator looking to take your skills to the next level.
Group Sizes and Ratios: We maintain a low instructor-to-client ratio to ensure the highest quality training possible. We can run your courses at 1:1, and for larger groups we would provide a separate instructor for each group of 6 clients.
Venue: We’ll select a venue that aligns with your goals and minimises travel time. We offer private courses in the Lake District, Snowdonia, and Scotland.
Kit: When you book a course, we’ll provide you with a kit list. However, all you really need is warm and waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear.
Times: We can schedule courses at a time that works for you, but usually a course will run from around 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Vouchers can be bought for all of our courses and experiences for your friends & family to redeem at their leisure. Buy a voucher
Want some free instruction? Head over to our new YouTube channel where we post regular videos. Click here to learn
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