At A Glance
Why choose this course?
- Build real navigation skills in a day — practical hands-on learning outdoors mastering skills
- Learn by doing with simple, clear techniques you can use immediately on your own walks
- Small groups mean individual coaching and feedback throughout the day
- A relaxed, confidence-building introduction perfect for hillwalkers of any experience level
- Designed to get you navigating independently as quickly as possible
Why choose Mountain Walks?
- Experienced Mountain Leaders who are expert coaches, not just qualified instructors
- Courses refined over a decade of teaching — we know what works and what doesn’t
- Small groups tailored to your pace, with support matched to your needs
- Outdoor-focused learning on real Lake District terrain — not stuck in a classroom all day
- Highly rated courses with many people returning to walk and learn with us again
Book Navigation Essentials
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Event Description
Navigation Essentials – 1 Day Navigation Course
Gain the skills and confidence to explore the hills independently. Navigation Essentials is a hands-on day in the Lake District where you’ll learn the fundamentals of map reading and compass use — and put them into practice on real terrain.
You’ll spend the day outside on real terrain, matching what you see on the ground to the map and building your confidence as you go. By the end of the course, you’ll have the foundation you need to plan and follow your own routes confidently — whether you’re heading into the mountains or exploring lower-level paths.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the day, you’ll be able to:
- Choose the right walking maps and understand what you’re looking at
- Orientate your map using the landscape and compass
- Follow natural handrails like paths, walls and streams with confidence
- Read contours so hills, valleys and slopes make sense
- Use your compass to set and hold a direction
- Plan realistic routes, measure distances and estimate walking time
- Spot when you’ve drifted off course and correct calmly
Who Is Navigation Essentials For?
This course is for anyone ready to navigate independently — whether you’re new to the hills or an experienced walker who’s always followed someone else.
It’s ideal if:
- You enjoy walking but don’t really know how to use a map and compass
- You’d like to feel more confident and self-reliant on the hills
- You want a clear, structured introduction to navigation that actually makes sense
- You’re tired of second-guessing yourself or relying on others to lead the way
Navigation Essentials teaches the foundational skills that every hillwalker needs, regardless of fitness level or how challenging your walks are.
Still Unsure If This Course Is For You?
We know choosing a navigation course can feel daunting if you’ve never done one before. Here’s what makes Navigation Essentials different:
- Small groups (maximum 6 people) so there’s plenty of time for questions and individual help
- A full day of hands-on practice on real Lake District terrain
- An experienced, friendly instructor with you from start to finish
- Teaching resources, maps and compasses provided on the day
- Relaxed, supportive coaching at a pace that works for you — no pressure, just practical learning
- Clear pre-course information so you know exactly what to bring and how the day will run
Still have questions? You’re always welcome to get in touch — we’re happy to help you find the right fit.
What our clients say...
“From a complete novice not knowing how to read a grid reference, to being able to map contour lines of surrounding terrain and navigate to a specified point. This is all down to the skills of the course instructor. Loved the tips given from plant life to kit. Thank you for a great Snowdonia map reading course”
Nicola Jennings