Sharpen your navigation ability with a two-day NNAS Silver course based in Dartmoor’s open and varied moorland. Training builds on your existing map and compass skills, helping you feel more assured when navigating across ground where paths are unclear or absent. The course also strengthens your decision-making and confidence when planning and following more complex countryside routes.
Your first day introduces a refresh of key navigation techniques before moving into more demanding map skills. Early sessions take advantage of Dartmoor’s varied landscape to practise contour interpretation, identify subtle terrain shifts, and strengthen accuracy when using compass bearings. These exercises give you greater independence when moving away from obvious paths.
On the second day, practical navigation takes place in more open areas where clear handrails are limited. This encourages careful route choice, increased use of collecting features, and structured relocation if you drift off line. The terrain provides realistic challenges that help refine problem-solving skills, distance judgement, and confidence in unfamiliar ground. By the end of day two, you’ll be ready to apply everything learned to your own countryside walks.
A final discussion reviews your progress and supports your long-term development. Successful candidates receive NNAS Silver certification, recognising competence navigating in more complex rural environments.
Dartmoor is ideal for intermediate navigation training thanks to its broad moorland, distinctive tors, and rolling terrain. Wide visibility, open ground, and minimal signage allow for accurate practice of bearings and detailed contour interpretation. The landscape’s openness also helps you learn to recognise subtle terrain changes, an essential part of progressing beyond basic navigation.
Away from the tors, Dartmoor’s valleys, reentrants, slopes, and mixed vegetation add variety to the training environment. These features create realistic opportunities to apply relocation strategies and develop a deeper understanding of how ground shapes influence safe route planning. Each training location is chosen to challenge your ability while maintaining a supportive environment.
Previous navigation experience is required, ideally at NNAS Bronze level or equivalent. Comfort walking for several hours on uneven ground is helpful, as most practical exercises take place away from surfaced paths.
Personal walking gear is needed, including boots, outdoor clothing, food, drinks, and a small backpack. Maps and compasses are provided for the duration of the course, and instructors will advise on kit suitable for future independent navigation.
Experienced instructors provide clear, supportive coaching that helps you develop genuine confidence navigating in open countryside. Each skill is introduced in a practical, approachable way, with time dedicated to reviewing progress and strengthening any areas where you want more guidance. You’ll receive meaningful feedback throughout the course, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable learning experience.
The Dartmoor environment allows the training team to tailor sessions to your exact level, gradually increasing complexity as you grow more assured. Large stretches of open land, distinct tors, and varied contour features make it possible to practise every element of the Silver syllabus in real terrain. The focus remains on helping you feel capable, independent, and prepared for longer or more remote countryside journeys.
For more information contact us before making your booking
A foundation of basic navigation skills is needed before joining this course. If you can read simple maps, follow linear features, and use a compass to orient your route, you’re ready to progress.
Many people complete an NNAS Bronze Award first, but equivalent experience from hillwalking, DofE, or other navigation sessions is completely acceptable. The course builds on what you already know and helps you move confidently into intermediate countryside terrain.
Silver navigation introduces more complex contour work and requires you to navigate away from clear handrails such as paths, walls, or streams. Expect more open-ground decisions, trickier route choices, and deeper use of the compass.
Bronze teaches essential foundations; Silver teaches judgement, problem-solving, and independence. This step-up helps prepare you for walking in more challenging, less defined countryside areas.
Dartmoor’s open ground includes gentle slopes, heathland, grassy sections, and occasional rocky areas. Most participants find the physical level manageable as the pace is steady and focused on accuracy rather than speed.
Breaks are built into the day, and instructors monitor the group’s comfort and safety throughout. If navigation difficulty increases, physical difficulty does not have to — learning always comes first.
Visibility changes on Dartmoor are common, making it a perfect location to try bearings, pacing, and relocation techniques when conditions allow. You’ll experience how to adapt when ground features become harder to recognise.
Instructors take advantage of natural changes in weather to demonstrate safe decision-making and how to rely on the compass instead of visual cues. These experiences help prepare you for real-world hillwalking situations.
Personal walking gear is essential, including boots, layered clothing, waterproofs, water, and food. A small rucksack helps carry spare layers, snacks, and anything needed for the weather at the time.
Maps and compasses are supplied during the course, and instructors will explain how to choose suitable equipment if you decide to purchase your own afterwards.
Silver navigation skills form an excellent foundation for those aiming for Mountain Training walking qualifications, outdoor leadership roles, or scouting permits. The techniques covered reflect the expectations of responsible outdoor supervision.
Learning to judge terrain, plan routes, and relocate efficiently gives future leaders the confidence to manage groups in a wider range of countryside conditions.
Contour interpretation, open-ground navigation, and use of accurate bearings are core areas of practice. Distance estimation through pacing and timing also plays a big role in improving accuracy.
Route choices, attack points, and collecting features are explored through practical exercises, helping you develop a reliable decision-making process that suits varied terrain.
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Devon, United Kingdom
From £195
About the centre
Newton Abbot
Operated by Aquila Outdoor Adventures, a partner of adventuro.
