Find your confidence in the hills with this one-day navigation course designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to travel safely across open terrain. You’ll start with the basics before moving onto more advanced techniques, learning how to use maps, compasses, and natural features to plan routes and stay on track. By the end of the day, you’ll feel ready to head out on your own walks with the assurance that you can navigate even in more challenging conditions.
You’ll begin the day with an introduction to essential navigation tools, including how to read maps accurately, use a compass effectively, and recognise key features in the landscape. Instructors will explain how to plan routes, measure distances, and estimate timings to ensure you can move with confidence. The first part of the course focuses on simple but crucial techniques that build a solid foundation for all future walking.
As the course progresses, you’ll get the chance to practise in the chalk grassland around Farthing Downs. You’ll work on strategies for navigating in poor visibility such as fog or low light, learning techniques that are useful in both everyday walks and more challenging mountain environments. There will also be plenty of opportunities to apply your skills through practical route planning, walking exercises, and real-time problem-solving scenarios guided by your instructor.
This course is based in the South London National Nature Reserve, a stunning area of chalk grassland on the North Downs, with the training centred around Farthing Downs in Coulsdon. It’s a unique setting that combines accessibility with a sense of open countryside, giving you varied terrain to test your skills on without needing to travel far from the city.
The landscape offers grassy ridges, wooded sections, and wide open areas—ideal for practising both straightforward navigation and trickier techniques. The area’s clear viewpoints and hidden paths provide plenty of real-world challenges to put your learning into action while still being in a safe and manageable environment.
You’ll need a reasonable level of general fitness and the ability to be on your feet all day, as the course involves several hours of walking and standing in the outdoors.
No previous navigation or hill walking experience is required, making this course suitable for complete beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.
The centre is run by an instructor with over a decade of experience teaching navigation across the UK. From the Isle of Skye to the South Downs, the knowledge shared is rooted in both personal practice and professional qualifications, including the Summer Mountain Leader award.
With small group sizes and a hands-on approach, every participant gets the chance to practise thoroughly and ask questions. The supportive environment ensures you leave the course with skills you can use straight away, whether you’re planning a casual walk or a more ambitious day in the hills.
Yes, private courses are available.
These private sessions offer a tailored experience where you can set your own pace and focus on the skills most interesting to your group. You can book these by using the 'Can't find dates or have a large group?' button above the booking form and sending us an enquiry.
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No previous navigation experience is necessary to attend this course. It has been designed to introduce complete beginners to the essential tools and techniques of navigation in a clear and structured way. All the basics will be explained carefully, from map reading to compass work, so you won’t feel out of your depth.
Those with some existing knowledge often find the course useful for filling gaps in their understanding or for building confidence in more challenging conditions. Because the course is practical, there is plenty of opportunity to ask questions and practise skills under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
A reasonable level of general fitness is recommended as the course involves being outdoors on your feet for the majority of the day. The terrain is uneven in places, but the pace is steady, with frequent stops to focus on navigation tasks and explanations.
Participants should feel comfortable walking for several hours, carrying a small rucksack with personal kit, food, and water. The focus is on learning rather than covering long distances, so as long as you can manage a day’s hill walking at a relaxed pace, you will be fine.
A full kit list is provided in advance so you can prepare properly for the day. Items include waterproof clothing, sturdy walking boots, a rucksack, and personal essentials such as a first aid kit and any medication you may need. A notebook and pencil are also useful for making notes during exercises.
You’ll also need to bring enough food and drink for the whole day. There is no access to drinking water or shops once the course begins, so please pack accordingly. A thermos with a hot drink can be especially welcome during colder months.
The course covers a wide range of navigation skills, starting with the fundamentals of map reading, recognising features, and understanding scales. You’ll progress onto compass use, route planning, and timing, which are essential when moving across unfamiliar terrain.
Additional topics include how to interpret weather forecasts for safe walking, as well as strategies for navigating in poor visibility such as fog or darkness. By the end of the day, you’ll feel confident applying these skills independently on your own walks.
The course is taught by a qualified Summer Mountain Leader with extensive experience in navigation training across the UK. With over a decade of teaching under her belt, the instructor has worked with groups in diverse environments, from the South Downs to the Isle of Skye.
Her approach is supportive and practical, aimed at building confidence at every step. She provides clear explanations, demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to practise so that participants leave feeling capable and independent.
The course will go ahead in most weather conditions, as learning to navigate in less-than-ideal circumstances is an important part of building confidence. Skills such as using a compass in low visibility or choosing safe routes when the ground is wet are particularly valuable in real-world walking situations.
However, participant safety is always the priority. If weather conditions are judged to be unsafe—for example, in the case of severe storms or high winds—alternative arrangements will be discussed, which may include rescheduling the course.
Completing this course will give you the confidence to explore beyond well-marked trails and into more remote areas with greater independence. You’ll gain the ability to plan routes accurately, assess conditions, and make informed decisions about your walks.
These skills are useful whether you’re heading out for a gentle day walk or preparing for more ambitious challenges in upland terrain. Many participants leave the course excited to test their new abilities and report feeling much more secure about navigating without relying on guidebooks or apps.
About the centre
Farthing Downs Car Park
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Operated by Pippin & Gile Bushcraft & Foraging Courses, a partner of adventuro.
