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A full day in the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect setting to learn map reading, compass work and route planning with confidence. Whether you are completely new to hill walking or brushing up on skills from years ago, the focus stays practical: techniques you can use on your very next adventure.
The morning begins with a short classroom session covering maps, scales, symbols and how to set a compass. Then you head onto Dales paths and open ground to practise orientating the map, taking bearings and following a route through varied terrain.
Throughout the day your instructor demonstrates each technique at a steady pace, giving you supervised time to build confidence. Topics include contour interpretation, pacing and timing, identifying features and choosing a safe line across the landscape. By the end you should feel ready to plan and follow a walk without relying on a phone signal.
The Yorkshire Dales offer ideal variety for navigation practice, from walled lanes and valley paths to open moorland and limestone scenery. Sessions take place across the national park, with the exact meeting point chosen before your course date based on conditions and the best training ground for the group.
We pick venues with good parking, access to varied terrain and shelter options if the weather turns wet. Full directions and a what3words link arrive ahead of your day so you can find the meeting point easily.
No previous navigation experience is required. A reasonable level of fitness for a full day walking on paths and moderate hills is helpful, and you should bring your own compass and suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
If you have walked in the hills before but always followed others, this course gives you the foundations to plan and lead your own routes. Younger walkers are welcome when accompanied by a participating adult who shares responsibility on the hill.
Learning navigation with an experienced Mountain Leader gives you skills that last a lifetime. The teaching style is calm, patient and focused on building real confidence rather than rushing through a checklist.
You will leave with practical knowledge you can apply on your next walk, from reading contours to walking on a bearing across open ground. Many participants join to prepare for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions or simply to feel more independent on the fells.
No previous navigation experience is needed. This course is designed for complete beginners as well as walkers who want to refresh skills they learned years ago. We begin indoors with map symbols, scales, and compass parts before heading onto the hill to practise in a supportive setting.
If you already have some experience, your instructor can tailor practice to fill gaps and build on what you know. The aim is practical confidence you can use on your next walk, taught at a pace that suits the whole group.
A baseplate compass such as a Silva Type 4 is ideal for hill navigation. These have a clear baseplate, adjustable declination, and a long direction-of-travel line that makes taking and walking on bearings straightforward on the ground.
Avoid button compasses, keyring compasses, or phone apps for the practical sessions. If you are unsure what to buy, get in touch through Adventuro Chat and we can recommend a suitable model before your course date.
You will need an OS Explorer map at 1:25,000 scale covering the Yorkshire Dales. The exact sheet number depends on where we meet and will be confirmed before your course so you buy the right coverage.
Paper maps are preferred for learning because you can annotate routes and practise folding and orientating the sheet. A weatherproof map case keeps your map usable in rain and wind on the hill.
Expect a full day on foot with several hours on paths and moderate hills. A steady walking pace with regular breaks is maintained throughout, and there is time to stop, ask questions, and practise techniques without rushing.
If you have concerns about fitness or mobility, mention them when you enquire so we can choose terrain that suits your group. Navigation courses are about learning at a comfortable pace, not completing a set distance.
Courses run in most weather conditions and wet days can be excellent for learning how to keep your map dry and stay oriented in reduced visibility. Your instructor carries spare resources and will adapt the plan to keep the day safe and productive.
In high winds, lightning, or conditions that make the planned hill unsafe, we may adjust the venue or spend more time on classroom skills. You will be contacted before your course date if a significant change is needed.
Yes. Private courses for families, friends, Duke of Edinburgh groups, or walking clubs can be arranged on a date that suits you. Private days allow the pace and content to be tailored entirely around your objectives and experience level.
Contact us through Adventuro Chat with your preferred dates and group size. We will confirm availability and send details of meeting points and kit requirements for your private course.
Many participants join to build navigation skills for DofE expeditions at Bronze, Silver, and Gold level. The course covers map reading, compass bearings, route planning, and pacing techniques that transfer directly to expedition routes.
Let us know your award level when you enquire so tuition can focus on the skills you need most. Your instructor has extensive experience supporting Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and understands what assessors look for.
This is a practical skills day rather than a formal Mountain Training qualification. You will receive coaching, feedback, and plenty of time to practise throughout the day, with guidance on how to keep developing your skills afterwards.
If you are interested in accredited schemes such as the Mountain Training Hill Skills or Mountain Skills courses, ask your instructor about next steps. This day is an excellent foundation before committing to a longer accredited programme.
Younger walkers are welcome when accompanied by a participating adult who also joins the course and shares responsibility for them on the hill. We keep the pace steady and give plenty of time for questions and practice.
For very young family groups, a shorter private navigation taster may suit better. Contact us through Adventuro Chat to discuss the best format for your group.
The meeting point is in the Yorkshire Dales and is confirmed before your course date based on the best training ground and seasonal conditions. We choose venues with good parking, access to varied terrain, and shelter options if the weather turns wet.
You will receive full directions, parking information, and a suggested arrival time before your course date. A what3words link is included so you can find the exact spot easily on the day.
About the centre
Yorkshire Dales
You'll join an experienced Mountain Leader and Duke of Edinburgh assessor with more than thirty years in the British hills. Days are planned around calm, patient guidance, clear safety management, and building confidence on everything from gentle valley routes to demanding mountain days across Yorkshire, the Lake District, Scotland, and the Peak District.
Whether you're booking a guided walk, a navigation course, a walking weekend, or a wild camping journey, your instructor focuses on practical skills, readable map work, and a supportive pace that suits your group. From first steps on the fells to longer multi-day adventures, the aim is safe, enjoyable time outdoors with room to learn and grow.
Operated by Northern Guiding, a partner of adventuro.
