Heading into the hills after dark offers a completely new challenge for those familiar with daytime navigation. This focused evening session is designed to build confidence and precision in low-visibility conditions, helping participants apply their map and compass skills when natural light is limited. It’s a great way to expand your abilities while experiencing the quiet, atmospheric side of the outdoors.
As daylight fades, the course begins with a quick recap of essential navigation methods before heading into the forest to put them into practice. Participants learn how to orientate maps under torchlight, take accurate bearings, and move between features using both compass and contour interpretation. The session focuses on building awareness of surroundings through subtle visual cues, sound, and texture.
Navigating in low light requires careful attention and calm decision-making. You’ll learn how to trust your tools, understand how light conditions affect map reading, and recognise common night navigation errors. The experience not only develops technical skills but also builds confidence in staying safe and composed during evening or early-morning adventures.
Hamsterley Forest provides a varied training environment that’s perfect for developing navigation confidence after dark. The mixture of sheltered woodland and nearby open moorland creates realistic scenarios for practising bearings, pacing, and navigation between subtle features. Its remote setting also offers some of the darkest skies in England, allowing for a true night navigation experience.
Sessions often make use of the quieter forest paths and open sections that allow clear reference points. As participants gain confidence, the route may include short off-path sections where terrain recognition and compass use are tested in more challenging surroundings.
You should already be comfortable with basic navigation, including orientating a map and taking simple compass bearings. The session builds on those abilities by adding the extra challenge of limited visibility. If you’ve completed an introductory navigation course or have equivalent experience, you’ll be well prepared to take part.
Outdoor clothing suited for cold evening conditions is essential, along with a head torch and spare batteries. Waterproofs, gloves, and warm layers will ensure you remain comfortable throughout. The session involves steady walking, with some uneven ground underfoot, so suitable footwear is recommended.
Led by Fran, an experienced outdoor coach and fell runner, the centre offers a supportive and engaging learning environment. Fran’s calm, encouraging style helps participants feel confident experimenting with new skills, even in the dark. Her experience across a wide range of terrain and weather conditions ensures every session is safe, well-organised, and tailored to the group’s pace.
The centre’s approach focuses on practical, hands-on learning rather than theory alone. By keeping group sizes small, everyone receives personal guidance and constructive feedback. Whether you want to prepare for an evening mountain challenge or simply enjoy extending your outdoor skills, the centre provides expert tuition and an enjoyable, confidence-building experience.
About the centre
Bedburn, Hamsterley
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
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