NNAS Gold Navigation Course in Dartmoor

Push your navigation ability to an advanced level on this two-day NNAS Gold course in Dartmoor. The training focuses on complex route planning, precise contour interpretation, and independent navigation across open and varied terrain. By the end, you’ll be able to make confident decisions in challenging countryside conditions.

🎯 Key Details

• Duration: 2 days
• Age: 14+
• Location: Dartmoor
• Experience: Silver-level or equivalent navigation experience recommended

🧭 Key Skills

• Advanced contour interpretation and attack points
• Independent route planning across open terrain
• Navigating on complex bearings over long distances
• Using collecting features and relocation techniques
• Timing, pacing, and estimating distance accurately

🌄 What to Expect

Day one begins by consolidating your Silver-level skills before progressing to more advanced navigation challenges. You will practise precise bearings, attack points, and route planning in open moorland, learning to anticipate potential obstacles and make informed route decisions.

On day two, the course emphasises independent navigation. Exercises involve planning and completing longer legs, tackling less obvious terrain, and practising relocation strategies if you stray off course. These challenges develop both technical skill and decision-making confidence.

Each day ends with a review of progress, feedback from instructors, and discussion of strategies for independent navigation. By course completion, you will have the confidence and skill to plan and navigate challenging countryside routes independently.

📍 Location

Dartmoor’s landscape provides ideal conditions for Gold-level training. Open moorland, rolling hills, tors, and valleys create realistic and varied navigation challenges. Participants can practise reading subtle contour changes, selecting attack points, and navigating over longer distances in conditions that simulate real walking scenarios.

The terrain offers both open stretches and complex areas where navigation decisions must be precise. Changes in weather or visibility can be used to practise advanced relocation techniques, route planning, and problem-solving. Every section of Dartmoor chosen for the course is designed to challenge and enhance your independent navigation ability while remaining safe and structured.

🧰 Prerequisites

Completion of Silver-level training or equivalent experience is expected to fully benefit from Gold-level navigation exercises. Comfort walking on uneven terrain for extended periods is necessary.

Participants should bring appropriate footwear, layered and waterproof clothing, food, drinks, and a small rucksack. Maps and compasses are supplied for all exercises, with guidance on equipment for future independent walking.

🏁 Why Choose Us

Instructors have extensive experience with advanced navigation training and guide you through complex skills in a clear, structured way. Personalised feedback ensures that you develop confidence, accuracy, and independent decision-making in challenging terrain.

The Dartmoor environment allows carefully staged challenges that simulate real-world navigation problems. By integrating complex terrain, open-ground navigation, and independent route planning, participants leave the course equipped to navigate confidently and safely in demanding countryside conditions.

For more information contact us before making your booking