See our navigation skills courses below, and let us know how many of you there are, and when you would like to join us, and we’ll set up a course for you.
Our hill skills and navigation courses are graded to suit all comers from the complete novice to those looking to explore the upland hills and mountains of the UK with increased skill and confidence. Our Peak District navigation courses can teach you all aspects of map reading and how to use a map with a compass and a variety of navigation strategies.
As well as the Peak District we can offer navigation skills courses in Snowdonia and the Lake District.
Map & Compass Skills Private Booking 1:1 (Peak District)
Want an instructor all to yourself? These are our tailor made days suited available for all levels looking for an individualised course.
From £180 per day for up to 2 people
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses (Bronze)
A solid foundation to learning how to read a map introducing you to the fundamentals of map reading, and getting you good at the basic skills.
From £170 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £180 1:1 (for 1 day only, plus £20per extra person, max 4)
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses (Silver)
Two day map & compass navigation skills courses teaching essential navigational strategies to allow the walker to explore ground away from footpaths and tracks.
From £170 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £180 1:1 (for 1 day only, plus £20per extra person, max 4)
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses (Gold)
Two day Lake District or Snowdonia-based map reading & navigation skills courses teaching essential navigational strategies suitable for all journeys in mountainous areas.
From £190 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £200 1:1 (for 1 day only, plus £20per extra person, max 4)
Low Vis & Night Navigation Courses
The ultimate challenge of navigation is micro-navigation in the dark! These excellent evening sessions will put your skills to the test!
From £85 pp
Mountain Leader Navigation Refresher Day
For any navigators facing assessment (mountain leader trainees, HF and Ramblers’ Holidays etc) or for anyone that feels a good day of CPD is in order, these courses are perfect for you.
From £200 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £220 1:1 (for 1 day only, plus £20per extra person, max 4)
Map & Compass Skills Private Booking 1:1 (Peak District)
Introductory Map Reading Courses – finding your way in the outdoors!
Many people come to us from different places on their map-reading journey – from complete novice to aspirant mountain-leaders. Where ever you’re at, a day out with us 1:1 will probably work just a treat for you.
Will4Adventure has been teaching navigation courses in the Peak District and further afield for more than twenty years now. In addition to the standard Peak District navigation courses here we offer bespoke navigation/map reading courses around the UK covering specialist navigational subjects which can include, days out for complete beginners, intermediate courses or navigation for fell running.
Our Peak District navigation courses are run in a friendly, supportive and relaxed manner so you don’t need to worry about your speed of learning or prior knowledge.
In addition to being stunningly beautiful, the Peak District is brilliant for learning navigation. The mix of gentle valleys and woodland, coupled with featureless moorland plateaus is the perfect training ground for anyone.
We can offer any of the courses below as a private course.
Location: Peak District National Park (Snowdonia and the Lake District available on request too)
Price: From £180 1:1 (for 1 day only)
Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Before joining us for this map reading course, check out the free resources to practice with here.
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses 1 – Bronze
Introductory Map Reading Courses – finding your way in the outdoors!
Course Aim :
This 12 hour / 2 day map reading course aims to equip the novice with the navigation and hill skills to safely navigate paths and tracks on UK hills in summer conditions. On this Peak District navigation course you can start your journey to master the art of navigation. This course is for those of you looking at getting started in the outdoors, or those just wanting to start again from a clean slate. We will look into all of the basics of map reading including some basic uses of the compass. A great introduction to the navigation skills you need to get out and about.
Course content and assessment will include :
- Equipment for the outdoors
- Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
- Take a 6 figure grid reference for any given position and also locate such a reference on the map.
- Orientate the map with and without a compass.
- Use the orientated map to identify land features and indicate direction of travel.
- Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.
- Use linear features (e.g. paths and tracks) as handrails in simple navigation exercises.
- Estimate distance on both map and ground.
- Using a basic understanding of contours, match major landforms like hills and valleys to their map representation.
- Plan a safe, suitable walk.
- Relocate using simple techniques on paths and other handrails.
- Understand access rights and responsibilities.
- Demonstrate an awareness of local and national access issues and access legislation.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Countryside Code, and of procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.
Location: Peak District National Park
OS Maps: 1:50 000 Landranger Series Sheet 110, 1:25 000 Dark Peak Area OL 1 (we can provide these)
Meeting point: Hathersage, Derbyshire
Price: From £170 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £180 1:1 (for 1 day only)
Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Before joining us for this map reading course, check out the free resources to practice with here.
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses 2 – Silver
Map and Compass – Into the wilderness!
Course Aim :
Confident with the basics of map reading these 2 day map and compass navigation skills courses takes the student further: teaching essential compass work to allow the walker to explore ground away from footpaths and tracks. On completion of this course participants should be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside that venture beyond paths and tracks.
Course content and assessment will include :
- Consolidation of Bronze objectives.
- Breaking navigational stages into ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ navigation using clear features en route.
- Navigational strategies: aiming off, attack points, collecting features.
- Understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
- Judging distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
- The planning of a safe walk or route involving walking on a bearing.
- Employ simple relocation strategies when lost.
- Use of a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear features on both map and ground.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in demanding countryside and/or extreme weather condition. Knowledge of basic first aid is also expected.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of the Countryside Code and current access legislation as for the Bronze level together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing ‘man with nature’
Location: Peak District National Park
OS Maps: 1:50 000 Landranger Series Sheet 110, 1:25 000 Dark Peak Area OL 1 (we can provide these)
Meeting point: Hathersage, Derbyshire
Price: From £170 pp (min 2 people for 2 days) or £180 1:1 (for 1 day only)
Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Before joining us for this map reading course, check out the free resources to practice with here.
Hill Skills & Navigation Courses 3 – Gold Training
The master-class!
Course Aim :
This advanced navigation course aims to give you the hill and mountain skills to get off the beaten track in all of the UK’s mountain, hill and moorland areas. Day 1 of these courses incorporates a night navigation phase focusing on micro-navigation strategies in zero or reduced visibility. This course is for those that wish to advance themselves that bit beyond hill walking and more into the realms of mountaineering below the snow line. Also this course is perfect for those looking for a navigation refresher for their Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader assessment.
Course content will include :
- Consolidation of Bronze and Silver skills.
- Close use of contours, to identify landforms (e.g. hilltops, valleys, spurs, re-entrants and knolls) and utilise them as the prime method of navigation.
- Use of ridges and valleys as reliable handrails and the size and relationship of contour features, (e.g. a series of knolls) and use them for micro navigation to specific locations.
- Use of distance judgement, compass skills and continuous contact (by frequent checking) in complicated areas.
- Planning a safe walk or route in open country in line with set criteria of duration, difficulty and objectives.
- Demonstration of the special physical and navigation demands posed by hill and moorland terrain, poor weather conditions, daylight hours and the effects of fatigue and discomfort on decision making and execution of a selected route. This includes awareness of the effects of heat and cold.
Location: Peak District National Park, Lake District and Snowdonia
Price per person: £155
Note: Good hill fitness is required in order to walk with a full pack for two days.
Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Night Navigation Masterclass
Course Aim :
Night navigation courses are ideal for aspirant mountain leaders prior to assessment, or for anybody that wants to have the confidence to extend their days out on the hill in all seasons. These evening sessions focus closely on micro-navigation strategies, compass work, pacing and timing. This course is for those that wish to advance themselves that bit beyond hill walking and more into the realms of mountaineering below the snow line.
Course content will include :
- Breaking navigational stages into ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ navigation using clear features en-route.
- Navigational strategies: aiming off, attack points, collecting features.
- Use of distance judgement, compass skills and continuous contact (by frequent checking) in complicated areas.
- Demonstration of the special physical and navigation demands posed by hill and moorland terrain, poor weather conditions, daylight hours and the effects of fatigue and discomfort on decision making and execution of a selected route. This includes awareness of the effects of heat and cold.
Location: Peak District National Park
Price per person: £85
Contact us with your preferred date(s) that suit you and the numbers and we’ll get back to you asap with all the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good do I need to be?
You can start at the Bronze Level with no experience. Our Hills Skills 1 Bronze course covers the fundamentals of any map reading courses and is an excellent place for anyone to start.
Can I start at the Silver or Gold level?
We would probably ask you about your previous experience and abilities to determine whether such a course would be appropriate for you, but yes this is possible.
If I sign up for the Gold course, can I borrow a tent from you?
Yes – we have mountain tents for this purpose – for your use free of charge.
Further reading
Ten ways to be better at map reading
Map and Compass beats a GPS Device Every Time. Here’s Why
Free training resources for navigation practice
Open Orienteering Courses available for children
Free tips and advice from Ordnance Survey
BMC Hill Skills: Map basics
The National Navigation Award Scheme provides a progression of learning through a network of qualified and enthusiastic course providers. National Navigation Award assessment gives recognition to personal performance in navigation skills and provides tangible evidence in the form of badges and certificates.