Head to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for an empowering day of learning and fun on our 1-day Beginners Map Reading course – good navigation skills are your passport to freedom on the hills.

Our most popular course – 1,754 people so far!

Our 1-day Map Reading courses are enjoyable, informative and fun. Learning is informal, relaxed and supportive, with plenty of practical experience out in the Yorkshire Dales countryside with a small group of like-minded people. This 1-day course will introduce you to the key skills needed to plan and follow your own walks in the countryside using paths, tracks and Rights of Way.

Our Map Reading course is suitable for everyone from beginners to more experienced countryside walkers who want to fill knowledge gaps.

Our 1-day Map Reading course covers all of the key topics to get you on the right path to enjoy the countryside, from weather forecasts and essential kit to understanding maps, using a compass, navigation strategies and relocation techniques.

We cover around 6 miles over the day, following paths across farmland, valleys, riversides, woodland, hills and moorland in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

DO YOU WANT TO..?

• Learn new outdoor skills
• Be more confident outdoors
• Learn to read a map and use a compass
• Move from passively following a phone app to actively navigating
• Know how GPS / mapping apps back up your map & compass
• Increase your enjoyment of the countryside
• Plan your own walks and not rely on others
• Stay safe on the hills
• Explore more and visit new areas
• Leave feeling inspired and ready to do more!

COURSE CONTENT

• Route planning, weather forecasts & essential kit (including safety).
• Sound decision making and human factors.
• Understanding maps – scales, symbols, Grid References and the three different norths.
• Orientate your map using landscape features and a compass needle.
• Use your orientated map to confirm your direction of travel.
• Navigation strategies using linear, spot and area features.
• Relate obvious and prominent landforms to contours on the map.
• Measure distance on the map and apply practically on the ground using visual, timing or pacing.
• Recognise a navigation error quickly and relocate.
• Use of GPS/phone apps as a back up to navigation skills.
• Legalities – access legislation, personal responsibilities and the Countryside Code.

The topics we focus on will be determined by weather & ground conditions, group needs, terrain and landscapes, so we may not cover all aspects of this course content in equal detail.

Learning outcome: plan and follow your own walks in the countryside using paths, tracks and Rights of Way. 

CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

Aysgarth Falls, Wensleydale
Buckden, Wharfedale
Clapham, Three Peaks
Grassington, Wharfedale
Hawes, Wensleydale
Kettlewell, Wharfedale
Malham, Malhamdale
Reeth, Swaledale
Stainforth, Ribblesdale

OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

Pre-course: Unlimited access to our online video tutorials. Watching these videos before the course will allow us more practical time outdoors, and allow you more time to absorb concepts and skills.

• Weather Forecasts & Conditions
• Route Planning (maps & digital)
• Essential Kit & Looking after Yourself
• Understanding OS Maps & Symbols
• Practical Map Reading (filmed at Grassington, Yorkshire Dales)
• Navigation Strategies

9:30am: Meet at a village car park in the Yorkshire Dales (with facilities)

9:30am – 4:30pm: Full day’s map, compass and navigation training in the Yorkshire Dales with Mark Reid. The walk will usually cover around 6 miles over the day, with plenty of rest stops and time to practice skills and ask questions.

4:30pm – 5pm: De-brief back at the village

All timings are approximate

TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative day yesterday. I learnt so much! Went for an 8 mile walk from Malham Tarn today and practised everything you taught us yesterday. Husband most impressed when I was able to identify which of two paths to take using my compass!!” S. Yule

“A fabulous day out in the Dales; learning, sharing and laughing. I’d recommend the course to anyone who enjoys walking in the countryside: no matter what your existing skill level, you can learn something new.” B. Crookes