Navigation & Hill Skills Course

Are you interested in learning how to use a map and compass or brushing up your map reading skills? Want to go independent hill walking? These courses will enable you to learn the necessary skills to navigate safely, enjoy a day and/or obtain a recognised certificate (a Bronze or Silver award) from the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS).

Despite GPS technology, which we’ll discuss and demonstrate, traditional map and compass skills remain an integral part of safe hill walking. These two and three-day practical courses will guide you through all the essential map and compass competencies you require to navigate your walking safely and confidently. Our new Advanced Hill Skills course will enable you to take on fresh challenges in the hills. 

Navigation Course – Bronze Award (Grade 4)

Operates on: 21 July 2021 & 06 November 2021

This course is aimed at beginners, or those wishing to improve their rusty skills and covers all the NNAS Bronze syllabus and overlaps with some aspects of the Silver syllabus. At the end of the course you’ll have the opportunity to be assessed and to receive the NNAS Bronze award or just to take the experience gained to help you in your own forays into the hills. This course combines setting the map, identifying features, interpreting contours, taking and following a compass bearing, estimating distance travelled, identifying a practical route, understanding map scales, distances, symbols and grid references. We’ll introduce you to the most important navigation skills such as: setting the map, identifying features, interpreting contours, taking and following a compass bearing, estimating distance travelled, identifying a practical route, understanding maps scales, distances, symbols and grid references. Why not follow your bronze course up with our Advanced Hill Skills course, perfect for gaining further experience and safety on your walks.

Navigation Course – Silver Award (Grade 6)

Operates on: 09 November 2021

The silver NNAS award builds upon skills acquired at Bronze level. You will, amongst other things, learn how to navigate to features some distance from paths and tracks, use a compass to a high level of accuracy, obtain a greater understanding of contour lines, judge distances and plan a safe walk. We recommend that you have the Bronze award before being assessed for the Silver award.