The navigation courses that we run will give you the skills and confidence to get out and explore the dales and hills with friends and family. Jonathan is a fully qualified and experienced instructor and the courses all operate in the wonderful landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.
Location: The courses are run out of Long Preston, a pretty village in the Yorkshire Dales.
The initial part of the course is held inside our village pavilion and then we will head off in to the wonderful limestone landscape of the Dales.
Map & Compass Day (Beginner) £55 per person
A 1 day course for beginners who want to be able to use a map confidently in the countryside and follow paths and other linear features.
Course Dates:
August 10th
September 8th
October 20th
….or contact us directly for a different date if you are a Private Party of 4 or more participants
Course Details:
- Understand how to use map symbols and scales, on a variety of maps.
- Plan a safe, suitable walk
- Orientate the map with and without a compass enabling you to ‘read’ the land around you.
- Choose simple navigation strategies and routes.
- Estimate how long a walk will take using the map.
- What are contours and how steep is the land
- Use relocation techniques using the land around you
- Understand access rights and responsibilities inc the Countryside Code.
Map & Compass Day (Intermediate) £55 per person
The 1 day course is for those wanting to develop their map skills, leave paths and use a compass to navigate confidently on open land.
Course Dates:
July 21st
September 22nd
….or contact us for a different date if you are a Private Party of 3 or more participants
Course Details:
- Plan a more complicated walk or route with estimated timings.
- Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy ‘aiming off’, ‘attack points’, ‘collecting features’.
- Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground.
- Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground.
- Employ relocation strategies when lost on open ground.
- Use a compass to take a bearing both in clear and cloudy conditions (ie: from the land or from a map)
- Follow a bearing accurately on rough/featureless ground.
- Further information on the Countryside Code and use of lands in the Yorkshire Dales
Learn a Skill Weekend Course
Held in the Northern Lakes.
For full details of the course, what’s included and the dates please follow this link.
Further Information
Each 1 day course will have a maximum of 7 and minimum of 3 participants. If it is larger a 2nd instructor will be used
Maps and Compasses are provided
You will need to be equipped with the following: Enough clothes to keep you warm and dry in all weathers (Jeans are not suitable for outdoor activities.); Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers); Walking boots; Lunch and drinks. We may slip a coffee/tea in though when you arrive!
If you would like us to book you in to one of the Long Preston inns or B & Bs just let us know, it is a great place to spend a couple of days.
Do have a read of this blog . Top 10 Tips on Navigation
To book your Navigation Course
Contact us on 07824 304060 or email jonathan@where2walk.co.uk
or return the on line form below
I recently went on the one day intermediate navigation course with Jonathan and really recommend it to anyone who wants to feel more confident out in the countryside or on the hills. He is an excellent teacher, patient and thorough, and, in a small group, was able to give attention to the skills each person needed to improve on themselves. If you are wondering how to pinpoint where you are exactly on a map during a walk, or how to take a compass bearing, or just what you should be considering when planning a day out in the hills or dales, this is the course for you. I would highly recommend Jonathan’s courses.
My wife and I recently did the Intermediate Navigation course in June with Jonathan. We had done the Basic Navigation course in Sep last year.
The Intermediate course was certainly different and taught us new things from the Basic course, which were useful and will be well used in the future.
Jonathan is a very good teacher and only goes as fast as the slowest person so no issues about getting left behind.
I would recommend all beginners do the Basic and then the Intermediate course unless you are confident that you are advanced enough to go straight on to the Intermediate course. If in any doubt about which course then contact Jonathan.
We can’t recommend these courses highly enough. Just give them a try.
A group of friends from Northallerton completed the navigation course last week. The course was run by Jonathan for our private group and he was kind enough to travel across to Sutton Bank to make it easy for us. Although we are all experienced walkers we all learned a lot from an enjoyable day, even down to some simple aspects of map reading that we’d never really thought about. The route planning, pacing and direction-finding aspects were really useful, especially as we’ve all experienced situations of potentially being lost in bad weather. On our first walk since the course – Scafell Pike – we immediately saw the benefits of taking bearings to find the desired way down and pacing to distinguish between different path options. I’d recommend this course as essential for all hill walkers.
A group of us from Northallerton have just completed the one day navigation course as a private group. The course was based at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre and Jonathan was kind enough to travel over to us, which was a great help. Although we are all experienced walkers we all found the course really enjoyable and informative; we all learned things that we wished we had known some years ago, even some basic map features, but the planning, direction-finding and pacing aspects will be really useful, especially as we’ve all at some time had the experience of feeling lost in bad weather. We’ve already been out up Scafell Pike since the course and experienced some points in the walk where taking bearings and pacing could have been very important had the weather been worse. I’d thoroughly recommend this course as a “must” for all hill walkers!
I almost didn’t attend the beginners navigation course, as I was recovering from tonsillitis but it was well worth the effort. Jonathon explained different aspects of map and compass navigation clearly and patiently. The classroom teaching clicked into place, when we went out walking and put different techniques into practice. I’m looking forward to putting my new found knowledge to the test, over the summer months. Happy walking!
Attended beginnings course Sunday 5th May brilliant day we both learnt lots and will put into good practice, There were 7 people on the course which was ideal, so we could all have an input – Jonathan was very patient and explained everything so we could all understand. This course has given us both the confidence to go out and feel reassured that we could use both map and compass correctly. Thank you Jonathan
I attended the Map and Compass course for beginners last weekend. It was a really excellent day, with so much information given in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Jonathan showed great patience and good humour throughout, giving us the skills to navigate safely, and showing us how to use features of the landscape to help navigate.
It has certainly helped in giving me more confidence and to make my walking even more enjoyable.
Many thanks, Jonathan!
I have just completed the beginners course (May 5th.) I have got into walking as a healthy passtime over the past couple of years especially. This year I decided I wanted to learn more about how to navigate better and plan more adventures based on walking and hiking. I researched various courses and companies but I enjoy reading Jonathan’s column in the Telegraph and Argus in Bradford every week and I wanted to go on one of his with Where2Walk. I am very happy with my choice as he strikes the right balance between the educational and learning side of the course with the enjoyment and social aspects. He also is great at bringing a group of people who haven’t met before together. I’m not always fond of group situations but I was very happy and comfortable on my course and we had all made good friends by the end of the day. It was one of the best days I’ve had for a long time 🙂
Having not pulled on walking boots since my teens (I’m 49 now!), my nine year old son and I have recently started and are thoroughly enjoying it. We’ve tackled numerous (circa 10 mile) walks as listed in guidebooks including the Yorkshire three peaks, Malham, Kettlewell, Grassington etc etc but I really wanted to “get off the beaten track”, away from the crowds and try something a little more challenging (which was the general consensus for everyone else on the course). His mum would kill me if we got lost so I thought it prudent to learn basic map reading, navigation and compass skills. We both thoroughly enjoyed Jonathan’s course and I am fairly confident that I can now avoid calling mountain rescue (and a divorce). I learnt so much in such a short time. I had no idea that a map contained so much information and how to put the information to good use. Jonathan is extremely patient and his village presents a beautiful, unspoilt backdrop. I would highly recommend to walkers of all abilities. Nick
I recently went on the Intermediate course and both thoroughly enjoyed it and found it really useful. I’ve yomped up and down the fells in the Lake District for over 20 years with a map (though I learned some new things about maps during the day too), but have never learned compass skills. After a day with Jonathan I’m now comfortable with compass navigation which I hope to find useful when next a path disappears under a heap of snow! As others have commented, Jonathan is friendly, knowledeable and patient, and strikes just the right balance between learning and enjoying the day itself. I’d highly recommend to anyone thinking about booking.
I completed both the beginner and intermediate map and compass course during March and April. It was really helpful to complete them within a short space of time as the intermediate course helped me to review what I had learned the previous week and then build upon that. I have used a map to plan and complete walks for some time but having some expert tuition really helped me to understand how to get the best out of planning and walking and to feel more adventurous. Together with my new ability to use a compass brings a level of confidence about going off the main routes and still staying safe. Both courses were a good mix of classroom learning and then practical application during a walk in the amazing countryside behind Long Preston. Johnathan is a very relaxed and patient teacher who creates a great learning environment; I never felt rushed to ‘get things right first time’ and appreciated his checking that I was actually using newfound skills properly. It was a ‘good fun’ way to spend a couple of days and comes highly recommended.
Had a really interesting and fun day on the Intermediate course. Jonathan was very friendly and patient and a great teacher. I began the day not having a clue how to use a compass and came home over to moon to now fully understand it. I’m just annoyed that I didn’t book on the course sooner. Well worth the money! I also have Jonathan’s “Dales 30” book, so armed with that and my new compass skills, I should be set up for my walks for a while! Thanks Jonathan!
We have been recommending the beginners map reading course to all our friends after a pleasurable day realising how little we knew about map reading despite being regular walkers. Jonathan is a very good teacher and made a chilly day in the Dales both instructive and fun. We have been practising since and what we learnt has transformed how we understand a map.
Myself and a friend attended the beginners course in March and had a very enjoyable day. The course itself was excellent and Jonathan has a great teaching method by using a mixture of sharing his knowledge then letting you try for yourself. He also has endless amounts of patience and nothing was too much trouble. I would highly recommend his courses to anyone wanting to learn not just navigation but everything else about enjoying walking in the countryside.
I’d almost given up on being able to read anything but a road map, and certainly never thought I’d manage to make sense of a compass. After 3 hours of theory on the theory of OS maps and how to use a compass, Jonathan launched us onto the landscape; armed with a map, a compass, and his gentle determination that we would all manage to navigate a route around Long Preston. I live in the area, but have never really explored it in the way we did on our course, I would normally stick to the well worn paths of the dog walkers of the area, worried about getting lost if I strayed.
During our 4 hours of walking and navigating, the landscape was becoming easier to “read” and relate to the two dimensional markings on the map. Jonathan was patient and encouraging; ensuring each of us in the group was understanding the tasks and making the most of the day.
I now feel able to try a walk with a compass and map, planning it in advance, and having the confidence to follow my bearings. I just need to get out there and get practicing!
I said I’d be back [after the basics course] so there I was a few months later on a cooler, more cloudy, and more breezy day, for the second installment 🙂
As before, we did some ‘classroom’ learning and then went out walking. Even though we started from the same place as for the basic course, the paths we went on this time led to much more open landscape on which to practice both the basic skills and now the additional skills as well, with a lot of good tips thrown in for good measure. Not that I plan to go hiking in white-out blizzard conditions, but you never know…..
As before, Jonathan was a calm, clear, and very patient teacher, and despite the few short showers toward the end of the day, time seemed to pass quickly and before we knew it, we’d all had turns at leading our small group along paths and across countryside with precision (well, mostly, anyway) and descended from the moorland back into Long Preston.
Now I have to find time to go practice.
Thanks again, Jonathan – hope to see you again soon.
My wife and I both went on the 1 day Beginners Navigation course at Long Preston. Jonathan’s method of teaching is very good and allows everyone to understand each point before moving on. He is very patient with everyone. Both my wife and I learnt a great deal which has allowed us to tackle walks with navigation already that we wouldn’t have done previously.
He has extensive knowledge and is very willing to answer all random questions although not related to the course!
He even timed the weather so we were inside for the rain and outside for the blue skies and sun!
Highly recommended to help build up confidence.
We will be doing the intermediate course in the future.
Attended the Map & Compass course on Sunday June 24th. Couldn’t have asked for a better day – sunny and hot (but not too hot!). Even though I’ve been walking all my adult life and even before, and using OS maps most of that time, I attended because I wanted to learn more about reading and better understanding the maps, using a compass properly (which I’d never fully grasped), and to generally learn skills around navigation.
Jonathan is very knowledgable and an excellent communicator and teacher, and having a small class size allowed him to give each of us personal attention without holding anybody back. I learned multiple new and truly useful things in just the first 5 minutes of the course, and it just got better from there. After the classroom part, we headed off and navigated our way around a circular route practicing the skills as we went, each of us taking turns to lead. Jonathan coached us all as we went along to make sure the lessons stuck 🙂
Anyway, it was a great day and I’ll definitely be going back for more advanced tuition!
Anyone wanting to appreciate just how much information is embedded in an OS map and to apply this knowledge to navigate with confidence really should attend Jonanthan’s courses. The Beginner and Intermediate Map & Compass days work in perfect harmony. Jonathan’s relaxed and convivial manner combined with lots of practical application make the courses suitable for novice and experienced walkers alike.
Attended the Navigation Course set by Jonathan at Where2Walk on Sunday 29 April. We attended the beginners course. Both my partner and I found this course to be invaluable. It has given us a lot more confidence to head out without the guide books which we so heavily relied on in the past and to start planning our own routes. We will be back to attend the intermediate navigation course, once we have built on our skills from the beginners course.
Jonathan’s teaching style was brilliant, from the ice breaker in the beginning, to having us lead different sections of the walk later in the afternoon. Jonathan discusses the map with clarity and ensures that there is no confusion over any of the points. Questions are answered promptly and with good knowledge, you can be sure that you will be in good hands if you book on to one of these courses.
My 12 year old daughter and myself attended Jonathan’s one day beginners’ navigation course on October 22nd 2017. We didn’t really have any prior experience so we learned a lot in a very relaxed, informal setting. We felt very at ease. We all got on and had a lovely walk round Long Preston to put the theory into practice. We had such a great time and were so engrossed that the time just flew by. I feel inspired to buy a compass and map and get out and practise what we’ve learned. Jonathan was very patient with us all I would like to thank Jonathan for a very enjoyable and informative day. My daughter Joanna and I would definitely recommend this course. Thank you!
I have recently attended one of Jonathan’s beginner courses. I found the course perfect for learning the basics of map/compass work. I would highly recommend Jonathan and his coaching methods!
Chris Turner
Finally put what we had learned from the beginners course last year into practice. Very humbling to be miles from civilisation, without seeing a soul for hours, yet to be able to pinpoint exactly where you are in the world. I loved that and was very chuffed to plan and navigate a 30 mile route, without it ending in divorce!
Thanks to Jonathans teaching style, everything sunk in and stuck, invaluable skills to have.
Two of us attended the intermediate course in September, which was excellent. There was a very engaging introductory desk session, getting us comfortable with maps and learning how to read and interpret them to see what lies behind them. That got us into the way of thinking about maps, and becoming more confident in our interpretations and judgement. That greater confidence was in many ways the best outcome of the whole day. The bulk of the day was then taken up with navigating around the Long Preston area, linking the map to what we saw and where we walked, and building confidence in taking bearings, and using them.
Jonathan has a really good style, very inclusive, drawing you into his knowledge in a low key way that makes you learn, and want to learn more yourself.
In short, a really interesting, positive and different way to spend a Sunday; very enjoyable and very good value.
I went on the beginner’s course along with my Wife and met another two people on the course so had a nice sized group of the four of us.
The classroom based element of the course was enjoyable and I gained lots of useful information before our afternoon walk.
Utilising what we did in the morning session we had an enjoyable walk in the afternoon around Long Preston applying our new found skills.
Jonathan’s teaching style was informative, without been too intense which seemed to suit the group well.
We left after an enjoyable day with a far better understanding of the basics of using the map and compass. Thanks Jonathan.
Attended the beginners one day course 3rd July, with Jonathan who had his work cut out with me! Going on my own felt a bit nerve wracking, but Jonathan was so approachable and friendly that it was a really enjoyable day. It was a lovely group of women and we had a really fun day learning the theory and then putting it into practice. Jonathan was very patient and happy to go over things several times. I just could not get into my head getting the bearings from a map but was never made to feel daft about this. Just patiently went over it again with me until I understood it. I came away having had a thoroughly enjoyable day wandering around some stunning countryside and much more confident about putting my newly acquired map reading knowledge to the test. All in all, fantastic value for money and could not recommend Jonathan enough for anyone who wants to learn these skills.
The intermediate course was a fantastic learning experience, giving a full insight into the
importance of what the map shows as a primary feature and then moving onto all the
compass practices that would make for a confident and safe day out on the hill.
Superb value for money!
My friend and myself had a beginners navigation course at Easter 2016. We were greeted by Jonathan who was friendly and welcoming though we arrived late.
The navigation course was really helpful, done in a small group, with patience and clear explanations, which supported us all in managing to follow a map and take readings from a compass.
The following day we met up with Jonathan again and the three of us ventured further afield into the Yorkshire Dales where we took compass readings, followed the map, took compass bearings and counted out or steps. It was a lovely and enjoyable day with Jonathan who is easy to be with, knowledgeable and interesting.
Thank you, Jonathan.
We are doing a walk in the Lake District this summer due to your excellent teaching and support.
Miriam and Lene
I did the intermediate one day navigation course. I can say that in one day, Jonathan has taught me more about map-reading than what I can self-teach in a few months! He explains well and is patient; I and the other student felt like we could ask anything. Beyond the technical skills, his passion for the hills really shone through, which made it feel like I was just having fun in the outdoors with new friends. I would recommend his courses in a heartbeat!
Enjoyed the one day map reading and compass course in along Preston. Jonathan was knowledgable and enthusiastic and made the day a great experience. Felt like we picked up lots of tips. Even the Great British weather couldn’t dampen our spirits! A great day – thank you.
I together with my friend have just attended the map and compass course on 7th June.
Jonathan tailored the course excellently for our standard and I thought the practical side on the 3 hour walk navigating the route and the compass bearings including the pacing was great.
Jonathan was very patient and understanding of our memory lapses being OAPs!
A great day out would recommend anyone who wants to learn about maps and compass.
My friend and I went on this navigation course and wondered if anyone could hammer home to us the art of compass reading (both of us are pensioners). Due to Jonathan’s patience and excellent teaching skills, we came away from a really enjoyable day with that knowledge and great confidence.
Clear, informative, and well-delivered. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to develop their confidence walking in the hills.
My boyfriend and I attended the beginners map reading course last month and both thoroughly enjoyed it. Learnt loads and are now able to make up our own walks instead of having to follow a guide book.
We would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their kowledge of map reading/basic compass work.
Thanks Jonathan for a great day.
This was the first time me and my wife have been on a map reading coures. I do a lot of mountain biking using maps but I learned so much on the day that I didn’t know about. My wife has never used a map and can now take coordinates and know how long our walk will take. I would recommend this coures to any one who does out door walking or cycling.
despite the bad wheather we all had a great day out and Jonathan spent time with us all and explained his self really well. Thanks for a great day out
Thanks for a great day Jonathan. Booked on the course as part of preparation to walk Hadrian’s Wall later in the year. Learnt an enormous amount and by the end of it, despite having no idea how to use a compass at the start of the day, I have been given the confidence I needed to navigate my way across the country (even in bad weather!). As indicated in other comments, Jonathan’s teaching style is clear and patient and the pace of the day was just right. The Dales played their part too – sparkling in glorious spring sunshine.
The intermediate day was a useful course on using a compass and I also learnt a bit more about detailed OS map use. I now have more awareness of route mapping and knowledge about how to get out of a dodgy situation when caught in bad weather in featureless territory. A well-structured day and enjoyable, as well as challenging.
I attended the intermediate course run by Jonathon in October this year (2014) if you want to brush up on your map and compass skills and gain confidence in the use of both then this is the course for you. The course was run in a friendly relaxed manner and Jonathon explained all aspects in a clear and understandable way. 10/10.
We are not new to walking having done many Lake district peaks, but we are not very good with map and compass therefore we either stick to the main route or end up scrambling down a hill side.
We decided it was time to gain some knowledge and attended one of Jonathan’s one day courses, we found the day very helpful and really enjoyable. Two hours informal classroom work followed by the afternoon on the hills was just right and has given us the confidence to now plan our own routes.
Many thanks Jonathan
My friend and I decided it was time to be able to take walking on a weekend to the next level. We wanted to plan a walk rather than print one.
We checked out courses on the web and came up with Jonathan at where2walk and I’m so glad we did. He was excellent at explaining things and very patient too.
It was a very relaxed atmosphere on a red hot day. I would be very confident of planning a route myself , which was the aim. I can now take a compass bearing and it’s all down to Jonathan.
I hope to go on a more advanced course after some practice.
I would without doubt recommend this informative , fun , relaxed course to any one.
The course was fantastic. A great refresher of things I’d learnt a long time ago and lots of new information too. Jonathan tailored the course to us – based on our knowledge and what we wanted to get out of it. He’s very patient and very knowledgeable and it was a lovely day out in a beautiful part of the Dales. I now feel much more confident venturing off on my own and navigating around. I’d highly recommend the courses for anyone going out walking. Many thanks Jonathan
I attended the Intermediate navigation course run by Jonathan at the end of March and found it to be informative, enjoyable and great value for money. As someone who already understood the basics I wanted to gain confidence to be able to navigate in the hills when weather conditions/visibilty are poor and the course definately provided the further knowledge and skills that I was looking for.
I can highly recommend this Intermediate navigation course. Lots of fun, wonderful scenery and very pleasant company. Jonathan gave me the confidence to have a look at my OS map find my grid lines and match everything up so I could definitely find my way home, plus enjoying the beautiful Dales countryside.
Brilliant
Attended the one day intermediate course last week ran by Jonathan and found it very informative and enjoyable. There were three of us of similar abilities on the course and I definitely came away with more knowledge and confidence on how to use both a map and compass out on the hills. Looking forward to practising the skills learnt. Thank you for a great day.
My friend and I completed the one day navigation course last week run by Jonathan. We had some prior knowledge of navigation but a lot to learn. Aswell as being a very enjoyable, and relaxed day, I do feel I have learned something. Jonathan not only knows his stuff but knows how to share his knowledge in a non-elitist friendly manner and with humour when appropriate. He was also very patient when we took hours to work out our compass bearings! I would certainly recommend his courses and guiding services.