Navigation Courses & Experiences

Learn to navigate with Large Outdoors!

Learning to use a map and compass to plot routes and find your way effectively is an important skill for walkers, and lots of fun to learn with the right teaching approach. Join our expert instructors and a friendly group of fellow route-plotters for an informative, educational, and most importantly fun one-day experience or weekend of navigation.

See below for our Navigation Experiences, in wonderful locations such as the North York Moors National Park.

We run Navigation Courses - with accommodation included - at two levels: Independent Hillwalker, for total beginners, and Independent Mountain Walker, for those looking to enhance their existing skills. You’ll head out into the countryside each day, improving your confidence as you apply what you’ve learned in the field. Over a series of exercises, you’ll build a great navigation skillset and be well-prepared to start plotting and following routes through and over different kinds of terrain.

Independent Hillwalker

This is our weekend course for navigation beginners. You’ll learn how to relate the map to the real world, plan and follow routes, understand scale and compass use, and relocate if you get lost. You’ll leave the course with an improved feeling of confidence when navigating in the countryside and hill terrain.

Independent Mountain Walker

This is our course for advanced-level/improvers. It’s a great option for those with existing map-reading experience, or who’ve previously joined us for an Independent Hillwalker course. You will cover fine-detailed navigation, techniques for adverse weather conditions, more accurate contour interpretation, and find your bearings across ‘featureless’ terrain.