Woman in pink shirt holding a map with a compass, overlooking mountainous landscape.
Person holding a map and compass over a hilly landscape
Two hikers with backpacks looking at a map in a grassy hilly landscape.
Two hikers with backpacks and walking sticks reading maps on a grassy mountain slope with a scenic view of distant peaks under a blue sky.
Person wearing a purple backpack and red shirt, standing on a grassy hill, holding a map, overlooking a mountainous landscape with clear skies.
Two people wearing backpacks, consulting maps on a hiking trail in a rocky, mountainous landscape.
Three women hiking on a trail near a small waterfall in a misty, brown hillside landscape.

Learn Navigation for Walkers: Lake District Map Skills Course

Build your walking confidence with our residential Lake District navigation course – a two-night experience based at the Blencathra Centre, learning essential map reading and route planning skills in a supportive and sociable group, guided by an expert.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 Nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 8 (but up to 24 sharing the accommodation)
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

What to expect from this Lake District Navigation Course

  • A two-night residential course based at the Blencathra Centre, with meals and accommodation included.

  • Two full days of practical navigation training led by an experienced guide in nearby fells.

  • Sociable and supportive atmosphere with a small group and relaxed evenings back at the centre.

  • Aimed at beginners or those looking to refresh skills and build confidence with map and compass.

For those seeking a more Advanced Mountain Navigation Course please visit our navigation courses page for further details of alternative courses.

 

Book Today…

Boost your walking confidence with our navigation course…

Looking to build confidence with map and compass? This residential course is the ideal way to learn essential skills while enjoying a supportive, sociable break in the Lake District.

Over two full days of training, you’ll explore the fells around Blencathra while learning how to read a map, plan routes, and understand your surroundings. The course is led by an expert guide and designed to be friendly, approachable, and practical – no pressure, no tests, just hands-on learning.

We’ll be based at the Blencathra Centre, a fantastic location for exploring the northern Lake District without needing to drive during the course. Accommodation is in shared rooms, all meals are included, and the focus is on learning navigation while enjoying a relaxed and sociable weekend away.

You’ll also receive a Cicerone Navigation Guide Book to use throughout the course and keep afterwards.

What We Cover:

  • Introduction to map and compass (equipment provided)

  • Reading the landscape and identifying features

  • Following a route with confidence

  • Understanding access and rights of way

  • Planning a walk in the hills

  • Using navigation to improve route choices and decision making

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • You’re welcome to arrive at the Blencathra Centre from 17:00. Nestled below the slopes of Blencathra itself, this is a brilliant base for exploring the quieter northern fells. After settling into your room and meeting the rest of the group, we’ll enjoy dinner together at 20:00, followed by a relaxed welcome chat to introduce the course and what to expect over the next two days.

  • After breakfast, we’ll step straight out into the surrounding landscape to begin our practical navigation training. The day is all about getting to grips with the essentials – using a map and compass, understanding key features in the landscape, and learning how to follow a route confidently. The pace is relaxed and supportive, with plenty of chances to stop, discuss, and try out what you’re learning. We return to the centre in the late afternoon with time to unwind before dinner and a sociable evening.

  • Today we’ll build on everything covered so far, exploring more varied ground and practicing techniques like relocation, route planning, and using contour features to navigate confidently. There’s still time for questions, and your guide will tailor the day to support individual goals and group progress. The course wraps up by mid to late afternoon, with a final chat to reflect on the weekend before we say our goodbyes and head off home.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
    Blease Road
    Threlkeld
    Keswick
    CA12 4SG

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    Access Information:
    Once you have reached the village of Threlkeld and turned onto Blease Road, the accommodation is located one mile up the hill.

    Parking:
    There is free parking available at the accommodation.

    Public Transport:
    The accommodation is located 14 miles from Penrith Train Station, with services to/from London, Preston, Manchester and Edinburgh.

    Finish Time:
    We aim to finish on the final day between 15:00 and 16:00 - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • We will stay at the Field Studies Council’s Blencathra Centre for this weekend. Lonscale is the eco-friendly historic Lakeland slate building which we’ll call home for the duration. It offers a spectacular location on the slopes of Blencathra, with stunning views.

    All bedrooms are en-suite. Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
    Blease Road
    Threlkeld
    Keswick
    CA12 4SG

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin Room (bunk beds, en-suite)

    Rooms at Lonscale are mainly Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are en-suite). There are also some Twin Rooms - with bunk beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).

  • Included

    • 2 nights’ hostel accommodation.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and logistics for your experience.

    • Two days learning beginners navigation in the Lake District.

    • Use of maps and compasses.

    • Set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

  • Please see our General Walking Lit List

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

    We do provide maps and compasses to use during this experience, but if you have your own feel free to bring them.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. We will walk from the meeting location each day (returning back here at the end of each day).

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the activity and any additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.