Learn Navigation for Walkers – Eryri (Snowdonia) Map Skills Weekend
Build confidence with map and compass on this friendly beginner navigation weekend in Eryri (Snowdonia), based at Bryn Engan, a welcoming woodland cottage near Capel Curig. Designed for walkers who want to feel more independent on the hills, this relaxed, fully guided course combines practical learning, gentle walks, and a sociable group atmosphere in one of North Wales’ best training areas.
Perfect if you’re new to navigation, returning after a long break, or simply want to feel more confident planning and following your own routes.
Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Accommodation: Cottage
Group Size: Maximum 8 (but up to 14 sharing the accommodation)
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Pricing & Accommodation: From £245 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Booking Calendar…
Learn to Navigate with Confidence in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Learn the essential skills to navigate confidently in the hills with Large Outdoors on this supportive and sociable beginner navigation weekend in Eryri (Snowdonia).
This course is designed for walkers who enjoy being outdoors but would like to feel more independent when following maps, planning routes, and understanding the landscape around them. Whether you currently rely on others, stick to well-marked paths, or feel unsure using a compass, this weekend will give you the confidence to explore more freely and safely.
Based at Bryn Engan, a comfortable woodland cottage near Capel Curig, the course combines short, gentle walks with practical instruction in real terrain. Learning takes place outdoors, at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to practise, ask questions, and build confidence without pressure.
Our experienced instructors specialise in working with beginners. The atmosphere is friendly, patient, and encouraging, with small group sizes and plenty of individual support. Many people join on their own, and the sociable Large Outdoors style makes it easy to settle in, enjoy learning together, and make new friends over the weekend.
By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident:
Reading and understanding an OS map
Using a compass accurately
Planning simple hill walks
Interpreting the landscape around you
Making safe route choices
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!
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Arrive at Bryn Engan from 17:00 onwards and settle into the cottage. Your Large Outdoors host will be there to welcome you, show you around, and help everyone get settled.
You’ll be sharing the venue with other Large Outdoors participants on different activity weekends, but your navigation group (maximum 8 people) will have a dedicated instructor throughout the course.
Dinner is served in the evening, followed by a relaxed introduction to the weekend, a chat through the plans ahead, and time to get to know the group. The atmosphere is informal and sociable, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and ease into the weekend.
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After breakfast, you’ll meet your navigation instructor and head out into the hills of Eryri (Snowdonia) for your first training day. The location will be chosen to suit the weather and the group, with gentle terrain ideal for learning.
The day focuses on building strong foundations in a calm and supportive way. Expect short walks, frequent stops, and plenty of hands-on practice, covering:
Understanding the map and symbols
Matching map to ground
Reading contour lines and gradients
Using a compass with confidence
Finding your position using features
The pace is relaxed, with time to practise, ask questions, and build confidence without pressure. Learning is very much “on the go”, using the landscape around you as your classroom.
Back at the cottage in the afternoon, there’s time to shower, relax, and unwind before enjoying a shared evening meal and a sociable evening with the group.
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After breakfast, we check out of the cottage and head to a new training area within Eryri (Snowdonia) for the final day.
Today builds on what you’ve learned so far, with more emphasis on:
Following simple routes
Planning short hill walks
Improving accuracy with map and compass
Making safe route choices on the ground
There’s plenty of time to consolidate your skills, revisit anything you’d like more practice with, and ask questions as you go.
We aim to finish by around 17:00, often with a café stop for a final debrief before everyone heads home feeling more confident and ready to plan their own walks.
Travel Note
Please note that transport between the accommodation and training locations is not included on this trip. Short car journeys may be required, and we encourage participants to share lifts within the group where possible.
Essential Information
Activity
Duration: Two nights, three days
Activity: Navigation Course
Group Size: 8
Age: 18+
Dogs: No Dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Transportation:
We do not include any transport on this trip.
Travel between walking locations is not included on this trip. Some short car journeys may be required to reach the start of the scrambles, and we actively encourage participants to share lifts where possible.
Timings:
Check-in from: 17:00
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 14:00 - 16:00.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location or station pick-up.
Any extras, excursions, or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Any food, drinks, or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurants, pubs, or cafés visited.
Accommodation
Name & Address:
Bryn Engan
Plas y Brenin
Capel Curig
LL24 0ET
Please note we are staying in a cottage in the grounds of Plas y Brenin, please do not go to the main centre as this is incorrect.
Directions: Please use these and NOT post codes, sat nav.
Head to Caffi Siabod, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EL, just over the road you will see a turning that has gated access and Bryn Engan on the gate. The code will be sent out a few days before, go through the gate and follow the signs.
Type: Cottage
Rooms Available: Single Rooms, Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, Shared Rooms
Bathrooms: En-suite
Parking: Free Parking available at the accommodation.
Meals:
Breakfast - A continental breakfast is provided and this includes, cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt.
Packed Lunches - We provide a packed lunch for the Saturday swims, Sunday we will pop to a cafe post swim and this is not included.
Evening Meals - Group meal included in the venue.
Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee are provided.
Alcoholic Drinks - Not included. If you’d like a drink with dinner, please feel free to bring a bottle!
Vegetarian, vegan, and meals made from gluten-free ingredients can be provided. Please select the relevant options during checkout.
Kits List: Walking Weekend Kit List
FAQ’s: Answers to our most common questions
We include maps and compasses.
Travel insurance: We recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, and injury and death.
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.