Embark on your outdoor journey with our one-day practical map reading course, tailored to provide you with essential navigation skills using map and compass on gentle terrain.

Whether you’re new to hill walking, rely on guidebooks or your phones gps, this course is perfect for you and your confidence!

Highlights of the course include looking at Ordnance Survey and Harveys Maps, first steps in using a compass and planning short routes.

We’ll start in the Hope Valley in Derbyshire. We begin with introductions and a guided walk through fields on easy terrain, where you can practice your newly acquired map reading skills. The pace of the day will be easy going, with plenty of stops for discussion. 

The course is aimed  at those with limited or no map reading/navigation experience. 

The course includes looking at the following: 

  • Different map types, scales and the common symbols on a map
  • How to set and orient the map using land features
  • The maps grid system and how to take basic distance measurements 
  • How to estimate the time to walk a horizontal distance
  • We will look at the basics of contours and elevation and what they mean 
  • We will examine the  use “handrail” features to assist you with your route finding
  • We will look at how land features can help you locate yourself during your walk
  • We will introduce the compass and explain why and when to use it
  • We will look at GPS and mobile mapping software and discuss their positives and limitations
  • Planning a short route
  • Emergency procedures and what to do if you got lost

The course runs for 5 hours and is timed for your convenience.

Cost £50 per person (no minimum numbers).

Please email dan @sevenhillsoutdoors.co.uk or enquire through our enquiry form for more detail or to book.