Part of our progressive Wayfinder Series, the Essentials Navigation Day introduces you to the fundamental tools of wilderness navigation: the map and the compass. This course is designed to build real confidence in reading the land, understanding terrain, and making smart decisions in wild spaces.
Learning to navigate means more than finding your way – it’s about forming a deeper connection with the landscape. From the forest floor, the map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the land, while the compass links you to the invisible forces of the planet. Together, they unlock hidden paths, expand your awareness, and bring a true sense of self-reliance to your time outdoors.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to solidify your existing skills, this course offers a hands-on, movement-based learning experience led by passionate and knowledgeable instructors. It’s about empowerment, enjoyment, and seeing the outdoors with new clarity.
This course blends core navigation skills with experiential learning in the field. You’ll cover:
This day is structured as a long-form navigation challenge. We’ll cover approximately 8 km at a steady, mindful pace, navigating as a team through varied terrain including some steep and uneven sections. You’ll work directly with instructors to locate waymarks, make decisions, and apply your skills as we move through the landscape.
To enjoy the day fully, you should be comfortable being on your feet for several hours and walking through hills, woods, and open spaces. This is a physical and practical day, but accessible to most with a moderate level of fitness.
We begin and end our day at the welcoming Alpkit Store in Hathersage, where we start with a tea or coffee and an informal briefing on the sofa. At the end of the course, we return for a relaxed debrief and, for those interested, a tailored tour of the Alpkit store – including discussions on their innovative gear, sustainable materials, and repair services.
We’re proud to partner with Alpkit, whose gear we’ve trusted in the wild for years. Their support helps us deliver a richer, more connected learning experience for all participants.
Whether you’re planning solo hikes, joining longer expeditions, or just want to step confidently away from marked paths, this course is for you. Suitable for complete beginners and for those with basic experience who want to fast-track to more advanced skills.
Let this course be the key that opens the map – and the land – in a whole new way.
£75,00
10am – 5pm
£75 per person
Please note the terms and conditions before you book
Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests to ensure we create a very high interaction time with the instructor.
This day course is also available as a private booking, so if you have a group of friends that want to get outside and learn some skills contact us directly for a quote.
A full kit list is given out on booking, but you won’t need much more than warm clothing and some lunch.
Due the involved nature of this course, we don’t feel its suitable to under 10 year olds (please ask if you have any questions)
Under 18’s must be accompanied by a participating adult
Run in the stunning Peak District, meeting at the Alpkit store in Hathersage. We’ll send you exact details with the booking pack.
Instructor: Jamie Dakota Instructor: Andy Partridge
