Map Skills - Moors and Dales, Navigation Courses
North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales
One day Map and Compass Navigation Courses in North Yorkshire, for walkers, hikers, backpackers and wild campers. Where you will learn to read a map and navigate using a map and compass.
The courses are held in various locations across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales,
National Parks.
Learn to read a map, then navigate, safely and easily by using simple to use and easily remembered techniques.
Basic to Advanced navigation courses available.
- Do you lack the knowledge and skills to navigate safely using a map & compass?
- Do you know how to read a map, what do all those symbols mean?
- What are contours? Can you recognise features, valleys, spurs, the shape of hills?
- Could you locate yourself on a map, then follow a course?
- Can you use a compass to take and follow a bearing?
- Have you ever been lost or unsure which direction to go?
- Do you feel safe, when navigating? In the fog or at night? On a clear sunny day?
Course prices start at only £53.00 per person, when booked as a group of four.
It’s more fun when booked with friends and family. Prices vary with the number of participants.
I had not realised there was a problem with my email, and I have NOT been receiving emails for the last 10 days to
“admin@map-skills-moors-and-dales.co.uk”.
I was away and without wi-fi / internet so did not know there was a problem.
So I have not ignored you, I have not seen your messages.
That problem has now been fixed.
Please, resend any emails & I will get back to you asap (16th April 2025)
Why book on a One Day Map and Compass Navigation Course in North Yorkshire
- Outdoor safety and adventure – avoid getting lost. Whether you are hiking, wild camping, backpacking or off road cycling, know where you are and where you are going. Know how to plan for longer trips in the wilderness.
Lear to read a map, a traditional and important skill, even today.
Explore remote areas, no need to follow crowd. Discover more! - Emergency Preparedness – no need to rely on electronic gadgets. Know what to do if your GPS were to fail. Be able to give your grid reference in the case of an emergency,
- Military or Guiding – Find your way. What direction? [Both in MILS and degrees]
The Distance. How far you need to travel? The Duration in paces or time. Description, what you should see on the route, tick off way marks as you go. Recognising your Destination, using catching features, a predetermined time or physical object.
Dangers Any potential dangers on the route and to avoid them. - Personal Development – learn a new (traditional) skill. Have self confidence in the outdoors – no need to rely on electronics. Using a map is not just for navigation, they can be used for history, sports (shooting & fishing), the environment.
Why - Map Skills Moors & Dales?
- Your instructor, Jim Haskell, has over 30 years experience of being a mountain leader.
- The emphasis is on assisting you to learn, to be by your side, to support you on your journey. Oh! To have fun too.
- The skills you learn are appropriate to all the mountainous areas of England, Wales and Scotland.
- Keeping it local to the North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales – intimate and close to where Jim lives and spends his time outdoors.
- We keep groups small – less disturbance to wildlife. You will see so much more.
- Each individual gets time to learn and practice every new skill. You are not just shown once. You get to practice and practice again. So important! After the course, please phone or email with your questions.
- You are not sure about something, ask, say something. Jim has great experience of dealing with people whom are neurodivergent. You will be given greater support.
- Great value for money- you are sent a pre read pdf, prior to the course. You have the use of a map and compass during the course. You are given a laminated booklet, with all the skills you have learnt to keep. See available discounts.
New - Beginners Backpacking and Wilderness Camping Adventure Courses
Have you ever thought about going Backpacking and Wild Camping, but have been put off by the initial expense, only to find it’s not for you?
We now offer 2 day or more taster expeditions, so you can try, before you buy. Give it a go! Get all the details here.
Previously used Course Locations. Not all locations are listed
These are only suggested locations within the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales. You will be consulted on what location will suit your needs most & your convenience.
One Day Map and Compass Navigation Courses in North Yorkshire
What you will receive
After booking your one course day basic navigation course in North Yorkshire, you will be sent via email a pre-course training manual, as a pdf file for you to download and read or print off.
By reading this manual it will give you the basics of understanding map & compass navigation.
We will cover this again, more comprehensively in person, prior to starting navigating course.
You will also be sent joining instructions, including a kit list, that it is advisable to bring with you.
On the day of the course will receive a laminated booklet, that contains a reminder of all you will learn during the day, plus useful tables of information: – tables for estimating distance / time, Ascent & descent timing etc.
9.30 a.m start at cafe location for a hot drink, to discuss the basic navigation skills course notes you were sent.
To practice giving 4 & 6 figure map references together with 500 square metre & 100 square metre reference letters.
A kit check, to ensure your clothing is suitable and you’re not carrying too much or little.
9.45 to 10 a.m. We should be out practicing our new skills.
The days are not strenuous to allow for concentration on navigation, but still in challenging terrain. Plenty of time for breaks, as the course can be mentally taxing.
4.30 to 5 p.m.. course concludes, debrief.
One day Basic Course
This Course is for those who wish to learn to navigate with a map and compass, safely in the outdoors, especially in upland and remote areas. Aimed at the complete beginner or those with limited experience of navigating using a map and compass. Discover about : –
- map scales
- signs & symbols
- contours
- setting / orientating the map, so what you see on the ground is on the map
- 4 & 6 figure grid references
- distance, timing and pacing
- the parts of a base plate compass
- how to take a map and compass bearing & follow them
- about magnetic deviation / declination & how to allow for it.
- the 5D’s of navigation: – Direction, Distance, Duration, Description, Dangers
- putting these all into practice. So you can follow a route with confidence
After completing this course you should be able to locate yourself within a 100 metre square or a 6 figure grid reference. The basic one day course costs £89 as a one to one course. If booked as group booking, discounts are available, up to a maximum of 4
One day Advanced Course
This course is for those who have already completed the basic course, and spent time practicing those skills.
Or those who have been using a map & compass for some time and want to hone their skills.
An assessment of your existing skills will be made, and gaps in your knowledge or skills will be updated.
You will learn to use ‘Micro-navigation techniques’ of : –
- aiming off
- attack points
- handrailing
- funnel features
- way marks & transit points
- dog legging
- boxing
- leap frogging
- using back bearings
- slope aspect & shape
- resection technique
- relocation [finding your location when ‘lost’]
- Naismith’s rule & variants
- How to plan a route & card
- How to follow a bearing in white out conditions or fog
More precise navigation practice. After this course you will be able to locate yourself with 10 square metres or an 8 figure grid reference.
The advanced one day course costs £89 as a one to one course. If booked as group booking, discounts are available, up to a maximum of 4 persons.
The easiest way to book a course is for you to see what dates are available by using the button above (Tidycal).
Book a date and you will be contacted to confirm the booking.
With the number of people you wish to book on the course, a maximum of four people.
(The maximum of 4 persons is not set in stone, please give me a phone call or email.)
[The course may not be suitable for children under 12 years of age. Please contact us.]
Discounts applied for groups booked at the same time, 20%, 30% & 40%, for 2, 3, or 4 people.
See the full list of prices with discounts on the Navigation Course Page.
You will then be contacted via email or phone to confirm the booking and sent a payment link via email.
You will be sent a payment link to make a 25% non-returnable subject to conditions deposit to secure the date, via Sumup/Square/PayPal
[To cover admin fees.]
The remaining 75% is required to be paid 7 days before the course date.
Or if you are not sure what date you want, just email, phone, or text us,
or fill out the contact form with your enquiry
07597165258
admin@map-skills-moors-and-dales.co.uk
“We learnt so much, during the day, far more than we expected. Jim was able to answer all those questions that video's & books can't.”
The Masterman’s
Testimonials
Vibert Noble
I had a very productive time with Jim on a damp misty autumn day learning basic map and compass skills. The information provided before the day was very helpful as are the laminated flip cards supplied afterwards as an aide memoir.
I would highly recommend..
Vicki Petifer
Great day hiking, learning map skills and how to use a compass properly. We spent the whole day with Jim in the Yorkshire Dales and it was amazing learning all the detail on the map that we have never used before. Jim has a lot of experience in this area and taught us so much that will make our hikes more fun and safer. We’ve been out a few hill walks since then and have really used all the skills we learnt in that day. Thoroughly recommend this course 👌
Frederick Parnell
Great experience were my lessons with Jim. I really enjoy spending time with Jim he doesn’t only teach you map reading, but lots of other key pointers whilst out on the hill. He really tailored the lesson to the assessment I was preparing for, which I am extremely grateful for. My map reading has came on a long way since my lessons with Jim. I look forward to doing more lessons including night navigation with him.
Nige Masterman
Myself and my daughter did a map reading day course with jim we learned so much such a great day couldn’t wish to meet a nicer guy highly recommend a day doing it .
Sandra Jones
Really enjoyed the navigation course with Jim. It was a step by step guide so not overloaded with too much info at once. Had a great few hours and met some other like-minded people. Would definitely recommend