Navigation Courses North Yorkshire
Map and Compass Navigation Courses based in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales
This website is now unfortunately closed. I shall no longer be taking bookings for courses. Due to health issues, I am unable to offer classes. The effects of heavy smoking in my younger days have caught up with me – COPD. (I haven’t touched a cigarette in 30 years). Basically, I have to keep stopping to get my breath when ascending hills, because my lungs have lost their elasticity. The booking section of the website has been removed.
I will still be out walking & backpacking, at my own pace, but not taking classes.
Thank you to all those I have taught in the past. Any questions, get in touch via email. (11/12/2025)
ADJUSTING FOR MAGNETIC DECLINATION/DEVIATION.
Magnetic North has moved further to the east towards Siberia. For the previous 3 years, Grid North & magnetic north have been in alignment. So if you took a map bearing or a grid bearing, the bearing was the same.
Magnetic North in the North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales area is approximately 0’5 to 1 degree east of Grid North. [Magnetic north is moving approximately 1 degree east every 5 years].
From Map to CompasS you need to Subtract the difference.
(Subtract 1 degree from your bearing as you go from the map to the compass bearing)
From Compass to MaP you need to add (Positive).
(Add 1 degree to your bearing as you go from the compass to the map bearing)
Over a distance of 300 metres, the variation equates to a distance of 5.24 metres
Over a distance of 500 metres, the variation equates to a distance of 8.73 metres
OK at the moment, that will not make a great deal of difference as most base plate compasses are only accurate to 1 to 2 degrees. The distance between you actual target location and your “location” without making the adjustment is only small now, but will be greater in time, as magnetic north continues its journey further east.
December 2025, it has finally happened Grid North & Magnetic North are no longer in alignment. When adjusting for map & compass bearing you need to make adjustments!
Basic & Advanced Navigation Courses.
Join us on a One-Day Map and Compass Navigation Course in North Yorkshire on the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, where you will learn how to navigate using a map and compass.
During the course, you will be supplied with a Silva Expedition Base Plate Compass and an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map, for use during the day.
You will learn, both on the basic and advanced navigation courses, easily remembered techniques that are repeated so you understand and remember. The courses are both fun and practical.
The locations are chosen to enable you to learn and practice new skills in land navigation. The days will last about 6 to 8 hours.
The courses are available all week. There are no set dates for when these courses are held; just fill in the Contact Form, send an email, or telephone me, to arrange a course.
These Compass and Map Reading Courses are just the start of your navigation journey, they are the foundation, upon which you can build your knowledge and experience.
Course locations
Courses are held across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, in areas where we can practice navigation skills, in terrain that is not too challenging, but wild enough to make you think.
There are no fixed locations; each course is tailored to the requirements of the course participants in areas they are not familiar with. We want you to practice your new navigation skills, not use your memory.
The courses aim to teach you new navigation skills, not to test your abilities to walk across uneven ground. However, there is always the risk of twisted ankles & trips, which can lead to injury, due to the uneven terrain where the courses take place.
Although the courses last 6 to 8 hours, we may only travel 6 to 7 miles, as there is a lot more use of the brain, rather than muscle power. A minimum standard of fitness is required, but the days are not too strenuous. There will be a need to walk up and down hills to reach and navigate our way across areas of rough grass and heather etc,
Book a course below.
Once you have decided to join us on a Basic or Advanced one-day navigation course, use the Booking app below to contact us with the type of course you wish to participate in.
Just complete the Form, and we shall be in touch with you to obtain all the details. The number of participants, their details, and discuss a suitable location.
You will then be sent a PDF document for you to read ‘Basic Navigation Training Notes’, so you have an understanding of the basics of map and compass navigation, which saves a bit of time on the day of the course.
Once the course is booked, you will be sent a letter/email confirming all the details and suggestions of clothing and equipment you need to bring. Plus detailed instructions on where we shall meet etc.
Or use the Contact button below to go to the ‘Contact Page’ of the website, if you have any questions.
Emergency details page
Leave these details with a responsible person
No one wants an accident to happen; however, as their name implies accidents do happen.
You may know where you are going, but does anyone else?
You are off on a solo walk/backpacking, what would happen if you fell or twisted an ankle, who would know?
Print off this form and fill it out, if you are then delayed for whatever reason, Search & Rescue of whatever type would at least have an idea where to look.
Fill in the route plan, you plan the route, circumstance might change, a route might be flooded/damaged and you can not use it. At least there will be a rough idea where you may be.