Navigation Course Locations: North York Moors

Barkers Crags, Scugdale, to the south of Carlton Bank.
Suggested locations to practice map and compass skills, on the North York Moors, together with suitability, terrain, and facilities.

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.

1 to 1 Course, on Black Hambleton
Black Hambleton, from Square Corner
Square Corner, Osmotherley

There is plenty of free parking; however, the area lacks nearby facilities, such as cafes and pubs, in Osmotherley.
A short, steep(ish) uphill section to a plateau, where the course takes place. Well-defined paths, Heather, dry underfoot. Many Bronze Age burial sites, a WW2 airplane crash site, a spectacular hidden valley

The Wainstones from Cold Moor
The Wainstones from Cold Moor
Chop Gate, Middlesbrough

 A pay and display National Park paid car park at the village hall. There is a pub in the village. 
An easy slope up onto the moor. Both the moor and the paths can be damp in the lower sections
Heather, Bracken. and deep rutted paths. Great opportunity for ‘off-path’ navigation and micro-navigation. Many Bronze Age burial sites. A visit to the ‘Wainstones’?

Hawnby Crag, North York Moors
Hawnby Crag, North York Moors from Moorgate
Hawnby, near Helmsley

There is free parking in the village or at Moorgate.
An excellent cafe in the village (Closed Wed & Thur). Gentle slopes unless we decide to ascend Hawnby Crag. Various types of terrain to encounter, from open moorland to fields  and woodland.

Lunch, Bronze age Tumuli, Carlton Bank
Lunch, Bronze age Tumuli, Carlton Bank. A very hot day, a break was needed.
Lordstones and Carlton Bank

Free parking at Lordstones, which is luckily also a cafe, where we can chat prior to the commencement of the course. 
A step short ascent up onto the moor. Once on the plateau, the terrain is generally level.
Sandstone with Heather and Bracken so generally dry. Bronze Age burial mounds. 
There are many opportunities to practice micro-navigation

Hole-of-Horcum. Near Pickering
Atul needed to improve his navigation skills for ultra long distance running.
Hole-of-Horcum, Pickering

A pay and display National Park car park. No facilities nearby.
A natural, massive amphitheater formed during the ice age. A steep descent into the valley. It can be damp & muddy in places. Varied terrain from short grass, woodland and Heather moorland. The are several hills to ascend/descend. An opportunity to see the Skelton Tower (folly) & steam trains on the North York Moor Railway.

Round Hill, Urra Moor, the highest point on the North York Moors
Round Hill, Urra Moor, the highest point on the North York Moors
Clay Bank, Round hill, Urra Moor

Free roadside parking or pay and display National Park car park. No facilities nearby.
To gain access to the Moor requires a short ascent onto the plateau. Sandstone with Heather, Braken, and short grass. Remains dry underfoot on top, but can be damp on lower sections to the south, off of trackways.
Great opportunities for micro-navigation. Steep-sided valleys