Mountain Navigation
Pathway: Mountain
Level: Foundation
Turn map and compass skills into a reliable way of moving through mountain terrain.
Level: Foundation
Build the practical skills and judgement for confident days in the mountains.
£220 per person
Mountain Skills Foundations is a two-day introduction to planning and completing mountain walks with greater confidence. It brings together the skills that make a day work: preparation, clothing, movement, navigation, weather awareness and sensible responses when plans change. Both days are spent learning through real journeys in Buttermere or Langdale. The route is chosen to give useful practice without making a summit the measure of success.
Based in Buttermere / Langdale. We choose the exact venue around conditions and the skills being practised.
Up to 6 participants per instructor. The booking details show spaces available on each date.
No technical mountain experience is required. Some regular walking and enough fitness for a full day on uneven terrain will help you get the most from the course.
Weatherproof clothing, warm layers, food, drinks and personal medication. Walking boots or appropriate mountain footwear, a day pack, map, compass and headtorch.
Maps and compasses can be provided, but we recommend bringing your own. We will tell you which map you need and recommend a Silva Expedition 4 compass.
The exact plan may adapt to weather, venue conditions and the group's experience. The stages below describe the intended focus.
£220 per person. Choose a confirmed date below, or register your interest while dates are being finalised.
| Dates | Location | Price per person | Places | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu-Fri 4-5 Mar 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 4 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 4-5 Mar 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Thu-Fri 1-2 Apr 2027 | South Lakes · Langdale | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 1-2 Apr 2027, South Lakes · Langdale |
| Tue-Wed 11-12 May 2027 | South Lakes · Langdale | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Tue-Wed 11-12 May 2027, South Lakes · Langdale |
| Thu-Fri 8-9 Jul 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 8-9 Jul 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Thu-Fri 5-6 Aug 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 5-6 Aug 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Thu-Fri 2-3 Sep 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 2-3 Sep 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Wed-Thu 22-23 Sep 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Register interest, Wed-Thu 22-23 Sep 2027, North Lakes · ButtermereRegister interest, Wed-Thu 22-23 Sep 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Sat-Sun 2-3 Oct 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Sat-Sun 2-3 Oct 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Thu-Fri 28-29 Oct 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Register interest, Thu-Fri 28-29 Oct 2027, North Lakes · ButtermereRegister interest, Thu-Fri 28-29 Oct 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
| Thu-Fri 4-5 Nov 2027 | North Lakes · Buttermere | £220 per person | 6 places left | Book now, Thu-Fri 4-5 Nov 2027, North Lakes · Buttermere |
No dates match these filters.
Tailored development built around you
If the published dates do not work, ask about a private mountain skills foundations course. Tell us your experience, group size and preferred dates so we can confirm availability and a quote.
Yes. It is designed for walkers building the skills behind independent mountain days. Some regular walking will help you enjoy two days outside.
This course covers the wider mountain day, including preparation, movement, weather and decisions. Mountain Navigation gives more time to detailed map-and-compass practice.
You should be able to walk for a day on uneven ground with a small pack. Teaching includes pauses, but we still travel through mountain terrain; contact us if you are unsure.
Most learning takes place during practical mountain journeys. Planning and map discussions are connected to what we see on the hill, with the arrangements confirmed in your joining information.
This is a personal skills course. If your aim is to lead groups professionally or work towards an award, explore the separate Mountain Leader pathway.
Contact us before booking or buying kit. We will confirm what you need, what can be arranged and any hire charges for this course.
We may change the route, venue or order of exercises to suit conditions and the group. The advertised learning aims remain the focus, and joining information explains the practical arrangements.
Yes. Public courses and workshops are priced per person, so you can book an individual place and join others. Check the page prerequisites before booking; you do not need to provide a whole group yourself.
Choose the course or workshop, check the date and location, and follow Book now. Complete the requested participant information and payment steps. If you are unsure about suitability or need equipment advice, contact us before completing the booking.
Bookings below £300, or made fewer than 42 days before the start, are payable in full. For bookings of £300 or more made at least 42 days before the start, a deposit option is available, with the balance due 30 days before the start. The booking page confirms the amount due when you book.
Public course and workshop prices are per person. Private delivery is quoted separately for the agreed format and group. Mountain Leader reassessment is priced according to the scope agreed after reviewing your report.
Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy before booking. It explains the applicable notice periods, charges and options for moving a place. Contact us promptly if your circumstances change, giving your booking name and date.
Contact us as soon as you know you may be unable to attend. Changes, transfers and refunds are handled under the Booking & Cancellation Policy. Let us know before the day rather than arriving unsure whether you can take part.
We will contact you to explain the change and the options available under our booking terms. Read the policy before booking, particularly before making separate travel or accommodation arrangements.
Public dates depend on sufficient bookings. If numbers affect your date, we will explain the situation and the options under our booking terms. The places shown online are availability, not a promise that minimum numbers have already been met.
Use Join the waiting list where it is shown, or contact us with the course and date. A waiting-list request is not a confirmed booking; we will contact you if a suitable place becomes available.
Yes. Use Register interest or contact us with the offering and your preferred dates. We can let you know about forthcoming public dates or discuss private delivery, subject to availability.
Yes. We will honour valid existing vouchers as the booking system changes. Contact us with the voucher details before paying so we can explain how to apply it.
Contact us before arranging a replacement. We need to check the booking terms, the other participant's suitability and their details before confirming whether a transfer is possible.
Check your spam or junk folder, then contact us with the booking name, course and date. Please check with us before making a second payment so we can establish what happened.
Reading to support your learning
Is Instant Access to Information Making Us Less Likely to Develop Skills (for Hill Walking)?
Top tips for planning a day in the mountains. UK hill walking, preparation, planning and consideration before heading out.
Top tips and strategies from experienced mountaineers and instructors to help improve your navigation in the mountains.