From App to Map: A Practical Navigation Skills Day

Navigation Day – What to Expect

This full day in the hills is designed to help you move beyond relying on the blue dot of your phone’s navigation app and build genuine confidence using map and compass skills, in a supportive, relaxed environment.

Because navigation days involve a lot of stopping, discussing, and looking at maps, please come prepared with more warm layers than you would normally carry. While we will be walking approximately 6 miles (give or take) over the course of the day, the pace will be steady and unhurried to allow plenty of time for learning.

Arrival & Introduction

Once everyone has arrived at the car park, we’ll begin with brief introductions and a run-through of the day.

We’ll then spend some time in and around the car park covering the foundations of navigation, including:

• Orientating the map

• Understanding map scale and symbols

• Taking and understanding grid references

• Identifying key features on the map and relating them to the surrounding landscape

• A basic introduction to the compass and how it works

This initial session allows us to get comfortable with the tools before heading into the hills.

On the Hill Navigation

After the initial skills session, we’ll set off on our route for the day and begin putting our navigation skills into practice.

Throughout the walk we will:

• Use the compass to take and follow bearings

• Learn how to set the compass correctly

• Interpret contour lines and understand elevation and slope

• Recognise common map symbols such as footpaths, streams, and boundaries

• Practise relating the map to the ground around us

This is very much a learning-focused day, designed for discovery, discussion, and enjoyment of being out in the hills. Everyone will have the opportunity to take turns leading short, set navigation “legs”, helping to embed the skills we are exploring in a practical and supportive way.

Route & Decision Making

A planned route is in place; however, the exact route and pace may change depending on:

• Weather conditions on the day

• Group energy levels

• How our learning develops as the day progresses

Navigation is as much about decision-making as it is about technical skills, so we’ll work together as a group to discuss route choices and the reasoning behind them.

Finish & Debrief

Based on our route choice, we expect to return to the car park between 3:00–5:00pm.

Before we part ways, we’ll gather for a relaxed debrief with a hot drink. I’ll have a flask of hot water available in the van — please bring a mug and your beverage of choice so we can enjoy a tea or coffee together and reflect on the day.

Date and time: 

Saturday 14th February 2026. Meet at 9:15am to be ready to go for 9.30am

Start/finish location: 

We will meet at Harrowslack National Trust Car Park, Ambleside LA22 0LR

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SwDp96qFTyEd7Cjn7

This is a Pay and Display car park - you can use the App or CASH. You cannot pay by card.

It is something like £9 for the day, a very typical Lake District price.

Getting to the car park:

Best to use GoogleMaps for access. Please note that this is a pay and display car park.

Cars are left at the owner's own risk.

Toilet stops:

Unfortunately there are no toilets on this event, so wild wees will be necessary!

Kit List:

Please ensure you bring all items listed below. We will be spending time standing still as well as moving, so it is essential you are prepared for cold, wet, and changeable weather.

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket (essential)

• Waterproof trousers (essential)

• Warm layers (multiple insulating layers recommended)

• Warm hat (e.g. woolly hat)

• Gloves (bringing gloves also adds a useful navigation challenge)

• Sturdy walking shoes or boots you are comfortable walking in

Navigation Equipment

• OS Explorer Map OL7 (up to date version!)

• Compass (e.g. Silva Expedition recommended)

• Waterproof map case

• Walking poles (optional but recommended)

Food & Drink

• Packed lunch

• Snacks

• Drinking water

• Warm drink (strongly recommended)

Safety & Essentials

• Headtorch (fully charged)

• Small personal first aid kit

• Any personal medication

• Rucksack to carry all equipment

Optional / Useful Extras

• Gloves suitable for handling map and compass

• Notebook and pencil

• Spare warm layer

Essentially, this is all your usual hillwalking kit plus some extra (see my full kit list here: https://www.spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk/wildwalks )

A kit check will be carried out at the start of the day to ensure everyone is properly equipped.

Media:

By signing up to a walk with us you are giving us permission to take photos for promotional use across our website and social media pages. If you specifically do not want media taken with you in it, please do feel able to get in touch. We encourage you to take photos during your walk but ask you to be sensitive to other members. Also, we'd love to have a copy of any you are particularly proud of so we share them too!

Weather:

All of our walks are weather dependant. The weather can play a major role in our enjoyment of a day's walking and in some cases can present a real danger. We always review the weather forecast in detail the days before and will send you an email and text if we have to change any plans. This is however only likely if we feel heading out will put us at real risk. Please check the forecast for yourself and come prepared for whatever the weather! You should come fully kitted out for a full day's hike in the walking area.

Accidents and Incidents:

Abbie and our walk leaders are all qualified first aiders and will always carry an appropriate first aid kit. We will have always created a risk assessment before your event takes place to mitigate any issues that might arise.

Honesty is essential to staying safe. Should you be involved in an accident or become injured during the walk it is important that you notify Abbie or other walk leaders as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Should you feel unwell or require first aid please let them know. Please use the booking form and the paper disclaimer you will be given on the day as an opportunity to raise anything sich as previous medical issues or injuries that may affect your experience. Abbie is also a qualified and insured Mountain Leader.

By joining this event you understand that:  walking in nature in an outdoor area brings with it a level of risk. You will need to take responsibility for your own actions, health and involvement during the walk and will be expected to exercise judgement based on your fitness levels as to whether you can complete the walk. You will also be expected to abide by any safety instructions and decisions made by Abbie and her team and have a duty to exercise judgement regarding your own personal safety and that of other members of the group. If you choose to ignore safety instructions we cannot be held responsible for the consequences.

By joining this walk you are also acknowledging that you have read our Safeguarding Policy and agree to it.

Any queries please get in touch.

Food and Drink:

We will not be providing any food or drink on this walk except emergency rations. Please ensure you have adequate food and drink for the day. If you have any questions or need any help/advice with what food to bring, please feel able to get in touch.

Dogs:

Well behaved dogs are welcome on this event but they must be kept on a lead at all times and able to work well with other dogs. Please email at time of booking to confirm that you are bringing a dog: admin@spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk

No Drug and Alcohol Policy:

Spend More Time In The WILD has been set up in order to inspire and motivate followers to head outside for the benefit of mental and physical health. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure space for anyone walking out a journey of freedom from addiction and substance abuse and as such have a strict no drug or alcohol policy on our walks and camping events.

Cancellations:

By Us: In the rare case that we have to cancel an event, you will be notified by email and offered a full refund.

By You: We require 30 days cancellation notice prior to your scheduled arrival, otherwise we will charge you cancellation fee as below.

- 75% of your total amount will be charged if you notify us about your cancellation or any changes by 30 days to 7 days before your scheduled arrival.

- 100% of your total amount will be charged if you do not notify us about your cancellation or any changes within 7 days.

If you have any questions regarding the walk or booking, please get in touch via the 'contact' page. You will be supplied with a contact number for emergency use on the day of the walk in your booking package.