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Relaxed walks on mainly flat or graded paths and tracks within easy access of a road/parking with little or no steep ground. These walks are designed to take in a specific tourist site or experience - perhaps to visit a ruined Scottish castle, wildlife centre or ancient carved stones - and are suitable for a wide range of abilities, typically never more than 3 miles or 2 hours of walking.
Leisurely walking on paths and tracks with occasional steep or uneven sections or steps. Designed to offer an immersive and relaxing experience connecting with nature and the outdoors these walks help promote wellbeing and may include walks around lochs, along beaches, through woodland and glens, to visit a specific historic or geological site, to learn about foraging for wild plants or to reach viewpoint. These are suitable for a wide range of abilities and are typically 3 to 6 miles with up to 5 hours of walking and 300m of ascent and descent.
Expect a full day of walking using a mixture of paths, tracks and over mixed terrain. There are likely to be some steep or uneven sections or steps. These walks are suited to those used to being active and may include easier hill summits, coastal walks, sections of long distance trails such as the Kintyre Way, visiting sites off the beaten track and sunset walks. Walks are typically 6 to 8 miles with 4 to 6 hours of walking and no more than 600m of ascent and descent.
An active day of walking using a mixture of paths, tracks and over mixed terrain which is likely to have steep rough sections. These walks are suited to those used to being active and may include hill summits, coastal sections with a lot of ascent and descent, remoter areas, longer sections of trails such as the Kintyre Way, visiting sites off the beaten track, trig point hunters and Wainwright baggers. Walks are typically 7 to 12 miles with 5 to 8 hours of walking and up to 800m of ascent and descent.
A full day of walking over varied ground, which may incorporate a mixture of tracks and paths but is likely to include rugged steep pathless terrain, requiring advanced skills, good fitness and stamina. Walks at this level are usually either long distance, which may or may not incorporate good paths, or in remote and mountainous areas. Typical walks include the easier Munros and Corbetts, the higher Lakeland and Welsh fells, challenges such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks and long distance backpacks such as the Coast to Coast or Pennine Way. Distances vary but are typically 10-25 miles with ascents of up to 1600m. A full days walking may take anything from 6 to12 hours.
A full day of walking over varied ground, which may incorporate a mixture of tracks and paths, rugged steep and rough pathless terrain, exposed ridges and non-technical scrambles requiring advanced skills, good fitness and stamina. Walks at this level are usually either long distance, which may or may not incorporate good paths, or in remote and mountainous areas. Typical walks include the harder or more remote Munros and Corbetts, routes such as Striding Edge in the Lake District, high level or remote long distance backpacks or ultra long distance events. Distances vary but are often over 15 miles with ascents often exceeding 1000m. An example is the Patterdale Round which takes in 17 Wainwrights, is 30 miles and has over 3000m of ascent. A full days walking may take anything from 8 to16 or more hours.
Being able to confidently navigate on the hill or in remote locations brings its own freedom to each experience. The true nature of the landscape can be safely enjoyed and respected allowing for exploration and discovery in a way which is hard to match without such knowledge. And, of course, there are times when being able to navigate your way out of a tricky situation, be it through bad weather or a lapse in concentration, can make a huge difference when seeking a safe route off the hill, to find shelter or just meet a deadline for an event.
This two day course offers the opportunity to develop map and compass skills, navigation and route planning strategies and to put these skills into practice. Elements include: a recap on map scales, features and symbols, map setting, cardinal points and using a compass. Accurate bearings, measuring distance, pacing and timing, grid references, tracking progress, catching features, recognising contour features, slope aspect, relocation, aiming off, attack points, navigation on open land away from tracks and paths. Equipment, access and safety in the outdoors.
Day 1
Day 2
All our activities can be booked for private groups as bespoke experiences.
Prices and terms & conditions for bespoke experiences apply.
Unfortunately, although we welcome well behaved dogs on most of our walks (and you may well meet our trusty canine team member), our navigation courses - and experiences where specified - are not appropriate for dogs and may be on land or in property where dogs (other than guide/assistance dogs) are not allowed.
Please see our alternatives walks if you wish to bring your furry friend. Occasionally we may make an exception but please ensure you have contacted us and we have confirmed that your dog can attend.
Yes. Please see the activity description for the skill level and walk grade. We recommend you contact us to ensure the level is appropriate or if your child is under 12 years old. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (see terms)
All our activities can be booked for women only groups either as bespoke experiences or where advertised.
Please wear appropriate footwear such as walking boots or sturdy walking shoes/trainers with a good tread suitable for hill walking. Details of what to bring are sent out with our Heathery Heights Kit List. The access and areas we use for the course are likely to have either steps, slopes or rough ground. Parking is available at the Beaver Centre. We use the centre as a base on Day 1 of the course. You will need transport for Day 2 which is held outside; the meeting point for Day 2 will be agreed on Day 1 to ensure nobody travels further than necessary. We recommend car sharing where possible. If you need accommodation we can send you some options when you book but note we do not provide accommodation or transport ourselves.
Please see our note on dogs above. We may be able to accommodate your canine friend in some instances. This depends on where the course is run - particularly on Day 2 - as some activities may be in areas that are inappropriate for dogs. Please ask! Importantly we ask that any dog we give permission for is well behaved. Thank you.
