Whether you are completely new to off road running, or just a bit rusty in the old map and compass department, WR’s navigation courses on Dartmoor in Devon, aim to provide you with the basic skills to traverse tricky moorland landscapes.

What’s included

• Skills/Technique training
• Set a Compass bearing from map to ground.
• Use a compass to follow bearings accurately across open ground over short legs.
• Measure distances with reasonable accuracy by double pacing and timing.
• Estimate the time needed for height gain.
• Use major landforms (hills, spurs, valleys, ridges) as a means of navigation.
• Identify smaller contour features on a map and ground ie re entrants and small hills.
• Use aiming off to reach a target on a linear feature.
• Identify the most appropriate route, where more than one is available.
• Use coarse navigation and collection features to locate an attack point.
• From an attack point use fine navigation to locate a target.
• Additional extra. We will also provide GPS navigation techniques (upon request), including downloading and uploading routes and getting the most out of your device for following a route and for knowing where you are.

About the Course

Navigation course taught by experts.

Suitable for runners, walkers, individuals & groups.

Weekdays & weekends.

Whether you are completely new to off road running, or just a bit rusty in the old map and compass department, Wild Running’s navigation courses on Dartmoor in Devon aim to provide you with the basic skills to traverse tricky moorland landscapes. We want you to be sure footed about your route selection and use of a map and compass in all conditions. Dartmoor is the ideal place to learn, as the weather can be unpredictable at times and may not be far from blanket fog. We can also recommend places for you to stay on or around Dartmoor National Park, whether you are visiting for a weekend or just the day.

Our instructors are mountain leader qualified and teach to the industry standard. They can also advise you about how to find useful routes for practising your navigation, further reading material and how to choose the right gear. We can also advise about choosing an appropriate GPX device and how to create GPX files.

Maximum group size per instructor is six (we can arrange for extra instructors if numbers exceed this).

NB: A whole day course lasts from 10am to 4.30pm (one hour theory + minimum of four hours practice. Includes break for lunch).

Kit List

• Sleeping bag
• Torch
• Bed sheet
• Pillow
• Towel
• A mug
• Spare casual clothes
• Trail or fell shoes
• Waterproof/windproof bottoms and top
• Whistle
• Camelbag or water container for runs
• Bumbag or small backpack for running/daytrips
• Pound coins
• OS Explorer Map OL6: The Lake District: South-western
• Optional
• Map (if you’d like to work on your navigation skills)
• compass
• something to read
• Sample itinerary for a 4 day Dartmoor Wild Running Camp (camping option)

This guided journey will include:

• Baggage transfer
• Breakfast, dinner and lunch
• Expert running advice
• Expert evening speakers and presentations
• First Aid trained guides