Navigate your way to moor fun in the Peak District National Park

Getting to grips with maps and compasses is the subject of a series of events for people who want to learn or improve their map reading and navigation skills before heading out to the hills, dales and moors.

Navigation training is being provided by experienced rangers to help people stay safe as they explore the Peak District National Park.

There are events for the complete beginner as well as for people who want to improve their skills and increase their knowledge.

Ranger Jenny Waller explained: “Our navigation training walks are different from our usual guided walks and are a unique way to make the most of exploring the Peak District. They work best in small groups so we can provide the quality of training needed.

“The beginner’s training gives people the basic skills of reading a map and following rights of way without a compass – they learn about basic map symbols, the national grid system, grid references, scales, map types, distances, contours and shapes of terrain. We show people how to orientate themselves by relating what is on the map to where they are on the ground.

“For the intermediate training we show people how to navigate using a compass and explain timing, pacing, compass types, the three Norths, magnetic variation, how to take a bearing and walk on a bearing, right through to advanced techniques including handrailing, attack points and leapfrogging.

“Our aim is to give people the confidence to venture off the tracks and paths and onto open moorland.”

Beginners navigation training:
• Saturday March 19, 10.30am to 4pm, around Macclesfield Forest.
• Saturday May 28, 10.30am to 5pm, at Hayfield, including a strenuous walk of 9 miles on uneven ground.
• Sunday May 29, 10.45am to 4pm, at Derbyshire Bridge , a walk of 3 miles navigating without a compass and mainly using rights of way.

Intermediate navigation training:
• Saturday April 30, 10.30am to 4.30pm, at Grindleford, a walk of 7 miles using map and compass.
• Saturday May 14, 10.45am to 4.30pm, at Edale, a walk of 4 miles using map and compass.

The navigation training events cost £8 per person aged 18 and over, children aged 17 and below go free.

Booking is online for all events with National Park rangers. To make a booking or find out more, go to www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/events.

Money raised from ticket sales is used to help maintain paths and trails in the Peak District National Park.