A two-day beginner navigation course in the French Alps that will teach you to navigate safely on mountain paths.
Join us on this French Alps Two-Day Beginner Navigation Course
Learn to navigate over two days in the spectacular surroundings of the French Alps, and gain an NNAS accredited Bronze Navigator Award too!
Starting at the beginning, we will introduce the map and compass in a series of simple steps. At each stage, the aim is to demystify the process of map reading.
The course covers orientating the map (turning it the right way round), measuring distances, identifying features on the map and on the ground, following a route, and using a compass. We will also teach you what to do if you get lost – it happens to all of us at some point.
At the end of the course, you will be confident using a range of maps in varying terrain. You will have the ability to navigate safely on the paths that traverse these beautiful mountains.
We have courses scheduled in Chamonix this summer and run them elsewhere in the French Alps on request.
French Alps Two-Day Beginner Navigation Course: Itinerary
Day One
Meet the rest of the group for an introduction and ice-breaker exercise over coffee. We then head out for a short walk close to the resort where we introduce using the map. In our two-day beginner navigation course in the French Alp we use a mixture of games and exercises combined with navigating short legs to hone our skills. After lunch, we progress to more challenging tasks and introduce the compass. An evening session covering some essential theory provides an opportunity to socialise with the group over a drink.
Day Two
We will spend the morning in a longer walk, venturing into the mountains. Over a series of navigation legs, you will learn and practice new skills. The afternoon is assessment time, with a chance to test your new knowledge over a circular walk with the group.