AN INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION - BEGINNERS' WORKSHOP
BOOK NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
FRIDAY 12th to SUNDAY 14th
The Moors to Mountains Introductory Navigation Workshop that took place across April, May and June in the West Pennine Moors, the Lake District and Peak Peak District received a lot of interest. Several enquiries were received from individuals wanting to get out on the hill and improve or even start to learn the very basics of map reading, compass use, route planning and basic relocation skills.
In response to this demand, I have decided to re-format the course and offer new dates in September to take place in the West Pennine Moors.
The workshop sessions are entirely my own content with an itinerary that is intended to provide a springboard for those with little to no navigation experience and open up a path to feeling more confident when on solo or group treks in the great outdoors.
Limited to 6 PARTICIPANTS, 2026 price £149.00 per person.
SEPTEMBER OFFER - £129.00 PER PERSON
HOW'S IT GOING TO OPERATE?
The workshop is formatted as a weekend course set in the West Pennine Moors over varied terrain to provide the best opportunity to develop and practice skills.
A short theory session of around two hours will be held on the evening of Friday 12th September at a suitable venue TBC in the Bolton area. All participants will be expected to attend this class but if travel to the area is a consideration, please contact me before booking to discuss options.
Additional remote support material will be provided.
Saturday 13th is a full day out on the isolated moors around Anglezarke and Belmont. The session will start and finish at the Black Dog Inn, Belmont Village.
Sunday 14th will begin at Turton Tower Woodland Cafe where a short route planning session will be held before heading out on the moors above Turton and Egerton.
Participants should have their own compass, map case and a OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors map.
WHAT AREAS WILL BE COVERED?
Interpreting map symbols and appropriate use of different map scales.
Combining skills to develop sound route finding technique, such as recognising and following handrail features, recognising and utilising collecting and catchment features, using a compass bearing over short distances where paths are not present.
Relocation and navigation using contour interpretation and prominent features on the map at different scales.
How to measure distance on the map at different scales using a compass romer. How to measure distance on the ground using pacing, timing* and aforementioned route finding skills.
Using grid references at different scales.
Route cards and accurate route planning strategy.
Limited to 6 PARTICIPANTS, 2026 price £149.00 per person.
SEPTEMBER OFFER - £129.00 PER PERSON
BEFORE YOU SIGN YOURSELF UP
Participants can expect a lot of discussion and explanation that will involve standing outside on exposed terrain for extended periods.
A slow to moderate pace will be maintained across the course of the day BUT it should be noted that a basic level of hill fitness is required to take part due to the nature of the terrain. Each practical outdoor session will involve up to 8 hours outside, including sections of uneven moorland, bog and hillside slopes.
Groups will be limited to 6 PARTICIPANTS to ensure my full attention and time for everybody in attendance, and the best possible learning experience.
This activity requires sturdy footwear with stiff soles NOT hiking trainers, approach shoes or trail shoes.
The Navigation Workshop is NOT suitable for dogs to attend.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome with a parent or guardian.
The course is structured with a range of information and I want all to go home feeling having learned a new valuable skill set, and feeling that the experience was worth the price that was paid.
Limited to 6 PARTICIPANTS, 2026 price £149.00 per person. SEPTEMBER OFFER - £129.00 PER PERSON
Important details about this specific activity.
On paper, courses for both days are 14km and 10km respectively. However, there will be route finding, relocation practice and lots of time spent discussing technique. As a result, each practical session is expected to take 7 to 8 hours. Concentration and awareness of physical surroundings is required at all times - expect a slow to moderate pace.
It is necessary to have good mobility and a moderate level of fitness to take part in this activity.
There are some steep hill climbs as well as very uneven, boggy terrain. If an individual is for any reason unsure of their ability, please email me via moorstomountains@gmail.com and we can discuss things further before making a booking.
If the walk leader observes a concern with fitness levels of an individual participant,
it may be necessary for that person to return the start of the activity for their own safety, where it is safe to do so.
This activity requires sturdy footwear with stiff soles NOT hiking trainers, approach shoes or trail shoes.
Please refer to the Moors to Mountains Footwear, Clothing and Equipment Requirements.
This activity is NOT suitable for dogs to attend.
Children and young people over the age of 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian by prior arrangement.
Please bear in mind that the activity duration is calculated based on average walking speeds over the types of terrain encountered and previous occurrences of this specific route. The activity may be completed in a quicker or longer time than expected based on individual fitness levels within the group.
As mentioned, it is necessary to have good mobility and a moderate level of fitness to take part in this activity.
It should be mentioned that weather in the West Pennine Moors can be unpredictable at all times of the year and so it isn't possible to guarantee excellent views on every walk. It may be necessary for the walk leader to change the itinerary of the route for safety or other reasons, meaning that is is not possible to included certain advertised objectives.
Unless there is a safety concern posed by the weather forecast, activities will go ahead regardless of conditions.
Please see the Moors to Mountains Terms and Conditions before booking.
Meeting point and transport information.
Friday's theory session will take place at a suitable location in the Bolton (BL) area.
For Saturday, the activity meeting point is The Black Dog Inn, Belmont (BL7 8AB).
On Sunday, the meeting point is Turton Tower, Turton (BL7 0HG).
Participants will be contacted with meeting times and a full itinerary for the weekend.
It is possible to travel to all locations via public transport, albeit with a 30 minute walk on Sunday. Various accommodation in available in the vicinity of Bolton, including camping and B&B's. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Please ask me if you need any advice on where to stay or transport links.
What to expect when booking a professionally
guided activity with Colin from Moors to Mountains.
A friendly and supportive group ethic is promoted on all activities.
It is normal for participants to feel anxious or nervous about joining a guided walk for the first time, meeting new people or just stepping out of their usual comfort zone. This is normal. Please try to remember that other people in the group will likely be feeling the same, and I can assure all participants that they will be making new friends and feeling comfortable in the surroundings in no time.
Knowledge and enthusiasm is shared throughout the activity.
Not only am I here to keep you safe and lead the group, I like to engage all participants in interesting conversation. Whether we are visiting a site with interesting geology and natural features or perhaps somewhere of historic significance, I like to make sure participants go away having learned something new. And as an environmentalist and lover of the outdoors, it is my mission to try and pass on my passion and knowledge to all who sign up to a Moors to Mountains activity.
Safety, motivation and attentiveness is guaranteed.
All Moors to Mountains activities are designed for smaller parties. The number of participants that is allowed will depend on the terrain of each specific activity. Suitable group sizes allow me to give each individual client the maximum attention throughout an activity, whether this is to answer questions, provide some guidance or physical assistance.
My promise is to deliver a high level of care and individual attentiveness to each member of the group.
It is not a race, everybody is here to enjoy the activity!
The benefit of booking onto my activities for small groups for many participants is that the reasonable pricing makes joining a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Leader to be more affordable. However, participants in each group are likely to be of mixed abilities. All participants will move together as a group and support each other throughout the activity. If you are a very fit and fast hill walker and would like to experience more of a physical challenge, I am available for private bookings that may be more enjoyable for you than my usual group activities.
I am qualified and insured, but also experienced in the mountains and hills of the UK.
As your guide, I am a qualified and insured Mountain Leader registered with the British Mountaineering Council and Mountain Training Association. I will only ever operate in areas where I have experience of the terrain and local knowledge. I have also volunteered with my community walking group for since 2011, where I have organised and led innumerable walks and expeditions across the whole of northern England, many areas of Scotland and Eryri/Snowdonia in North Wales. I also have a lot of personal experience in walking, wild camping and completing solo expeditions in these areas.
In that time, I have been lucky enough to spend time out on the hills and mountains with many people of different backgrounds and abilities. This experience has enabled me to develop an extensive knowledge of particular outdoor areas, and a penchant for designing routes that are both scenic and interesting. There are often places of historical or geological interest along the way and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the landscape, history, industry, wildlife and geology.
Once a place has been booked on any activity.
I will personally contact each participant by email with any relevant information to the specific activity. The booking system will email participants a ticket but there is no need to present this when attending an activity. Participants will be sent thorough information and a Participation Consent Form that should be completed in good time before any activity takes place. This will ask for important medical information, important contact details and also request consent for me to give first aid where necessary, take any photographs (or not) and anything else relevant.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you on the activity.
COLIN - MOORS TO MOUNTAINS.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Please fill in this simple form and I can make sure you get priority notification via email with any course updates and details of when booking will go live.
Should you have any specific enquires about the Navigation Workshop, you can email me directly any time at moorstomountains@gmail.com.
It is also possible to conduct one-to-one navigation tuition sessions in the West Pennine Moors, the Lake District or the Peak District. I am happy to discuss your needs and provide a tailored package to suit.