Compass skills are covered in the videos
How confident are you that you can find your way when you head out for a walk?
Walking charity the Ramblers said a fifth of people they surveyed said worry about getting lost was one reason they didn’t go walking.
The organisation has put together a series of short videos to help people build their confidence in route finding when they head into the outdoors or even in urban areas.
A Beginner’s Guide to Navigation is free to access on the Ramblers website and aims to demystify the art of navigation and equip everyone with all the skills they need to get out exploring. There are 17 short, accessible episodes, full of tips, tricks and tactics.
As well as some fundamental techniques, from map reading to compass basics, they also cover a range of practical advice for finding your way in different surroundings.
Mountain Leader Lucy Wallace presents some of the clips
The videos, delivered by Mountain Leaders Sam Knight, the Ramblers Out There Award co-ordinator, and Lucy Wallace, Ramblers Scotland’s vice-president, are simply presented. The Ramblers said: “There’s no need to know your tracks from your trails. These user-friendly tutorials are tailored to cater to individuals with little to no prior experience, making them accessible to everyone.
“It’s not just the weather that poses a challenge; a lack of navigation knowledge can be just as perilous. Finding your way in the great outdoors can be intimidating. A Ramblers study revealed that 21 per cent of people between 18 and 54 cited concerns about getting lost as a reason why they didn’t go out walking.”
Each video is about two minutes long and is structured to guide viewers from the basics of reading a map to more advanced techniques. And the training is not just limited to physical maps – it also covers navigating using your phone. “Jargon free and easy to follow, they’re the perfect preparation for taking your first step out into nature,” the Ramblers said.
Sam Knight also shares hints and skills
Subjects covered include: what are map contours? How to use a compass to line up your map; how to use features to stay on track; and how to use pacing to measure your distance.
A Beginner’s Guide to Navigation is available on the Ramblers website.
