We provide Bronze and Silver NNAS Navigator Award training and assessment. 

• The Bronze Navigator Award is suitable for beginners or those with some navigation experience.  It is the start of your journey to becoming an experienced navigator.

• The Silver Navigator Award is an intermediate level award suitable for those with some navigation experience.  It will guide you towards becoming an experienced navigator.

The NNAS is recognised by outdoor organisations across the UK and further afield. The Awards are accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 4 and 5 respectively and 2 SCQF credit points are awarded on completion.

If you are not sure which award suits you best, please get in touch and we will guide you in the right direction.

Bronze Navigator Award

The Bronze Navigator course covers the principles of navigation in more detail than our Introduction to Navigation Day and, on successful completion, leads to a nationally recognised navigation award.  It will give you the basic skills and confidence you need to plan and safely enjoy your own walks (or runs or cycle rides) along paths and tracks in the Chilterns and beyond. 

During the course we will cover:

• The basics of navigation

• Maps - different types and scales and interpretation

• Grid references

• Orientating the map using features on the ground and using the compass

• Estimating distance on the map and on the ground

• Understanding contours

• Compass work

• Identify land features and direction of travel

• Navigate using linear features

• Recognising navigational errors and relocating

• Planning and implementing a simple route

• Access rights, responsibilities and the Countryside Code

• Equipment, safety and emergency procedures

The course takes place over two days.

Successful completion of the course gives you the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Bronze certificate.

Silver Navigator Award

The Silver Navigator course will build on your existing map reading and navigation skills (acquired at the Bronze level).  We introduce more advanced techniques to equip you with the confidence, knowledge and technical skills required to safely navigate away from paths and tracks in easily accessed, open terrain. 

During the course we will cover:

• Technical navigation skills, including map and contour interpretation, accurate compass work and route finding

• Using your technical skills to plan and implement navigation strategies to simplify a route, to recognise difficult terrain, and to quickly recognise navigation error and apply relocation techniques

• Knowledge to plan a safe route having regard to factors such as distance and time, weather and appropriate kit and what to do in an emergency

• The background knowledge required to plan a route and to operate at the Silver level safely, legally and responsibly

The course takes place over two days. We also offer a three day option (preferred by many clients). You will also need to research and complete a short ‘home paper’ to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of some parts of the Silver syllabus. This has the added benefit of giving us more time to develop our practical navigation skills.

Successful completion of the course gives you the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Silver certificate.

What do I Need

​Our Navigation training takes place outdoors. You should dress appropriately for active days in the countryside and having regard to the British weather. You will need a small backpack for personal provisions including spare clothing and packed lunch, drink and snacks for the day.

For navigating you will need:

• Map - OS Explorer 171 Chiltern Hills West (we recommend the Active Map in case of wet weather)

• Compass (the Silva Expedition 4 compass is ideal)

• Watch

You may also wish to bring a notebook. An information and advice sheet about the course, including what to wear and what to bring with you is provided on booking.

Fitness Required

Bronze - We will cover a steady 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) each day along paths and tracks through farmland and woodland. You can expect some ascent/descent. A suitable level of fitness would be beneficial.

Silver - You can expect to spend some time walking away from paths and tracks over more demanding open downland and woodland terrain.