Whether you just want to explore more walks locally, or build the skills to walk in the wilder parts of the UK, the navigational skills you need can largely be learnt close to home.
The Chiltern Hills of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire provide beautiful and varied countryside in which to learn and practise key navigation skills.
My one day courses cater to absolute beginners and intermediate navigators. I can also provide tailor made courses for individuals or groups, as well as running National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Bronze & Silver Award Courses.
Navigation in a Nutshell
Contour Masterclass
The Challenger
The National Navigation Award Scheme provides well-structured courses for anyone who is interested in leading walks and needs or would like a certificate on completion.
These two day / 12 hour certified courses are recognised by schools, DofE organisers, local Ramblers groups and professional walking holiday organisations such as Ramble Worldwide and HF Holidays. They are more than navigation courses as they include training on safety in the hills, weather, walkers and the law, and environmental issues.
On my open courses the maximum group size is four people so I can give you the appropriate attention.
Bronze NNAS Award
Silver NNAS Award
... give you confidence in the great outdoors
For whatever reason, many people feel that they will never be able to read a map. But in this country we are blessed with the most user-friendly maps in the world. A logical progression from the basics to a more sophisticated understanding turbo-charges your confidence level and gives you a skill which will stay with you for life.
... allow you to plan your own routes
When choosing a walk in a new area, many people rely on walks books, recommendations on social media and gps downloads from the internet. But what if you want to break away along the little-trodden paths? If you allow a map to be your guide, the wilder and quieter places are opened up to you.
… bring you closer to nature & the landscape
Unlike any other navigational tools, a map and compass allow you to relate to the hills, valleys and ridges. You may even feel that you become a moving part of the landscape, like a bird surveying all the possibilities.
A one day map & compass navigation course is the perfect gift. It could be for the person who has everything… apart perhaps from the ability always to go the right way, or someone who wants to go further in the great outdoors. Not only is it a fun and interesting way to spend the day, but it will impart skills which last a lifetime.
The ideal birthday, wedding anniversary or Christmas present for everyone who loves the countryside, from absolute beginners to those who want to answer the call of the wild.
Dates and location arranged to suit you. Cost £120 per person for one to one, or £80 per person for two.
Email michael@redkite-navigation.com to book
As recreational walkers we wanted to get a better understanding of navigation to enable us to explore new terrain, safely. Michael’s course offered just that. Michael explained the basics of map reading and how to use a compass. We then headed out in to the Chilterns where we learnt further skills, and practised them. Michael is evidently highly experienced and was a great teacher, he had a relaxed style and let us try everything our at our own pace. We’d recommend this as a great way to get in to navigation.
Frank & Amy, April 2025
They went on a Red Kite Navigation course...
…so we could lead our local Ramblers walks more effectively…. because we needed to be proficient to work for a hiking company… because we were going wild camping in Norway… because we are training to be an eco-guide in Abruzzo… because I’ll be running a marathon through wild country… to brush up my contour skills before my ML assessment…so we could gain confidence in the countryside… because I want to get more out of my walks… because I find GPS navigation restrictive… because using a map and compass is just so much more fun!
They went on a Red Kite Navigation course...
…so we could lead our local Ramblers walks more effectively…. because we needed to be proficient to work for a hiking company… because we were going wild camping in Norway… because we are training to be an eco-guide in Abruzzo… because I’ll be running a marathon through wild country… to brush up my contour skills before my ML assessment…so we could gain confidence in the countryside… because I want to get more out of my walks… because I find GPS navigation restrictive… because using a map and compass is just so much more fun!