Explore with Confidence: Map Reading & Navigation for Beginners

Explore with Confidence: Map Reading & Navigation for Beginners

Learn to explore with confidence

Have you ever wanted to explore the outdoors but felt unsure about using a map or navigating unfamiliar paths?

This friendly, beginner focused workshop is designed to help you build the confidence and practical skills needed to plan and navigate your own walks safely. Whether you’re completely new to navigation or have always relied on following others, this session will give you a clear introduction to the essentials.

Set within the beautiful landscapes of the Kent Downs near Hucking, this relaxed and supportive event combines a short outdoor learning session with practical navigation practice along the trail. You’ll learn how to read a map, understand the landscape around you, and use simple navigation techniques to move confidently through the countryside.

To make sure everyone gets the most from the session, the group will be kept small. This allows plenty of time for questions, hands on learning, and support as you begin developing these valuable outdoor skills.

This is a fun, welcoming entry level event designed to help you see the landscape differently and leave feeling confident enough to start planning your own adventures.

What we’ll cover:

• Making sense of map scales, symbols, and key features
• A simple introduction to contour lines – what they show and how to read them
• How to find and use grid references to pinpoint locations
• Understanding direction and recognising features in the landscape
• How to orient your map using natural features and a compass
• Planning a safe and suitable walking route based on your ability and terrain
• Identifying straightforward, low-risk paths and avoiding common hazards
• A clear guide to the Countryside Code and knowing where you can and can’t walk
• The basics of weather awareness and how it affects your route
• Choosing the right gear for comfort and safety outdoors
• An intro to useful digital tools, including OS maps and outdoor tech subscriptions.

Overview

We begin in Hucking, near Maidstone, where the workshop starts with an outdoor learning session focused on the fundamentals of map reading and navigation.

Using the surrounding countryside as our classroom, we’ll walk through the key concepts step-by-step so you can see how the map connects to the real landscape around you.

After the introduction, we’ll head out towards the North Downs Way, where you’ll begin putting these skills into practice. Along the route, participants will have the opportunity to take turns navigating short sections of the walk using the map techniques we’ve covered.

There is no pressure, full guidance and support will be provided throughout, making this a relaxed and encouraging environment to learn in.

By the end of the session, you’ll have gained practical experience reading a map, understanding your surroundings, and navigating a simple route, giving you the confidence to start exploring new places independently.

Date: Saturday 1st August
Time: 10am
💷 Cost: £25
Location: Meeting at  Hucking (full details in the booking confirmation email)

📏 Distance: We will walk approx 4 miles at a slower learning pace. This area does have hills.
Food & Drink: Please ensure you have all food you will need and enough water for this walk. We’d recommend 1.5L. We will stop for a lunch so please bring some food with you.
Toilets: There may be toilets along the route but please be prepared for nature breaks (ie a tree!).
Dogs: Well behaved on lead dogs are more than welcome to this event but there will be a fair amount of stopping.

🚶‍♀️ Walk Leader:  I am a fully trained Lowland Leader with a enhanced DBS (available upon request) and trained in outdoor first aid. I am also trained and qualified in nutrition, wellness and female health. MJ Outdoor Adventures is fully insured. Your safety is our priority.