Lake District 4 Day Mountain Skills Course
Advanced Navigation, Multi-Day Travel, Wild Camp & Night Navigation
An immersive four-day programme for walkers who want confident navigation, sound decision-making and real experience of multi-day mountain travel. The course includes a remote overnight wild camp and a coached night navigation session, giving you hands-on expedition skills while carrying what you need.
Course details
Course highlights
- Advanced map reading and terrain interpretation in complex fell terrain
- Accurate compass work: bearings, pacing and timing
- Navigation strategies for poor visibility and committing terrain
- Relocation techniques and confidence when unsure of position
- Route planning for multi-day mountain journeys
- Overnight wild camping: campsite selection, campcraft and stove use
- Night navigation: headtorch work, bearings and safe decision-making after dark
Book your place
2026 dates:
4 April · 16 June · 26 September · 16 October
What’s included
- Qualified and experienced Mountain Leader
- Practical instruction and coaching across all four days
- Use of group safety equipment (as required)
- Navigation equipment provided (maps, compasses and map cases)
- Small group size for effective learning and feedback
What’s not included
- Travel to and from the Lake District
- Food for the duration of the course
- Personal hillwalking clothing and suitable footwear
- Wild camping equipment (unless otherwise arranged)
- Personal insurance
Trip details
Overview
This course is designed for walkers with a solid grounding in navigation who want to become more self-reliant in complex mountain terrain, and gain real multi-day experience. You’ll practise skills across a wide range of fell terrain and conditions, refining both technique and judgement.
A key part of the experience is the remote overnight wild camp, where we cover expedition planning, campcraft and kit management, then head out for a coached night navigation session using headtorches and compass techniques.
Who this course is for
- Those who have completed a 2 day Mountain Skills course (or have equivalent experience)
- Walkers looking to develop independence in complex mountain terrain
- People preparing for multi-day routes, expeditions or more remote areas
- Anyone wanting practical experience of wild camping and navigation after dark
Typical course outline
Days 1–2 — Advanced navigation & mountain skills
- Consolidate and develop advanced navigation across varied fell terrain
- Route choice, relocation strategies and decision-making
- Movement in poor visibility and committing terrain (as appropriate)
Days 3–4 — Overnight expedition & night navigation
- Travel through remote mountain terrain with a wild camp overnight
- Campsite selection, campcraft and stove use
- Night navigation practice using headtorch and compass techniques
- Consolidation: planning, executing, checking and correcting on the move
Note: Exact content and locations vary with conditions and group ability.
Meeting point and logistics
- Meeting point: Keswick area (exact details confirmed after booking)
- Fitness: Good general hill fitness required for full days carrying a rucksack
- What to bring: Waterproofs, warm layers, food, drink, headtorch + spare batteries, and suitable footwear
- Wild camp kit: You’ll need an appropriate sleep system and shelter unless otherwise arranged
Equipment and preparation
Navigation equipment is provided (OS maps, compass and map case). You’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Full joining instructions include a detailed kit list and final meeting details.
For personal kit, start with the equipment list. For common questions and extra guidance, see our Mountain Skills FAQs.
FAQs (quick answers)
Do I need to have done the 2-day course?
It’s strongly recommended (or equivalent experience). This course builds on solid foundations and progresses quickly.
Is the wild camp remote?
Yes — the camp is part of the multi-day journey and chosen based on conditions and the group.
Will we definitely do night navigation?
Night nav is a planned part of the course, but the instructor may adjust the exact format to keep it safe and productive.
What people say
Clear coaching and loads of practice time. The overnight camp and night navigation made it feel like a real expedition.
A solid progression from basics to more complex navigation. I finished with a clear system for staying found and making decisions.
Practical, supportive and well structured. The multi-day format helped everything click properly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 5.0 on Google