Discovering the Joy of Navigation on Dartmoor
A shared reflection by Emma Cunis and Verran Townsend on learning to navigate Dartmoor – where ancestral skills, observation, and quiet confidence turn every walk into an act of discovery.
Leading Navigation Training sessions on Dartmoor is always a special experience. Every course is different, shaped by the weather, the terrain, and the mix of people who come together to learn. What I love most is watching confidence grow throughout the day: the moment someone realises they can read the land, match it to the map, and trust themselves to find the way. It’s about more than technical skill, it’s the quiet satisfaction of tuning in to the landscape and seeing it with new eyes.
I’m fortunate to share this experience with Verran Townsend, a mountain walker, author, and potter whose depth of knowledge and calm, reflective approach bring something special to every session. Verran speaks beautifully about what navigation means to him:
“I’m very lucky to work alongside Emma when we run our Navigation Training events on Dartmoor. Each time we head out we go on a journey with those who join us and get to experience the moment when things suddenly make sense for each person. Everyone’s different, and for some it happens quite quickly, while for others it’s a little way into the journey before they have their ‘aha’ moment. And a lovely shared moment it is too, knowing that with their newly found (or refreshed) skills they’ll be off on new adventures, exploring places that they might not have had the confidence to consider venturing to in the past, and perhaps seeing and feeling far more on their walks than they ever had before.
We’re both passing on skills that have been handed on to us by others. For me, it started with my grandfather, and over time has included many other friends and teachers, including mountain guides with lifetimes of experience in the Alps and the Himalayas. Maps and compasses are, of course, involved when we head out with our groups, but so too is an appreciation of the landscape we are travelling through, with the wind and the sun and the sounds around us helping us to find our way too. These skills help to enrich any walk as well as keeping us and those we’re with safe, and they even come in handy when planning a route that’ll bring us to the pub just in time for lunch, or back to our car in plenty of time before it gets dark!
I’m also a potter based in Totnes, Devon, and usually have a pot in my rucksack when I’m out walking. I enjoy the contrast between the stillness of the clay pot when it finds its place in an ever-changing landscape, and post images on Instagram, I hope you enjoy them.”
Verran’s perspective perfectly captures the blend of skill, observation, and joy that makes navigation training so rewarding. Our sessions cover core skills for beginners and those looking for a refresher: reading a map, taking a bearing and walking using waypoints, finding a grid reference, pacing 100 metres, measuring distance and speed, and more. The key to success is simple: practice, practice, practice! Beyond the practical skills, learning navigation opens up the freedom to walk off the beaten track, explore more challenging terrain, and even plan routes that might end at a pub for lunch or back to your car before dusk.
Our recent session was held on a crisp, sunny morning with 11 participants. We split into two smaller groups for a more personalised experience, walking in opposite directions and meeting midway. It was a joy to see everyone engage with the skills, ask questions, and gain confidence in a supportive environment.
We have one more Beginners/Refresher session coming up in November, and next spring we’ll run an Intermediate Day for those who have completed one of our beginner sessions. This longer walk will give participants the opportunity to deepen their navigation skills and explore Dartmoor and beyond in even more detail. Dates and booking details will be announced first in our newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, learning to navigate is more than just a practical ability – it’s a gateway to richer adventures and a deeper connection with the landscape.
