Navigation Strategies

In land navigation, “strategy” is just a fancy way of describing how you plan to get from point A to point B. And let’s be real—there’s rarely one single method that works for an entire journey. Most of the time, you’ll mix and match different strategies depending on where you are and what’s in front of you. The navigation strategy you choose will depend on loads of factors—your skill level, weather conditions, the terrain, visibility, your group, the gear you’ve got, and even the time of day. It’s all about adapting to the situation. In this video, we’ll break down some of the most commonly used land navigation techniques, including: • Orienting a map • Collecting and catching features • Terrain association (or recognising features) • Interpreting contour lines • Using slope aspect (the direction a slope faces) • Following a compass bearing • Timing and pacing Chances are, if you’ve spent time walking in the hills, you’re already using some of these methods—even if you don’t know their official names! This guide will help you refine your skills and give you a clearer understanding of how to use them to navigate like a pro.