Map Navigation
Workshops

If you can navigate with map and compass, you head into nature with more confidence. You no longer depend on signposts or marked routes, you can choose your own walking, hiking or trail running routes, and you know what to do when things don't go as planned along the way. In DE24's map & compass workshops you learn this in Flanders, outdoors and with guidance.

Yes. A smartphone or GPS watch is useful, but batteries run out, signal drops and a small screen gives little overview. A map and compass always work, and if you know how to use them, you can make safe decisions when technology lets you down. DE24's workshops teach you to navigate without GPS.

Map reading and compass use are best learned by practising outdoors, with someone who corrects you. Books and videos give you a first idea, but it's only in the field that everything falls into place. In Flemish Brabant, DE24 organises map & compass workshops in which you immediately put the theory into practice.

In Flanders you can take a map and compass course with DE24, an organiser of navigation races and outdoor workshops. The workshops take place in Flemish Brabant, in the Leuven area. All modules take place outdoors, in small groups.

Yes. DE24's Basic map & compass workshop is designed for people with no prior knowledge: you start from scratch and learn to read a map, use a compass and find your way without GPS. If you already know the basics, you can move on to the Advanced route planning & tactics workshop.

The basics, yes. At DE24 you can take several modules of your choice in one day: theory in the morning, practice in the afternoon and, optionally, practice in the dark in the evening. Afterwards you can keep practising on your own during your walks, hikes or trail runs.

Besides good fitness and the right gear, it's important that you can navigate independently: on a trek or in the mountains, signposting isn't always clear and signal sometimes drops, and in an orienteering race you find your own way to the checkpoints. A map and compass course is good preparation for this. DE24 offers a Basic workshop for the basic skills and an Advanced workshop on route planning and strategy for long tours and races.

Yes. DE24's workshops are designed for walkers and trail runners alike. You learn to navigate with map and compass, so you can plan your own trail running routes and don't depend on a GPX file. For those who take part in long trails or navigation races, there is the Advanced route planning & tactics workshop.

The workshops are taught by Jonathan Billen, founder of DE24, certified mountain walking instructor (Sport Vlaanderen & KBF (Klim- en Bergsport federatie)) and trail running coach (Sport Vlaanderen), with experience in hiking, trail running and navigation races.

The Basic map & compass workshop teaches you the basics of map reading, compass use and navigation, by day and in the dark. It consists of three modules: theory, daytime practice and practice in the dark. The Advanced route planning & tactics workshop is for those who already master the basics and teaches you to make smart, efficient choices during long tours and endurance races. It consists of two modules: theory and practice. Not sure? Then start with Basic.

All modules take place outdoors, including the theory. So dress for the weather, as you would for a walk or trail run. If a workshop can't go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances, your registration is moved to a new date or you can cancel free of charge.

Bring a compass, suitable clothing for walking or running (trail running shoes for runners), something to write with, a pair of compasses (for drawing circles) and a ruler. Also bring a folding stool for the theory sessions and a headlamp for the Basic module in the dark.

No, you don't need to buy a compass in advance. If you don't have one, you can rent or buy a compass from DE24. DE24 works with navigation equipment from the Swedish brand Silva. If you do want to buy your own compass, choose a baseplate compass with a transparent base.

In principle everyone is welcome. Younger children (under 14) can accompany their parents or guardians free of charge. From the age of 14, we consider young people full participants. A perfect complement to the outdoor skills young people learn in youth movements such as the scouts.

Yes. You choose which modules you take. You can do everything in one day or spread the modules over different days. Tip: from 3 modules onwards, you get a 10% discount on a DE24 race.

You register via the form at www.de24.be/en/workshops, where you'll also find the scheduled dates. After registering, you'll receive a payment request. All practical information is sent to you one week before your chosen session(s).