> Skip to content
  • Published: 1 July 2010
  • ISBN: 9780753523117
  • Imprint: Virgin Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

The Natural Navigator




Fully updated edition of Tristan Gooley's classic, The Natural Navigator

Starting with a simple question - 'Which way am I looking?' - Tristan Gooley blends natural science, myth, folklore and the history of travel to introduce you to the rare and ancient art of finding your way using nature's own sign-posts, from the feel of a rock to the look of the moon.

In this fully updated edition you'll learn why some trees grow the way they do and how they can help you find your way in the countryside. You'll discover how it's possible to find North simply by looking at a puddle and how natural signs can be used to navigate on the open ocean and in the heart of the city. Wonderfully detailed and full of fascinating stories, this is a glorious exploration of the rediscovered art of natural navigation.

  • Published: 1 July 2010
  • ISBN: 9780753523117
  • Imprint: Virgin Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

About the author

Tristan Gooley

Tristan Gooley set up his natural navigation school, The Natural Navigator, after studying and practising the art for over ten years. His passion for the subject stems from hands-on experience. He has led expeditions in five continents, climbed mountains in Europe, Africa and Asia, sailed across oceans and piloted small aircraft to Africa and the Arctic. He is the only living person to have both flown and sailed solo across the Atlantic. Tristan is a Fellow of both the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Royal Geographical Society and is the Vice Chairman of Trailfinders. He lives with his wife and two sons in West Sussex.

Also by Tristan Gooley

See all

Praise for The Natural Navigator

The Natural Navigator is a wonderfully stimulating book. Tristan Gooley sidesteps technology to celebrate our own powers of observation, and suggests that the art of natural navigation is something we should never have forgotten

Michael Palin

A definitive volume on the subject

Paul Gelder, Yachting Monthly

As Gooley reminds us, navigation is, first of all, about understanding where you are. His marvellous book is a good starting point

Mick Herron, Geographical Magazine

Gooley is a fine writer with a philosophical passion for the subject ... his advice is at times glorious in its simplicity and fascinating in its execution ... his advice is so well structured that even enthusiastic amateurs will find plenty to get to grips with

Laurence Mackin, Irish Times

In a sat-nav dominated world, where GPS and a host of other acronyms designed to get us from A to B have overtaken paper maps, it is refreshing to meet someone who understands technology, but prefers to find his way by practicing the rare and ancient art of using nature’s signposts, from puddle patterns to shadow lengths . . . I’m hooked. Back at the beech, I make a mental note of emerging bluebell patches, forming an internal map that I’ll use to find my way around the wood

Paul Evans, BBC Wildlife Magazine

The best nature writing changes the way you experience the world. Tristan Gooley's The Natural Navigator will teach you how to find your way using not just the moon, sun and stars but spider's webs, tennis courts and even ruts on a track. He throws in entertaining anecdotes from the history of navigation and from his own impressive Atlantic journeys, but really he's giving you an addictive hobby, and a newly refined sense of time and place

The Sunday Times

The perfect book for getting you started on your own adventure

Ranulph Fiennes

This wonderful book takes the skill set back several generations . . . to the vanishing (but often surprisingly simple) arts of navigating by sun, moon, stars, and natural phenomena. . . . A must for any lover of the outdoors

Tim Jepson, The Telegraph

Wonderful... This is the sort of charming and inspiring book you want to recommend and buy for others. A must for any lover of the outdoors

Tim Jepson, Daily Telegraph

You enjoy the walk more if you're trying to spot the little clues rather than look at the map

Evan Davies