BMC Strategy: 2025 to 2030

The strategy sets out how we will work to widen access to climbing, hill walking and mountaineering at a time when the mental and physical health benefits of the outdoors have never been clearer.

By 2030, the BMC plans to grow its membership towards 100,000 people, improve access and restoration of cherished landscapes, connect with over 1.5 million people through events and campaigns, and support achievement from first outdoor experiences to world-class performance.

Launched as part of the Moving Together campaign, the Route to Adventure strategy puts access to nature, community wellbeing, skills development and grassroots participation at its core.

Developed over a year of consultation with members and the wider outdoor community, the roadmap sets out practical steps to broaden participation, strengthen skills, safeguard landscapes and build a more diverse and inclusive adventure community.

Paul Ratcliffe, BMC Chief Executive, said: “Our activities can be and are life changing. For many people, walking in the hills or climbing at a local wall is not about performance, it’s about personal challenge, mental health, confidence and feeling part of something bigger. Route to Adventure is about making sure those benefits are available for all, regardless of background or starting point.

“With more people seeking adventure in the hills, on crags and at climbing walls, the BMC is taking responsibility to make adventure accessible to everyone - and to give people the practical skills and confidence to explore safely.”

Protecting access to land and landscapes is a central focus of the strategy, at a time when pressure on green spaces is increasing and the current ‘right to roam’ gives access to just 8% of England. The BMC says that campaigning for responsible access, caring for fragile environments, and supporting community-led conservation will be essential to ensuring future generations can enjoy the outdoors.

The strategy recognises the important role indoor climbing plays as a gateway to outdoor adventure, particularly for younger people and those new to the sport. The connection between grassroots participation and elite performance is underlined, supporting journeys that run from first experiences outdoors to Olympic, Paralympic and world-class competition, as well as mountaineering at the highest level.