Do I need qualifications?
A look at when you do, and don't, need hillwalking qualifications, and what training is available for professionals and individuals wanting to improve their skills.
You don't need a qualification to go hill walking. One of the great freedoms that mountain users cherish is the ability to enjoy themselves without the presence of regulation.
It is common for people to walk or climb in groups, with those more experienced sharing their knowledge with those less experienced. In such situations, there is no requirement for anyone to hold a qualification.
What about coaching and leading others?
For people coaching and instructing climbing, hill walking and mountaineering there are thirteen national qualifications for the UK and Ireland and two international qualifications. Qualification holders have demonstrated their competence to work in defined terrains and activities. Holding a relevant qualification is often the easiest way for leaders to demonstrate their competence. However, those not holding a qualification may choose to demonstrate their competence in a different way.
According to the Health and Safety Executive there are four ways for leaders to demonstrate their competence, which are:
- to hold the relevant qualification
- to hold an equivalent qualification
- to have received appropriate in-house training
- to be competent through experience
The National Guidelines for Climbing and Walking Leaders is a very useful document providing advice on good practice for leaders.
Insurance
Individual BMC members, and members of a BMC affiliated club, are covered by the BMC Combined Liability insurance. Such insurance is designed for recreational walkers and climbers, who may sometimes share their knowledge with less experienced mountain users.
However, it does not provide cover to those coaching and instructing in exchange for money or gifts in kind including, for example, free transport. In such situations professional indemnity insurance should be obtained.
Members of the Mountain Training Association and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors can access professional indemnity insurance at better rates than direct from insurance brokers.
If paying for coaching or instruction, ensure that the person or organisation delivering it holds the appropriate insurance.
Activities for under 18s
A range of adventurous activities fall under statutory licensing. Any person or centre providing licensable activities commercially to U18s must hold a licence issued by the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority unless a parent or guardian is accompanying the child whilst the activities are undertaken. This means that their safety and risk assessment procedures have been inspected. It is reasonable to ask a provider which activities they are licensed to deliver and to see a copy of their licence.
READ: Qualifications Explained
Related Content
Hill Walking Events
Join BMC and komoot on a guided hike at Kendal Mountain Festival 2024. If you have a suitable fitness level for the route and value connecting with other outdoor lovers, you’re invited to hike with us!
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a Social Hike in the High Peak delivered by Members of the Rucksack Club on Saturday 30th November 2024
Dringo Dan Do Dysgwch Sgiliau
All the tips on how to move from indoor climbing to outdoor climbing
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Here's what you need to think about when moving together for scrambling and climbing
Rock Climbing Articles
The BMC Incident and Near Miss reporting system helps to promote reflection and effect behavioural change to reduce the potential for future incidents.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Here's a run down of the essentials of using micro gear when climbing
Hill Walking Articles
Snowdonia-based fell running guides Sarah and Ian Ridgway share their top 10 tips for beginner fell runners.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
How to choose an ice axe for your next winter adventure
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A common and false perception of abseiling is that it is an adventure activity that is completely safe. But accidents do occur even in controlled circumstances.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Rob Johnson explains the essentials of choosing and using your first ice axe and crampons for winter mountaineering.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Hill Walking Articles
The best way to prepare yourself for the hills is to get out in the hills. But what if you can only get out once a month? Running guide Sarah Ridgway reveals her secrets to staying fast.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Indoor Climbing Articles
Not sure which training method to choose? Or how to fuel you body? Come along to our new workshop to learn best how to periodise your training, or those you may coach, to greatest effect.
Indoor Climbing Articles
BMC FUNdamentals of climbing 3 is a course developed by Katherine Schirrmacher and Tom Randall.
Indoor Climbing Articles
This workshop is for any climber or coach wishing to further their knowledge of physical training.
Indoor Climbing Articles
If you want to learn about the fundamentals of route setting, then we've got the workshop for you.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Ger
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Indoor Climbing Articles
For all climbing coaches, this workshop is delivered by the BMC, Plas y Brenin, Mountaineering Ireland and the Mountaineering Scotland.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Cerdded Bryniau
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Mynydda Dysgwch Gêr
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Climb grade 5 outdoor sport routes, but want to progress? How do you start pushing your comfort zone, and what should you focus on?
Cerdded Bryniau Newyddion
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
Clubs
This popular training event offers support to experienced club members who take less experienced club members out in winter conditions.
Cerdded Bryniau
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.
Hill Walking Articles
When out for the day it is likely you will need to go to the toilet at some point. Whether it be for ones and twos or refreshing period products, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know to be prepared. Things can get tricky out there so we will run through the ideal options through to the less ideal, but sometimes necessary, options when it comes to toileting. Wherever you can try to focus on what will have the least impact and do as much as possible to leave no trace.
Hill Walking Articles
Menopause is a significant and transformative phase of life. It is a natural biological process during which ovulation stops and periods end. The experience of menopause can be different for each individual and often comes with a wave of physical and emotional changes. In this guide, we will explore the different phases of menopause, common symptoms, and the power of regular movement and exercise to manage symptoms and support good health.
Hill Walking Articles
Christine Cornock shares how she managed her period along the South West Coastal Path multi-day hike.
Hill Walking Articles
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Hill walking in winter covers a spectrum of difficulty and technicality, take a look at winter walking options, and what you’ll need to consider when choosing a route.
Hillwalking Qualification Training
Whether you want a career in the outdoors, or to improve your own personal skills, there are a number of training providers offering courses and instruction.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Ger
This article helps you decide what sort of crampons are suitable for your winter walk, or whether micro-spikes could be an option, as well as discussing the compatibility of crampons to walking boots.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A look at some of the benefits of poles and how to use them for hill walking.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Ger
Walking boots can be expensive and should last a long time, so this article looks at factors to consider before you buy.