Mountain Training Hill & Moorland Leader qualification
Take a look at the Hill & Moorland Leader qualification, so you can decide whether it’s right for you.
Who is it for?
This qualification is ideal for walkers who want to learn the skills required for effective group leadership in the hill and moorland areas of the UK and Ireland. Hill and Moorland Leaders operate in upland terrain (moor, bog, fell, hill or down) that is generally more remote than that used by Lowland Leaders and not as steep or rocky as ground covered by Mountain Leaders.
What does it cover?
Hill and Moorland Leaders should be competent in the following key areas, which will be covered during the three day training course:
- Walking and Route Finding
- Navigation
- Hazards and Emergency Procedures
- Equipment
- Responsibilities of the Leader
- Group Management
- Access, Conservation and Environmental Knowledge
- Weather
How does it work?
Hill and Moorland Leader training lasts for three days and will be run by one of Mountain Training's approved providers in the UK or Ireland. Before you book onto a Hill and Moorland Leader training course, you must have registered on the scheme, and recorded a minimum of twenty Quality Hillwalking Days on appropriate terrain which can have taken place at any point (pre- or post-registration).
FIND OUT MORE: On the Mountain Training website
"I used to be a biology teacher. I only really started walking regularly when I helped out in the walking club that other more experienced staff ran at the secondary school where I taught, and when I joined Clwb Mynydda Cymru, the Welsh Mountaineering Club.
I decided to embark on the Hill & Moorland Leader qualification because wanted to improve my mountaineering skills. Taking part in a scheme means that you complete thorough training (I did the summer Mountain Leader course).
It means that I'm more confident when I volunteer to lead walks with my walking club. I have also recently gained a Wales Blue Badge Tourist Guiding qualification, and by combining the two, it will be possible to lead walks for tourists in the area.
I would advise someone that's thinking about changing their career and lifestyle to be realistic, be practical, weigh the pros and cons, and find your way – and don’t take any notice of your age!"
READ MORE
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
Hill Walking Events
Join us on November 4th for a peer-led walk organized by BMC Peak Area volunteers, in the beautiful Peak District.
Indoor Climbing Skills
All the tips on how to move from indoor climbing to outdoor climbing
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Rock Climbing Skills
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Hillwalking Skills
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.
Hillwalking Skills
How to choose an ice axe for your next winter adventure
Hillwalking Skills
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Rock Climbing Skills
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.
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Rob Johnson explains the essentials of choosing and using your first ice axe and crampons for winter mountaineering.
Hillwalking Skills
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Hillwalking Skills
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.
Hillwalking Skills
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
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!
Hillwalking Gear
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.
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.
Hill Walking
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Mountaineering Learn Gear
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.
Rock Climbing Skills
Climb grade 5 outdoor sport routes, but want to progress? How do you start pushing your comfort zone, and what should you focus on?
Hill Walking News
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.
Hill Walking
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
Hillwalking Skills
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.
Hillwalking Gear
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.
Hillwalking Skills
A look at some of the benefits of poles and how to use them for hill walking.
Hillwalking Gear
Walking boots can be expensive and should last a long time, so this article looks at factors to consider before you buy.
Hillwalking Gear
Points to consider if you're wondering ‘Do I need crampons for walking in winter?’
Hillwalking Skills
Being able to read a map and find your way around the hills is an essential skill for all hill walkers, and practice is the real key.
Hillwalking Gear
A look at types of small, lightweight stoves suitable for hill walking and backpacking trips.
Article
What should you look for when choosing down products? Some factors to consider when investing in new down gear.
Hillwalking Skills
If you’ve enjoyed walking in summer and want to continue through the winter, here are ten things you need to know before you go.