Hill and Moorland Leader

Posted by Jonathan Garside on 14/07/2008

The Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) award is for leaders of walking groups in non-mountainous hilly terrain, known variously as upland, moor, bog, hill, fell or down.

Such areas are often subject to extreme weather conditions and require an element of self-sufficiency. By progressing through the scheme, award holders will develop the skills necessary to lead walking groups in these areas.

Leaders seeking to take groups into mountain terrain should register for the ML award, although the HML Award can be a valuable stepping stone for those wishing to progress to the ML scheme.

Mountain Training has produced films showcasing their popular leadership awards. The HML film includes interviews with young people on a day out in the Peak district as well as following a HML training course. (The HML was previously called the Walking Group Leader award. Whilst that title is used on the film credits, the film portrays HML courses as they are now delivered).

The Hill and Moorland Leader handbook lays out the award in more detail.

If planning on undertaking the Hill and Moorland Leader Award, first register online for the scheme and then book onto a forthcoming course.

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Anonymous User

31/10/2012

Hi can anyone please help me I studied for an award called the BELA ( BASIC EXPEDITION LEADER AWARD ) some years ago. I've looked through the posts on this page and I can't find any reference to it, at the time the ML summer was the next stage up then the ML winter. I'm guessing things have changed

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Jonathan Garside(author comment)

05/11/2012

The BEL can be thought of as a lowland valley award; the WGL and ML are upland awards. The ML remit includes mountainous terrain, and the WGL remit covers non-mountainous uplands such as Dartmoor, the Peak District and the Cheviots.

More info about the schemes is at www.mountain-training.org

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Anonymous User

27/10/2015

is anyone supporting learnimng disabled clients on low level walks and if so what training /award / insurance should i be looking for i need prices to show the company i work for that its not expensive and i need it to prove my skills on paper .

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Jonathan Garside(author comment)

27/10/2015

You can see the cost for all Mountain Training courses here: http://www.mountain-training.org/find/find-a-course

Whilst I don't know the nature of the disabilities of your clients, you may find the Lowland Leader Award to be suitable for your needs: http://www.mountain-training.org/walking/skills-and-awards/lowland-leader

Get in touch for further advice or go direct to Mountain Training.

Hope that helps

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Anonymous User

21/09/2016

I see you need to have a 16 hour Outdoor First Aid qualification, I've already got a 16 Hour First Aid at Work certificate which is valid. Can I use this or do I have to do an outdoor specific course as well?

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Jonathan Garside(author comment)

21/09/2016

A valid 16 hour First Aid at Work certificate is sufficient for the Hill and Moorland Leader award. You need not undertake a further first aid qualification.

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Anonymous User

13/10/2020

Hi can any one help me
Did an award called the Beta low level hill walking award exist or have I dreamt it up?

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Jonathan Garside(staff comment)

13/10/2020

There was the Basic Expedition Leader award administered by Sports Leader UK. This has now changed its name to Lowland Expedition Leader. There is also the Lowland Leader scheme administered by Mountain Training.

One main difference between the two schemes is the length of time it tales to complete them. The Sports Leader UK scheme is open to people with much less personal experience than the Mountain Training scheme.

As such, Mountain Training's scheme is generally delivered as a weekend training course and a weekend assessment course. The Sports Leader UK requires candidates to commit to a much greater amount of tutored contact time.

You can find out more about the Lowland Leader scheme here:
https://www.mountain-training.org/qualifications/walking/lowland-leader

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Hazel Wallace-Williams

19/07/2021

Hi- can walkers use Sussex Downs walks towards 20 days of logged experience prior to starting hill and moorland leader course? 😊

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Anonymous User

04/04/2022

Hi,
I hold the WGL award and was informed this would changed to the new HML award when it changed.
Are the areas that a WGL can work in standard or do they vary with each county.
My work are saying I can't use my award for Brecon and Dark Peak which I always have done previously and don't know how I can find out why this has changed.

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Jonathan Garside(staff comment)

05/04/2022

The Brecon Beacons and Dark Peak are terrain within the Hill and Moorland Leader scheme and were within the Walking Group Leader as well. The scheme's name change made no change to the terrain definition. I suggest contacting Mountain Training for further clarificaiton if required.

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