Learn. Lead. Inspire.
We’ll help you gain a qualification step off the paths and head out into the hills, moors and fells of the UK
Wellness Walks deliver the official Mountain Training Hill & Moorland Leader qualification.
The Hill & Moorland scheme offers access to a vast range of the UK’s landscapes – candidates are expected to be able to navigate and demonstrate leadership to the same level as Mountain Leaders – without requiring the need for movement on steep or rocky ground.
What's involved??
The Hill & Moorland Leader training course aims to develop the technical skills, judgements and areas of knowledge deemed necessary to ensure an individual is safe to do so.
Key Factors:
- First you must register for the award with Mountain Training – we can assist you with this process. You must be 18+ years old & have a genuine interest in hill walking and the supervision of groups.
- Attend a Hill & Moorland Training course – this is a 3-day course that’ll focus on introducing you to the syllabus & training you in the key skills – leadership, planning, navigation & emergency procedures – but it’ll also include some environmental knowledge, best practice tips & general “how to make it a great day out” tips. There’s an example Training Course Program as a download further down this page.
- Consolidation. This is what makes a great Hill & Moorland Leader – during the period between training & assessment your expected to practice the skills from training & gain more experience – whilst the syllabus says another 20 days we really can’t stress enough that the more days you have the easier assessment will be and the better leader you’ll make!
- Attend a Hill & Moorland Assessment course. This is a 3-day assessment course – but it’s also another excellent learning opportunity – the more you’ve practiced the easier it’ll be – but there shouldn’t be any surprises – you’ll just be given lots of opportunities to demonstrate that you understand the syllabus and scope of the qualification and that you can put the skills from the training course and your consolidation into practice. There’s an example Assessment Course Program further down this page.
- This last one isn’t strictly part of Hill & Moorland Leader – but we can’t issue you a “pass” unless you have attended & completed a 16hr+ Outdoor First Aid course – happily that’s a course we also offer
Where could I use a Hill & Moorland Leader Qualification?
The Hill & moorland leader is able to head off path into areas of open access land – this opens up a huge amount of opportunities to lead people in a range of diverse landscapes. Typically these include:
- Areas often called Dales, Hills, Moors, Fell, the Peak etc – basically areas that do not require movement over steep or rocky mountainous terrain
- Typically such areas are enclosed by well defined geographical or man-made boundaries.
- These areas should typically be able to be exited by a group within 3 hours – either to a road that a standard ambulance could reach or a refuge with a telephone.
Ok – so what’s not included?
- Areas where movement over steep or rocky ground is required.
- Any scrambling.
- Wild-camping.
Who could I use a Hill & Moorland Leader qualification with?
This is a superb award for taking people out onto the moors, away from crowds, making the most of open access. The possibilities with a Hill & Moorland Leader qualification are numerous;
What are some typical uses of the qualification?
- This is an exceptionally popular qualification for people who want to support Duke of Edinburgh award programs.
- The Hill & Moorland Leader qualification is perfect if you want to teach people navigation.
- Gaining the Hill & Moorland Leader qualification is a great way to know you’ve got provable skills to take peer & community groups out into nature safely.
Why are qualifications important?
In the rare & awful circumstance that something were to go wrong on a walk then the leaders competence could be called in to question. Qualifications together with relevant experience (both things the Hill & Moorland Leader scheme can give you) are the gold standard for proving that you are competent to do the thing you’ve set out to do.
It’s often said “we don’t know what we don’t know”. Many many moons ago I did my first qualification just to gain some personal skills – I’ve then spent the last two decades earning a living in the outdoors, having adventures and inspiring others – qualifications made that happen!
Dont just take our word for it....
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What else do I need to know?
Below are links to various documents that should give you all the information we think you need to decide if Hill & Moorland Leader is for you – but as ever – if there’s something you’d like to know that we’ve not covered then we’re happy to have a chat – use the contact us button at the bottom of this page to get in touch.
Book a place on a Hill & Moorland Leader Course
Hill & Moorland Leader Training Courses dates
Below are details of the training courses we currently have dates for. You can either purchase directly (place guaranteed) or get in touch if you wish to discuss anything. Please note places are not reserved until payment is received.
Please note: You must be registered with Mountain Training to attend this course (current cost 2024, £65). You must also meet the course requirements of having logged 20 qualifying walks on to the Mountain Training site (4hr+ walk in Hill & Moorland Terrain) we’re happy to discuss & advise you on this.
Hill & Moorland Leader Assessment Courses
Below are details of the assessment courses we currently have dates for. You can either purchase directly (place guaranteed) or get in touch if you wish to discuss anything. Please note places are not reserved until payment is received.
Course cost is slightly higher than training as the participant to instructor ratio is lower.
Please note you must have logged a minimum of 20 quality days since your training course.