New for 2026 – You Asked, We Listened, and Now It’s Here
You told us you loved the idea of the Hill & Moorland Leader course — but that three intense days back-to-back could feel too much. Work, family, energy levels, life commitments… it all adds up. You wanted the same high-quality training, delivered in a way that felt more human, more achievable, and more supportive.
So, we’ve changed it. For 2026, Wellness Walks is proud to launch the Hill & Moorland Leader course in a two-weekend format. It’s the same nationally recognised Mountain Training qualification — but with breathing space built in. More time to learn, rest, reflect, and return stronger. Because we believe that learning should empower you, not exhaust you.
Why We Made the Change
At Wellness Walks, we exist to make the outdoors more accessible — not just physically, but emotionally and practically too. We’ve always believed that growth happens best in supportive environments.
When participants told us that three straight days could be too demanding, that is was stopping them from getting a qualification they were more than capable of – well we didn’t see it as a complaint; we saw it as an opportunity to listen and evolve.
The new two-weekend (weekend of training, weekend off, weekend of training) structure means you don’t need to take time off work, scramble for childcare, or face three consecutive early starts. You can arrive each weekend with energy and enthusiasm, take what you learn into your own practice during the week, and return refreshed and ready to build on it.
We don’t think there’s “one right solution” to the complexities of supporting people to get into nature – everyone is unique, so the way we help them should be as varied as possible. Simple..
What the Course Covers
The Hill & Moorland Leader course (run to Mountain Training’s official syllabus) equips you with the skills and confidence to lead groups across upland and moorland terrain in the UK — areas rich in character, navigation challenge and natural beauty, but without the steep and rocky ground of mountain environments.
Across the two weekends, you’ll develop your navigation, leadership, route planning, safety, environmental awareness, and decision-making. The time between weekends gives you the rare luxury to reflect, practise, and deepen your understanding — something previous participants said they’d value most.
Empowerment Through Supportive Learning
We designed this course to remove unnecessary pressure, not to lower standards. Our instructors are some of the best in the UK – experienced, inclusive, and committed to helping every participant succeed — whatever your starting point. We know that people learn best when they feel seen, supported, and encouraged, and our team’s approach reflects that.
This is outdoor learning done differently. We focus on growth, not gatekeeping; confidence, not competition. Whether your goal is to expand your personal walking horizons, guide friends safely, work (or volunteer!) in the outdoors or simply challenge yourself to something new, you’ll find space here to explore, question, and thrive.
Practicalities and How to Join
You’ll need to register with Mountain Training & the BMC before attending, and have a genuine interest in hill walking and be able to log 20 days prior to training (these can be historic, some can be overseas, etc).
We’ll guide you through every step — from registration and logbook requirements to what to bring and how to prepare. We can even offer subsidised accommodation for the weekends.
The course is open to anyone aged 18 + who loves being outdoors and wants to build their skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. Places are limited to keep group sizes small and learning personal, so early booking is advised.
If you’re unsure whether it’s right for you, just reach out. We’ll happily talk it through — no pressure, no jargon, just honest guidance to help you decide if this is your next step.
Below you’ll find a link to the full course details, syllabus etc – booking is at the bottom of the page. If you can’t make these dates use the contact form to get in touch as we may be able to offer others.