Hill & Moorland Leader

The Hill and Moorland Leader Award course content is designed to prepare candidates to safely and effectively lead groups on walks in upland, moorland, and hill terrain. The course covers a wide range of key skills, including advanced navigation techniques using a map, compass, and other tools in poor visibility or difficult conditions. It also focuses on group management, leadership styles, route planning, and understanding weather and its impact on hillwalking. Additional topics include emergency procedures, incident management, risk assessment, and knowledge of local flora, fauna, and the environment to enhance the group’s experience. The course encourages candidates to develop sound judgement and decision-making skills to ensure safe, enjoyable, and educational outings in the hills and moorlands. 

Duration: 3-day training course, 3-day assessment course 

Location: CCAT Capel Curig, Snowdonia National Park
CCAT Halton near Lancaster, Lake District & Yorkshire Dales National Park 

Course fee: £40

Eligibility: CFAVs 

Prerequisites: Prior to attend the MT Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) training course, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:  

• You must be at least 18 years old 
• You should have at least a year’s worth of hill walking experience 
• You should have an interest in leading groups in the hills 
• You must be a member (club or individual) of a mountaineering council (BMC, Mountaineering Ireland, Mountaineering Scotland) 
• You must be registered on the Hill and Moorland Leader scheme 
• You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality hill days (ideally these will be recorded on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point pre- or post-registration 

Meeting these requirements ensures that candidates have a foundational level of experience and are ready to build on their skills in a structured training environment.  

Prior to attend the MT Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) assessment, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:  

• You must be at least 18 years old 
• You must have completed a Hill and Moorland Leader training course (or a Mountain Leader training course) 
• You must be familiar with the syllabus 
• You must have recorded a minimum of 40 quality hill days in at least three upland areas of the UK or Ireland 
• You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment 

Course Certification: Mountain Training qualifications are widely recognised throughout the UK and show others that you have reached a nationally accredited standard recognised by:  

• Health and Safety Executive (UK)   
• Health and Safety Authority (Republic of Ireland)   
• Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (UK)   
• Coaching Ireland   
• Ofqual (England)   
• SQA (Scotland)  

Please speak to your detachment or contingent commander if you are interested in attending this course.