The Lowland Leader Award is a nationally recognised qualification administered by Mountain Training, designed for individuals who want to lead groups on day walks in lowland countryside and woodland areas. Aimed at those with a passion for walking and sharing the outdoors with others, the award focuses on developing the skills needed to plan and deliver safe, enjoyable walks in non-mountainous terrain. The Lowland Leader Award covers key topics such as navigation, group management, access and conservation, and dealing with emergencies, equipping leaders to guide a wide range of participants on paths and tracks in low-level landscapes.
The Lowland Leader Award course content is designed to provide candidates with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently lead groups on walks in lowland terrain. The course covers a wide range of topics, including navigation using maps and compasses, route planning, group management, and leadership skills. It also addresses understanding weather forecasts and their implications, access rights and conservation, and how to manage hazards and respond to emergencies. Practical sessions focus on creating enjoyable and safe walking experiences, with an emphasis on good practice, environmental awareness, and promoting responsible use of the countryside. The course combines classroom learning with outdoor, hands-on training in suitable lowland environments.
Duration: 2-day training course, 2-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 Lowland Leader Award (LLA) training course, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
- You must be at least 17 years old
- You should have an interest in leading groups in lowland countryside
- Register for the Lowland Leader qualification
- You must have recorded a minimum of 10 quality lowland day walks (ideally these will be recorded on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point pre- or post-registration
OR
- You must have completed a Hill Skills course.
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 Lowland Leader Award (LLA) assessment, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have attended a Lowland Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
- You must be familiar with the syllabus
- You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality lowland days walks in different types of terrain (woodland, coastal, farmland etc) OR 10 + a Hill Skills course
- 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.