The Mountain Leader scheme was established to promote the safe enjoyment of the hills and mountains. The scheme provides training and assessment in the technical and group management skills required by those who wish to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the United Kingdom and Ireland, other than in winter conditions.
The Mountain Leader scheme offers the opportunity to gain technical competence in leading walkers in the hills and mountains.
Course start date: Sunday 22nd March 2026
Meeting location: 9.30am Rhyd y Creuau (if you want to book a residential place, you can arrive on the 21st Saturday afternoon/evening at 4pm).
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This Mountain Leader training course aims to develop the technical skills, judgements and areas of knowledge deemed necessary to ensure an individual is safe to work within the scope of the award. It does not provide a rock climbing qualification, nor does it cover the skills required for the planned use of a rope. This is a 6 day course (minimum of 60 hours).
Mountain Training aims to inspire, enable and develop people in walking, climbing and mountaineering through the provision of nationally and internationally recognised skills training and leadership qualifications. All Mountain Training courses are quality assured.
Prerequisites for the Mountain Leader training course
Before you book onto a Mountain Leader training course;
- You must be registered on the scheme
- You must have recorded a minimum of 20 Quality Mountain Days which can have taken place at any point (pre or post registration).
Please ensure you have entered your minimum prerequisites in your digital logbook (DLOG) at the time of confirming your place on the training course.
Mountain Leader training course content
The course will cover the Mountain Leader syllabus which includes the following areas:
- Group management and the responsibilities of the group leader
- Navigation
- Access and the environment
- Hazards (including steep ground and rivers) and emergency procedures
- Equipment
- Expedition skills
- Weather
- Background knowledge
Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Mountain Leader Handbook, and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment.
Potential Outcomes
Following training, a course report will be completed. The results you can achieve are:
- Completed: You have attended and completed the training course and met the prerequisite requirements.
- Not yet completed: If for any reason you do not complete the required hours for a course you will receive this result. In all cases an action plan will be discussed and created for you. Providers have up to 21 days to submit a course report, which allows for you to submit further information if necessary, for example if you have not fully met the prerequisite requirements.
Candidates are reminded that attendance on a training course must not in any way be considered a qualification in its own right. This is only achieved by passing the Mountain Leader assessment.
Example Timetable
Sample course programme
Course start date: Sunday 22nd March 2026
Meeting location: 9.30am Rhyd y Creuau (if residential, you can arrive on the Saturday afternoon/ evening).
Day 1
Course introductions and Mountain Training ethos
o Qualification pathways and scope of the scheme
o Course programme
o Outcomes
o Discussion of prerequisites, qualifications and the Expedition Skills Module
o About Mountain Training, the Mountain Training Association and Mountaineering Councils
Introduction to:
o Mountain navigation
o Group Management
o Access and conservation
Feedback
Day 2
Introduction and development of:
o Weather interpretation
o Navigation, walking and route finding in the mountains
o Access and conservation
Feedback
Responsibilities of a Mountain Leader
Introduction to:
o Duty of care and responsibilities
o Principles of safety management
Evening: Night Navigation session
Day 3
Introduction to and development of:
o Simple rope techniques
o Mountain safety and emergency procedures
o Improvised rescue
o Basic searches
o Mountain rescue
Feedback
Day 4
Introduction to and development of:
o Navigation
o Group management
o Leadership strategies
o Hazards of steep ground (with and without a rope)
o Access and conservation
Feedback
Evening
- Expedition planning
Introduction to and development of:
o Route planning
- Expedition equipment and packing
o Food and cooking
Day 5
Mountain Expedition and overnight wild camp
Weather interpretation
Introduction to and development of:
o Navigation
o Group management
o Access and conservation
o Camp craft and associated equipment
Feedback
Evening
- Poor visibility/ night navigation
Day 6
Mountain Expedition
Introduction to and development of:
o Navigation
o Group management
o Access and conservation
o Camp craft and associated equipment
o River crossing
Feedback
Discussion of Digital Logbook (DLOG) and personal action plans for the consolidation period and assessment
The programme is subject to change to make best use of the weather, staffing and venues chosen for the course.
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Picnic Lunch
Before You Attend
Equipment
Please ensure you have the following equipment (this list is not exhaustive):
- Appropriate mountain walking clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Spare clothes (warm layer)
- Rucksack 30-40L and liner
- Walking boots
- Warm hat and gloves or sun hat and sunscreen
- Vacuum flask/water bottle
- Group first aid kit and personal medication
- Compass - recommend a Silva Type 4
- Relevant maps (1:25 000 and 1:50 000) for the area
- Group shelter
- 1 x 30m hillwalking rope
- Climbing helmet
- Head torch + spare batteries
- GPS/Altimeter - please bring along if you have these
- Expedition rucksack 50-60L
- Mountain tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Stove/fuel
- Bowl/cutlery
- Toiletries, Trowel
- Notebook and pen
Please contact the centre to see if equipment can be provided if you are short of something.
Insurance
Mountain Training recommends that you consider personal accident and cancellation insurance. If you already have insurance cover, check that it covers you for the activity you are undertaking.
Access to courses
Mountain Training is committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to courses. If you have a particular need that requires extra assistance, please discuss it with Mountain Training or your provider.
More information can be found here
Sustainable Transport
Mountain Training recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering impact on the environment, and acknowledges the responsibility to take reasonable measures to safeguard the environment for both the present and future generations. We therefore ask participants to consider sustainable transport to access courses.
Opportunities to attend this course
This course is not currently available to book. Dates will follow soon.
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Partnerships
Mountain Training Association - The Mountain Training Association is a membership community that provide members with support and development opportunities, mentoring, resources, workshops and events to help those working towards their qualification, and keep skills and knowledge current for those already qualified.
British Mountaineering Council - The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the national representative body for England and Wales that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.
