If you are passionate about walking in the UK and Ireland and want to lead groups safely and professionally, the Mountain Training walking leadership awards provide the recognised pathway to do exactly that.
Awarded by Mountain Training, one of the official awarding bodies for outdoor leadership in the UK and Ireland, these qualifications develop the skills, judgement and experience needed to confidently lead organised walking groups across a variety of terrains.
Whether you are a volunteer leader, Duke of Edinburgh supervisor, outdoor instructor or experienced hill walker ready to step up and lead, there is a clear progression route available.
What are the Mountain Training Walking Leadership Awards?
Mountain Training offers five core walking leadership qualifications:
1. Lowland Leader (LL) – for countryside and low-level terrain
2. Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) – for upland, hill and moorland terrain
3. Summer Mountain Leader (SML) – for mountainous and rocky terrain
4. Winter Mountain Leader (WML) – for winter mountainous conditions
5. International Mountain Leader (IML) – for summer and winter trekking outside the UK
Each award prepares you to lead in progressively more challenging environments.
In this blog, we focus on the Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) award.
Hill and Moorland Leader (HML)
The Hill and Moorland Leader qualification prepares and assesses you to lead organised day walks in upland and hill terrain that is:
• More remote than lowland countryside
• Potentially exposed to challenging weather
• Non-mountainous and non-technical (no steep rocky ground)
It bridges the gap between Lowland Leader and Mountain Leader within the Mountain Training pathway.
Who is the Hill and Moorland Leader award for?
This award is ideal for:
• Experienced hill walkers
• Volunteer walk leaders
• Duke of Edinburgh leaders
• Outdoor instructors
• Youth group leaders
• Walking club leaders
Entry requirements
To register:
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must have at least one year of personal hill walking experience
Before attending training, you should have logged 20 quality hill walking days in suitable upland terrain.
What terrain does the Hill and Moorland Leader award cover?
The qualification applies to terrain that meets all of the following criteria:
• Open, uncultivated upland
• Moorland, fell, bog, hill or down
• Non-mountainous (no steep or rocky ground required)
• Remote but escapable to a road or refuge within a few hours
• Potentially subject to hostile weather conditions
What it does not include
• Mountainous or alpine terrain
• Steep, rocky scrambling ground
• Winter conditions involving snow or ice
This makes it ideal for leading in areas that are wilder and more exposed than lowland countryside, without requiring full mountain leadership skills.
Hill and Moorland Leader training course
The training course typically runs over:
• Three days (approximately 30 hours)
• Delivered by an approved Mountain Training provider
During training, you will develop:
• Advanced navigation in open country
• Group management and decision-making
• Hazard identification and risk management
• Route planning skills
• Weather interpretation
• Environmental awareness and access knowledge
• Emergency procedures and incident management
The focus is on building both technical competence and leadership judgement.
Hill and Moorland Leader assessment
After training and consolidation, you can progress to assessment.
Assessment requirements:
• Completion of HML training (or exemption)
• 40 quality hill walking days logged across at least three upland areas
• A valid 16-hour, in-person first aid certificate
The assessment course:
• Three days (30 hours)
• Practical evaluation in real hill terrain
• Ongoing assessment of navigation, leadership and decision-making
You are assessed against the full Mountain Training syllabus and leadership competencies.
What do you gain?
If successful, you earn the Hill and Moorland Leader award, demonstrating that you are competent to:
• Plan safe upland day walks
• Lead groups confidently in hill terrain
• Navigate in poor visibility
• Manage risk and emergencies
• Operate safely in summer conditions across appropriate UK and Ireland terrain
This qualification is widely recognised by outdoor organisations, schools and expedition providers.
Where does it sit in the qualification pathway?
The Hill and Moorland Leader award sits between:
• Lowland Leader – for gentler countryside paths
• Mountain Leader – for steeper, rocky and mountainous terrain
It is the natural next step for leaders wishing to move beyond lowland walking without progressing to full mountain leadership.
Why choose the Hill and Moorland Leader award?
Becoming qualified through Mountain Training:
• Builds confidence and credibility
• Improves safety standards
• Enhances your leadership skills
• Expands where you can legally and responsibly lead groups
• Opens up opportunities in outdoor education and expedition work
If you regularly walk in upland terrain and want to take responsibility for leading others safely, the Hill and Moorland Leader award is the ideal progression.
Ready to start?
If you are already logging hill days and gaining experience, registering for the Hill and Moorland Leader scheme could be your next big step in outdoor leadership.
Invest in your skills. Lead with confidence. Walk with purpose.
Who provides Hill and Moorland Leader qualifications?
Mountain Water Expeditions provides training and assessment courses for the Mountain Training Hill and Moorland Leader award. Mountain Training also provides a list of other approved providers.
If you feel this award may be suitable for your needs, please visit our website.