BMC Hill Walking Programme: 2025 review in numbers

From the rolling trails of the South Downs and the ancient woodlands of the New Forest to the rugged summits of Scafell Pike and the jagged ridges of Tryfan - our routes span every corner of adventure. Each walk is carefully graded from easy to severe, so whether you're just starting out or chasing your next challenge, there's something for you.

The programme has also provided a platform for existing outdoor leaders to continually develop their skills and aspirant leaders an opportunity to upskill and gain experience of group management and group leadership. The 2026 programme will have more of an emphasis on developing skills for adventure. Watch this space!

The programme has now concluded for 2025. Before we pack our maps and dust off our walking boots for 2026, let’s have a run down of how the programme ran in your area.

A look back on the social walks in each area

Lake District

Special thanks to the volunteer walk leaders: Ken Taylor, Liz Jolley, Nicola Merrett, Richard Langthorp, Lloyd Entwistle and Rose Marie Gare-Simmons. Collectively, the Lake District was the most popular area in running walks this year. We had some great

themes too, from geology walks through to red deer rutting walks. High Street, Scafell Pike, Helm Crag and Skiddaw were just some of the epic summits reached and the Lake’s welcomed approximately 90 participants, some of whom was their first experience of hill walking.

Quote from an attendee: “I really enjoyed learning about the geology of the area that I walk in often. I had wanted to know more about this for some time but there is a distinct lack of accessible information on it, or guided walks or even FSC courses. It was so great to have someone so knowledgeable and who made it all so accessible. It was also so great meet other people, especially women interested in a similar topic. I walk in the hills alone often, but it was also great to go on a guided walk knowing, the route was taken care of, and it was safe. The route had also been clearly researched ahead for the features we were looking for which I appreciated.” (Sat 13th September – Lake District, Geology Walk)

North West

Volunteer walk leader, Nick Howard, was the only leader flying the flag for the Northwest, hosting three walks in 2025. Stellar effort Nick! His walks were based around the dramatic views of Rivington with flowing waterways and rolling Lancashire countryside. Nick welcomed approximately 15 participants who managed to experience the beauty of the area he calls home.

Peak District

A special thanks to Mark Royall, Michelle Martin, Linda Moran, Anne Kemp Eyre, Peter Judd, Nancy Banks, Austin Knott and Gordon Riley. The Peak District walks programme has been solid for years; this year was the same story. The Roaches, Fairholmes and the Edale Skyline where just a few of the routes walked and the team of volunteers based in the Peak met 90 participants wanting to explore the majestic beauty the Peak District has to offer.

North East

Lou Feeley is one of our Hill Walking reps and is the BMC’s first ever female hill walking rep. Lou ran several walks in the dramatic landscapes she is luckily enough to call home and has a huge passion for hill walking as a qualified hill and moorland leader. Lou also attends numerous meetings for the BMC and is greatly valued as an instrumental part of the team.

North Wales

BMC Hill Walking Rep for North Wales, Owain Tomos published three walks this year. One was cancelled due to bad weather, but the others celebrated 25 years of the CRoW act becoming legislation, the other was a hard day out across the Nantlle Ridge. Owain started as a Hill Walking rep late in 2025 and has already had a huge impact on his area locally.

Owain said "This was my first social Hill Walking event supporting BMC North Wales. We had an excellent day on the Nantlle Ridge discussing local folklore, Welsh place names and the impacts of industry and tourism on the landscape with some enthusiastic and interesting company - I felt fully supported throughout by Josh and the BMC volunteer team and thankful for the support and encouragement from the BMC North Wales board of directors, I'm looking forward to delivering more Hill walks with similar engaging themes or objectives to help promote hill walking in the local area and ensure fair representation within the BMC's fantastic work.” (Sat 13th September – North Wales, Nantlle Ridge)

Yorkshire Dales

BMC Hill Walking rep Henry Grainger, BMC Walk Leader Ian Pickering and Climbers Against Cancer ambassador Carmine De Grandis have run one walk each in the Yorkshire Dales this year, with Henry supporting other walks where he can. Henry led a great day out summiting Pen y Ghent, one of the Yorkshire three peaks. Ian ran a walk exploring Victoria’s cave and Hoffman Kiln which offered participants a unique glimpse in the rich history the area has to offer. Carmine (mountain accordion man) took his accordion and a bunch of willing carol singers to the summit of Ingleborough to spread Christmas cheer before the holidays, whilst also raising money and awareness for Climbers Against Cancer.

London and South East

Who says you need hills to go hill walking? London, Southeast and the Southwest certainly don’t think so. Wesley McCollugh ran a huge distance route over the rolling terrain of the south down’s way. Jim McCall from affiliated club BMS CMC ran an exciting walk exploring some of the highlights of Dartmoor National Park. A top effort in offering hill walking in some of the less explored parts of the country.

Midlands

The Midlands area has been a focus on exploring the opportunities around supporting clubs offering hill walks as part of their own programmes. Neil Loydon of Wolverhampton Mountaineering Club has been instrumental in getting this idea up and running. Neil and I hope other clubs will see the benefits of bringing new hill walkers into their clubs offering lifelong pathways of adventure.