Mountain Training have developed two nationally accredited Hill & Mountain Skills courses for novices and improving hill walkers.

Coordinated by Mountain Training, through its network of approved course providers, the courses equip people with the basic knowledge and safety skills required to explore our uplands.

The Hill Skills course has been designed for hill walkers with little or no previous experience. The course covers a practical understanding of the countryside and moorland environment, how to plan walks, familiarity with using maps, the equipment required and also an understanding of the effects of weather and how to deal with emergencies.

The Mountain Skills course is an ideal choice for walkers interested in transferring their walking skills to more mountainous terrain. The course includes skills in map and compass reading, mountain weather forecasting, movement through steep ground, planning and preparation, emergency procedures and the seasonal effects of the mountain environment.

The Hill & Mountain Skills courses are nationally accredited and have been endorsed by Mountain Rescue England and Wales.

'Mountain Rescue England and Wales support any initiatives that seek to develop the personal skills and self-reliance of Hill and Mountain Walkers,' says Mike Margeson, Vice Chairman of Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW). 'We are therefore positive about the announcement by Mountain Training of the launch of their new Hill and Mountain personal skills courses. We are also confident that Mountain Training has an effective quality assurance system in place and courses will be delivered by experienced and approved providers.'

Walking has been identified as a great way to combat inactivity, and the Hill & Mountain Skills courses are an easy way for people to equip themselves with the skills to explore the hills and mountains.

WATCH Hill Skills - learn and explore on BMC TV:

WATCH Mountain Skills on BMC TV:

Find out more about the Hill and Mountain Skills courses,

Book on a course

Download the handbook.

This article is part of a series of articles celebrating Mountain Training’s 50th anniversary year in 2014

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