To get started on the Mountain Leader qualification you need to meet the following prerequisites:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You should have at least a year’s worth of experience of mountain walking
• You should have an interest in leading groups in the mountains
• You must be a member of a mountaineering council: BMC, Mountaineering Scotland or Mountaineering Ireland (you can join one when you register if you're not already a member) - find out why

If you can meet all of the above requirements, here's what to do next:

• Create an account on our Candidate Management System or log in if you already have one.
• Register for the Mountain Leader scheme (this costs £65)

Mountain Leader candidate handbook

The Mountain Leader handbook has full details about the scheme including the syllabus and supporting guidance notes.

Llawlyfr yn y Gymraeg:

Do you have additional needs?

Do you have a physical or mental impairment or disability which may require a provider to make reasonable adjustments so that you can take part in a training or assessment course? Find out more.

Not quite right?

If this doesn't sound like the right qualification for you, consider the following:

• Hill and Moorland Leader
• Lowland Leader

You could also read through our 'Which scheme is right for me?' page.

Mountain Leader training lasts for 6 days and will be run by one of our approved providers in one of the key mountain areas of the UK or Ireland.

Before you book onto a Mountain Leader training course, make sure you have done the following:

• You must be registered on the scheme
• You must have recorded a minimum of 20 Quality Mountain Days (ideally on DLOG) which can have taken place at any point (pre- or post-registration)

A variety of cost packages are available for the course depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

Use the Mountain Leader Skills Checklist

This document can be used during or shortly after your training course to help you identify areas of the syllabus that may require attention.

The Syllabus

Mountain Leaders should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered, to a greater or lesser extent, during your six day training course.

• Group management
• 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.

The Mountain Training Association

Join the Mountain Training Association and be part of a community of like-minded people on our schemes. The Association offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders and coaches across the disciplines, as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. You can join the Association at any point after you have registered on one of Mountain Training's leadership/coaching schemes.



Join now

The Book - Hill Walking

Hill Walking has been written specifically for people pursuing Mountain Training's leadership qualifications and it includes essential tips and information for those who wish to lead in the hills as well as being a useful learning aid for recreational walkers. The book is split into three parts: Getting Around in the Hills, The Upland Environment and Group Management. Its functional design with easy-reference pages, striking illustrations and images make this book an indispensable guide to the skills required for summer hill walking.



Buy now

Before you book onto a Mountain Leader assessment, make sure you have done the following:

• You must have attended a Mountain Leader training course (or have been granted exemption)
• You must be familiar with the syllabus
• You must have logged a minimum of 40 Quality Mountain Days in three different regions of the UK and Ireland
• You must have logged at least 8 nights camping, including at least 4 nights wild camping
• 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

The Mountain Leader assessment is 5 days long and includes a two night expedition.

Assessments are run by one of our approved providers and a variety of cost packages are available, depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.



OfQual regulation and Mountain Training England