How to Choose the Right Hill & Mountain Walking Skills Course

Whether you're taking your first steps into hill walking or looking to refine advanced mountain navigation techniques, choosing the right course is key to getting the most from your training and developing the skills needed to achieve your outdoor ambitions.

At The Mountaineering Company, we deliver a comprehensive range of mountain walking and navigation courses across Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales, the Peak District and Cannock Chase. Our courses are designed for every level of experience, from complete beginners learning the fundamentals of map reading and mountain safety to experienced walkers seeking to enhance their navigation, decision-making and mountaincraft skills. Our expert instructors will help you build confidence, competence and independence in the hills, whatever your starting point.

Start by Assessing Your Current Experience

The first question to ask yourself is:

"How confident am I when walking in the hills without relying on a phone?"

If the answer is "not very," then a beginner-level navigation course is likely the best starting point. If you're already comfortable using a map and compass but struggle in poor visibility or complex terrain, an intermediate or advanced course may be more suitable.

Being honest about your skill level ensures you'll get the most from your training and build confidence progressively.

For Complete Beginners: Back to Basics Navigation

If you've ever felt unsure about reading a map, taking a bearing, or understanding contour lines, a beginner navigation course provides the ideal foundation.

The Back to Basics Navigation Course focuses on the fundamental skills needed to navigate confidently in the countryside, including map reading, route planning, and an introduction to compass work. Designed as a one-day course, it's perfect for walkers who want to develop essential navigation skills before venturing into more remote terrain.

Best for:

New hill walkers
Duke of Edinburgh participants
Walkers who currently rely on GPS or mobile devices
Anyone wanting a strong navigation foundation

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/hillwalkingcourses/beginner-navigation/

For Developing Confidence in the lowlands: Hill Skills

Many walkers can follow established paths but feel less confident when conditions deteriorate or routes become more challenging.

The Mountain Training accredited Hill Skills Course is designed to bridge that gap. Delivered over two days, it covers navigation, equipment selection, route planning, weather, and decision-making in the hills.

This course is ideal for people who enjoy regular walking in upland areas like the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, etc and want to become more self-reliant.

Best for:

Regular countryside walkers
Beginners moving into upland terrain
Those wanting nationally recognised training
Walkers seeking greater independence

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/hillwalkingcourses/hill-skills/

For Mountain Adventures: Mountain Skills

If your ambitions extend into rugged mountain terrain, the Mountain Skills Course offers a comprehensive introduction to travelling safely and confidently in the mountains.

As a two-day Mountain Training accredited course, it covers planning, navigation using maps and apps, what to wear, how to find route information and what to do in an emergency. You will also undertake some easy scrambling so you can build your confidence on rocky terrain.

Participants leave with a greater understanding of how to plan and execute mountain days safely while developing the confidence needed for independent adventures.

Best for:

Walkers heading into Eryri, the Lake District, or Scotland
Those wanting to gain mountain-specific skills
Individuals preparing for more challenging routes

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/hillwalkingcourses/mountain-skills/

For Improving Navigation: Intermediate and Advanced Courses

Once you've mastered the basics, developing higher-level navigation skills can transform your mountain experiences.

The Intermediate Navigation Course builds upon existing knowledge, helping walkers navigate confidently across more complex terrain and make better decisions in challenging conditions.

For experienced walkers, the Advanced Navigation Course focuses on refining precision navigation techniques often required in poor visibility, featureless terrain, or demanding mountain environments.

Best for:

Experienced hill walkers
Mountain Training candidates
Individuals preparing for leadership awards
Walkers wanting to navigate confidently in poor weather

For Complete Mountain Independence

If your goal is to become fully self-sufficient in the mountains, the Mountain Independence Course offers one of the most comprehensive learning experiences available.

Over three days, participants explore navigation, mountain skills, campcraft, and wild camping techniques while developing the knowledge and confidence required for independent mountain adventures. This is a fantastic course filled with expert advice and guidance from our Instructional team.

This course is particularly valuable for those seeking multi-day mountain experiences away from busy trails.

Best for:

Adventurous hill walkers
Future mountain travellers
Wild camping enthusiasts
Anyone pursuing full mountain self-sufficiency

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/hillwalkingcourses/mountain-independence/

Don't Forget Emergency Skills

Even the most experienced walkers can encounter unexpected situations.

The Emergency Management and Casualty Care Course teaches participants how to respond effectively when things go wrong in the mountains, providing valuable knowledge that could prove critical in an emergency. For anybody heading outdoors, this should be an essential bolt-on so you can deal with anything the hills throw at you.

These skills complement any navigation or mountain skills course and can significantly improve confidence when venturing into remote areas.

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/hillwalkingcourses/emergencymanagement/

Choosing the Right Course for Your Goals

A simple way to decide is to think about where you want to be in twelve months' time:

Want to learn map reading? Start with Back to Basics Navigation.
Want to become a confident hill walker? Choose Hill Skills.
Planning more mountain adventures? Mountain Skills is ideal.
Looking to improve navigation accuracy? Progress to Intermediate or Advanced Navigation.
Aiming for complete self-reliance? Mountain Independence provides the full package.
Want greater safety knowledge? Add Emergency Management and Casualty Care.

Why The Mountaineering Company

Having trained thousands of people over the past decade, we understand just how important those first experiences in the mountains can be. That's why we place such a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality instruction in a supportive, inclusive environment where every participant can thrive and achieve their potential.

Our instructors are among the most experienced and respected in the industry, and we invest heavily in their ongoing development to ensure they consistently deliver the highest standards of training. Regular instructor training, mentoring, and quality assurance processes are embedded throughout our organisation.

It's not uncommon to see members of our senior team observing courses in action, providing support and ensuring that every programme meets our gold-standard approach to instruction. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the feedback we receive from our clients.

Don't just take our word for it. Take a look at our hundreds of five-star reviews and discover why so many people choose The Mountaineering Company for their mountain skills and navigation training.

Explore all of our Hill Walking and Navigation Courses and find the perfect next step for your mountain journey.

https://www.themountaineeringcompany.co.uk/Hillwalkingcourses/