Mountain Leader Training Course | North Wales

Course Info

Mountain Leader courses are delivered by Rob Johnson - Mountain Training Cymru, provider number 1554

A Mountain Leader Training course offers a supportive, friendly, and highly educational experience designed to help you progress confidently through the Mountain Leader scheme and beyond. Mountain Leader courses are delivered by expert instructors who are passionate about creating a welcoming learning environment where you’ll feel encouraged and empowered as you build essential outdoor leadership skills.

calendar Dates Feb - November
Duration Duration 6 Days
Start Location Start Location Snowdonia | Eryri
Instructor Ratio Instructor Ratio 1:6
Skill Level Skill Level H2
Book Today Book Today £440 P/Person

Whether you're aiming to become a qualified Mountain Leader or simply looking to deepen your knowledge of navigation, group management, and mountain safety, a Mountain Leader training course provides the perfect foundation. With small group sizes, personalised feedback, and a focus on real-world experience, This Mountain Leader course is committed to helping every participant succeed through assesement.

Mountain Leader Course Syllabus

  • Group management
  • Navigation
  • Access and the Environment
  • Hazards (including steep ground and rivers) and emergency procedures
  • Equipment and clothing
  • Expedition skills
  • Weather and planning
  • Background knowledge

Detailed information on the above topics can be found in the Mountain Leader Handbook.

 

Mountain Leader Courses

This course is run by Expedition Guide (Mountain Training Cymru, provider number 1554) and delivered by Rob Johnson and Matt Cooper. Rob and Matt have spent many years working in the mountains and absolutely love what they do. They're both passionate about helping instructors grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to become great leaders in the outdoors.

Extras with a Mountain Leader course:

  • Free online Q&A sessions – Ask questions and get advice before or after your course

  • Discounted refresher courses – Perfect for brushing up before assessment

  • Tent and stove hire – Don’t worry if you’re missing kit, we’ve got you covered

  • Resource hub – Access a collection of helpful PDFs, guides, and tips to support your learning journey

A client navigating at night during an ML Training course
Mountain Leader trainees getting ready to navigate into darkness.

Ability Level

The Mountain Leader Training Course is designed for individuals who already have personal experience in the mountains and are ready to take the next step toward leading others. This course builds on your existing skills as a confident mountain walker and prepares you to take on leadership responsibilities in mountainous terrain.

To attend the Mountain Leader Training course, you must meet the following Mountain Training pre-requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old

  • Have at least a year of mountain walking experience

  • Have a genuine interest in leading groups in the mountains

  • Have recorded a minimum of 20 Quality Mountain Days (QMDs)—these can be logged at any time, either before or after registration, ideally using the DLOG system

  • Be registered with Mountain Training for the Mountain Leader scheme – Click here to register

H2 Skill Level
Walking and Scrambling Skills

Some previous hill walking experience required.

SKILL LEVEL KEY - Click here

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not included in the course price, but there are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Click the link below to download our North Wales accommodation guide.

[TMC Accommodation Guide Download]

 

Equipment Hire

If you need a tent or stove, why not hire one from us! For more details about equipment hire please get in touch.

Course Dates
  • COURSE DATE 27-07-2026 DAYS6 COST£440.00 LOCATIONEryri - Snowdonia BOOKING book now
  • COURSE DATE 12-10-2026 DAYS6 COST£440.00 LOCATIONEryri - Snowdonia BOOKING book now
  • COURSE DATE 09-11-2026 DAYS6 COST£440.00 LOCATIONEryri - Snowdonia BOOKING book now
PRIVATE BOOKINGS

Hiring one of our instructors privately is the perfect choice when you’ve got a specific aim in mind, whether it’s to improve your personal skills, have an unforgettable guided experience with a group of friends or tick off an objective you’ve had in your sights for a while.

Click on the link for more details

Click Here

WHY CHOOSE US?

All of our instructors are highly qualified Mountaineering Instructors or Mountain Leaders who take pride in offering engaging - fun courses that will give you the very best chance of achieving your goals. We are also members of Mountain Training, the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and the British Mountaineering Council. Why not check out our google reviews and see what our clients think about us. 

The Mountaineering Company was voted Travellers' Choice on TripAdvisor in 2025 for its consistently high service and 5-star Reviews. 

Google Review
Mountain Training
AMI

Your Instructional Team

Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper
 Mountaineering Instructor, Winter Mountain Leader Find Out More

A QMD is a full day spent in mountainous terrain where you take responsibility for route planning, navigation, and decision-making. These days should involve varied terrain and conditions. They are logged using Mountain Training’s DLOG system.

Yes, you can! A large number of candidates who progress through the Mountain Leader pathway do it for personal reasons so you will be very welcome if you want to attend. 

While you don’t need to be an athlete, a good level of fitness is essential. You’ll be walking for multiple days carrying a full rucksack, often in challenging conditions.

The Training course is the first step, where you learn and practice the necessary skills. The Assessment, taken later, is a 5-day evaluation to test your competence in leadership, navigation, safety, and campcraft in mountainous terrain.

You should have at least a year’s experience of mountain walking and a minimum of 20 Quality Mountain Days. This ensures you have the personal skills needed to benefit from the course.

Testimonials

I've now been on two courses with The Mountaineering company. Both courses were great, learnt loads and Matt/Sam were brilliant instructors. I would definitely recommend to anyone getting into mountaineering to book onto intro and development courses. I'm looking forward to doing more courses with them in the future. (Google Review)

Alex Heaps

My partner and I booked Matt for two days mountaineering instruction so we could learn how to use ropes on climbs that were out of our comfort zone. We had a fantastic two days and Matts structured approach allowed us to take it all in and practice all the techniques over and over again. We both now feel more confident to take on more adventurous scrambles. Thanks Matt

Andy and karren

Fantastic day on the Back to Basics Navigation course with Matt. Very well organised and learnt a lot. Matt was very professional and great at teaching the skills with lots of patience and encouragement. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be signing up to other courses in future. Highly recommended.

Chontelle Wright

A great day out learning how to use a map and compass with Matt. His teaching style gave us just the right amount of information without feeling overloaded. I would highly recommend Matt !

Chris

Just got back from a fantastic weekend with Matt on the Welsh 3k and couldn't have asked for a better time. We had blue skies and cool air so it wasn't too hot and the views were simply incredible. Matt set a great pace allowing us to push our limits but never going beyond what we were capable of and we finished in 18 hours 32 mins. Hes a top bloke and I would certainly recommend him and The Mountaineering Company to anybody. Thanks again Matt. You will certainly see us again next year no doubt!

Chris Mansell

We attended a navigation course today with Matt. He was fantastic, can’t rate him highly enough! We had no knowledge at all, but have come home feeling confident and ready to tackle our adventure! Thank you Matt for a fabulous, fun day

Claire Black

I thoroughly recommend Matt as a leader & guide. I experienced an exhilarating & fun day with a super group doing Matt's Ogwen Classics day. Matt managed our mixed levels of ability & confidence with a calm, encouraging, alert & purposeful manner. He inspired confidence through recognition of our efforts & shared his knowledge & experience to support our skill development. The day passed all too quickly!

Ferne Davies

Awesome day with Matt teaching my 11yr old son and I the basics of climbing. Very patient and approachable would highly recommend Matt to anyone with an interest in rock climbing. Really fun day enjoyed by all!

Ian Roberts

Wow ! Where do I start, the best walking/climbing day of my life. Matt you were fantastic with all the members of our group. (Google Review)

Johnny Jones

All I can say is amazing!! Never scrambled before Matt looked after us supported us though the scary bits and made the whole day brilliant.

Karen Williams

Had a fantastic weekend with Matt on the mountain skills course - he is really friendly + approachable, and tailored the two days to what we enjoyed + wanted to learn. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to build their confidence with mountain hiking + navigation!

Kirsty

Well. What can I say - one of the best adventure weekends my friend and I have ever had and absolutely 10/10 instruction from Matt training us for our first OMM (Google Review)

Luke Whipps

Recently attended an intermediate rock skills course in the Peak District. Really great weekend and excellent fun. Matt is a top bloke; very knowledgeable and just the right amount of laid back. Allows all the information to really sink in - effective teaching!

Matt Pomfrett

Excellent day out with Matt on my first ever Scramble. I found it pretty tough in places but Matt was always there to put me at ease, offer instruction and with his support I made it to the top. Would highly recommend to others.

Polly Hornby

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