Mountain Leader Training Course
The Mountain Leader training course is six days packed full of learning in breathtaking scenery as you learn the skills to prepare you for the best job in the world! The Mountain Leader qualification is the most established scheme in the Mountain Training course structure. Its remit allows the holder to lead mountain walks in summer conditions on any mountain walking terrain within the United Kingdom.
It is specifically aimed at the British mountains, where technical ground and the unpredictability of the weather make our beautiful mountains potentially dangerous and demand competent and confident leaders.
What You’ll Learn
Over the 6 days, the course covers:
- Navigation techniques for good and bad weather and/or at night.
- Group management
- Expedition skills, including expedition planning
- Managing hazards, including security on steep ground
- Access, conservation and wider environmental knowledge
- Emergency procedures
Mountain Leader Training Course Format
We run the course in several different ways to match people’s availability. We split the course into two three–day blocks to reduce the time you might need to take off work. On these split date courses, you need to attend all elements to complete the Mountain Leader training.
Course Environment
The Mountain Leader training course is largely practical in nature, and we are outside every day. We use the evenings that we are not under canvas to cover theoretical aspects and develop a personal action plan that will take you to assessment. We normally start each day at 9 am and are having a cuppa back down in the valley by about 5 pm.
Bespoke Itinerary
We don’t specify exactly what we do each day as a good mountain professional matches the objectives for the day with the weather, the group and other factors. Discussing what we do on a day allows us to explore the important skills of planning and decision making, which you will use every day you are leading in the mountains. We do have the expedition date as fixed, in order for you to book accommodation. When this is depends on which style (split or otherwise) of course you choose.
Split-Course Dates
On a split date course, the first three days are spent in the Peak District and the second set of three days are in N Wales, with two days of expedition in Wales.
The camp is usually on the last night of the training (night five), so you don’t need accommodation (except a tent) for that night.
Detailed guidance notes on the syllabus are available here.
Key Features of a Mountain Leader Training Course with Beyond the Edge
- Cover all aspects of leading groups in the mountains.
- We look at navigation in some detail and include a night camping in a remote mountain location.
- Up-to-date information on current best practice, and swap ideas with other like-minded people and boost your confidence even if you don’t want to work in the outdoors.
- At the end of the course, you will receive detailed feedback on any areas that you may need to improve on, together with a detailed action plan and a realistic timetable for assessment.
Who Is the Mountain Leader Training Course For?
The Mountain Leader training course is for those who want to lead groups in the mountains! It is the highest summer walking leadership award.
Entry Requirements
To participate in a mountain leader training course, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a member of a mountaineering council
- Create an account on the Mountain Training system and register for the Mountain Leader qualification
- Have recorded a minimum of 20 quality mountain days, ideally recorded on DLOG
Why Choose Beyond the Edge?
Beyond the Edge is one of the UK’s most experienced providers of Mountain Training courses, and they are both highly informative and run by hugely experienced trainers. Importantly, in our opinion, they are also fun and run in a friendly manner. We take great pride in the very high percentage of individuals who return for further courses. Our instructors bring decades of professional outdoor leadership experience, including:
- Mountain and expedition guiding backgrounds
- Academic qualifications in management and leadership
- Expertise in developing high-performance teams in challenging environments
Course Details
- Location: Peak District & Eryri
- Cost: £435 per person
- Duration: 6 days
- Ratio: 1:6
- Level: Instructor
More Information
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Course Dates
All Mountain Leader training courses are six days long.
Split date courses 2026:
Fri 11 – Sun 13 Sept (Peak District) & Fri 25 – Sun 27 Sept (Eryri)
Fri 9 – Sun 11 Oct (Peak District) & Fri 16 – Sun 18 Oct (Eryri)
Fri 6 – Sun 8 Nov (Peak District) & Fri 20 – Sun 22 Nov (Eryri)
Split date courses 2027:
Sat 1 May – Mon 3 May (Peak District) & Sat 29 – Mon 31 May (Eryri)
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
If there are two or more of you who want Mountain Leader training, and you would like some different dates or locations, please contact the office, and we will arrange some dates to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
Where you meet depends on which style of Mountain Leader Training course you book on.
Our continuous six-day Mountain Leader training courses meet at Cobdens (accommodation discounts available) in Capel Curig in Eryri (Snowdonia).
Our two-date split Mountain Leader training courses meet for the first three days at the Anglers Rest, Bamford (S33 0DY) in the Hope valley, and for the second block of three days at Cobdens in Capel Curig in Eryri (Snowdonia).
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Equipment Required
For your Mountain Leader training, you will need to bring all the equipment you need for multiple consecutive days in the mountains. Robust footwear and high–quality waterproofs are absolutely essential.
A suggested kit list, together with some top tips and links to gear reviews, are in the joining instructions.
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Recommended Reading
We give a few suggestions below, but a more detailed list, together with a host of helpful links and videos, are contained in our Mountain Leader Training Joining Instructions.
- The Mountain Leader Handbook contains all the details of the syllabus, the remit of the award and a skills checklist. This Handbook can be downloaded from the Mountain Training website.
- The official handbook of Mountain Training’s walking schemes is: Mountain Training handbook – Volume 1. Hillwalking. Steve Long. Mountain Training.
- The BMC have a range of useful articles and a dedicated YouTube channel BMC TV, covering a range of walking issues.
- Mountain Training also have a YouTube channel, which can be found here.
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Fitness Level
For the Mountain Leader training course, you require sufficient fitness to spend 6 days walking, two days of which will be with overnight camping equipment. Regular full days of hillwalking are the best preparation, which also increases your skill level.
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Eligibility
In order to attend a Mountain Leader training course you must meet the requirements listed below. You can however book beforehand and we will help guide you through the process.
- Be registered for the Mountain Leader scheme with Mountain Training before attending a training course. (See below)
- Be at least 18 years old.
- 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). Some answers to frequently asked DLOG questions can be found on the Mountain Training website here.
Registration with Mountain Training
This is relatively straightforward and can be completed online at:
www.mountain-training.org/walking/skills-and-awards/mountain-leader
Here you can also find short videos explaining the award and other useful resources.Please note you must register with Mountain Training specifically for the Mountain Leader scheme, in addition to other schemes you may have registered for.
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Accommodation Options
The Mountain Leader training course is non-residential, allowing you to choose between a thermarest or a 5–star hotel as you require. There are literally thousands of accommodation options in the Peak District and Snowdonia, from luxurious 5–star Spa hotels to campsites and everything in between.
There are lots of accommodation options in the Hope Valley. A variety of these are listed on our Accommodation page.
In Snowdonia, other than our course base at Cobdens, popular options (apart from the club huts) include:
- The Rocks hostel and the Tyn y Coed Hotel in Capel Curig.
- Bryn Llewellyn Guest House in Betws-y-Coed.
- Youth Hostels in Ogwen, Betws y Coed, Pen-y-pass, Llanberis and Nant Gwynant and the Dol Gam camp site, which benefits from being within walking distance of a pub.
- If you are struggling to find something, try Snowdonia Tourist Information or Betws-y-Coed tourist information
If you want a hand booking something or want something special, contact the office, and we will endeavour to assist.
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FAQs
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How do I book a Mountain Leader Training Course ?
The best way to book a Mountain Leader Training course is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options above, and then submit your booking and request an invoice or pay. If your course is under six weeks away, you must pay the full amount.
For bespoke Mountain Leader training courses, get in touch first so we can check diaries and, if required, give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the course include accommodation ?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable for your Mountain Leader training. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel.
On ML training courses one night (normally the last one) is spent in a tent at a remote location, so you don’t need to book that night!
For all split date courses the first session is in the Peak District where we work out of the Anglers Rest, Bamford (S33 0DY) in the Hope valley.
Accommodation options can be found on our accommodation page.
The second session of the split ML Training is in Snowdonia based out of Cobdens hotel in Capel Curig. We cover the expedition phase on the last two days. One night is spent camping in the mountains, so accommodation is only needed for the first night of the three days.
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Children, Parking, Dogs, COVID and everything else...
You will find all of the most frequently asked questions and their answers on our FAQ webpage.
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How Much Does a Mountain Leader Training Course Cost?
To book on a Mountain Leader training course, it will cost from £435 per person. You will also need to register with Mountain Training for an additional £69.
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What Counts as a “Quality Mountain Day”?
A ‘Quality Mountain Day’ (QMD) is an essential element of the Mountain Leader course. It is defined as a demanding excursion undertaken in mountainous terrain in the UK or Ireland. A QMD must provide both physical and mental challenges, in addition to meeting the following criteria:
- Exploring an unfamiliar locality
- Taking part in planning and leadership
- Ascension of a mountain
- The use of navigation skills
- Improved knowledge and practising relevant skills
- Judgement and decision-making are required
- Five hours or more journey time
Do I Need to Complete the Mountain Leader Training Course Before the Assessment?
Yes, you must have completed a Mountain Leader training course before you can book onto an assessment. Once you’ve completed the training course, consider booking onto an assessment course.
