Our 2-day Hill Skills courses are personal skills courses, accredited by Mountain Training, that will give you the skills and confidence to plan and follow your own walks in the valleys and across the hills of the British Isles, including the Yorkshire Dales and Howgill Fells.

This course is designed for people who are new to the hills, or people who want to build confidence to go beyond the routes they know well. This course is ideal for beginners or people who follow apps. 

NB: This course is NOT assessed, and so you can relax and enjoy two full days of training and learning in the Yorkshire Dales or Howgill Fells.

DO YOU WANT TO…?

• Learn new outdoor skills and improve your confidence
• Learn navigation skills, strategies & decision making
• Understand and visualise contours
• Plan your own walks and not rely on others
• Know how GPS / mapping apps back up your map & compass
• Learn about weather, clothing, equipment and walking skills
• Stay safe on your walks
• Increase your enjoyment of the hills
• Leave feeling inspired and ready to do more
• Connect with other like-minded people

HILL SKILLS

Walking in the hills is a rewarding and exhilarating experience. To stay safe and enjoy your time out on the hills you need some key skills and knowledge to guide you on your way.

From clothing and kit, to weather and route planning we’ll show you how to prepare for your day outdoors. From map skills and navigation strategies to decision making and changing plans whilst on your walk, we’ll show you how to safely follow routes across the dales and hills.

ABOUT THE COURSE

• Introduction to the key skills you need to enhance your enjoyment of the countryside, valleys and hills of the UK
• Practically based within small groups (max. 8 per tutor)
• 2 full walking days learning skills in the Yorkshire Dales

On both days, we will walk beautiful routes in the dales and across the hills whilst looking at various skills along the way at appropriate opportunities. The course will include route planning and preparation, walking skills, weather and seasonal effects, map and compass skills, navigation in the hills, dealing with steep ground, clothing & equipment, environmental knowledge, hazards and emergency procedures.

PRE-COURSE

8 Video Tutorials – unlimited access to our online video tutorials. Watching these videos before the course will allow us more practical time outdoors.

• Weather Forecasts & Conditions
• Route Planning (maps & digital)
• Essential Kit & Looking after Yourself
• Understanding OS Maps & Symbols
• Practical Map Reading
• Navigation Strategies
• Understanding Contours
• How & when to use a Compass

Mountain Training Hill Skills website
Please read through the Hill Skills Course

DAY ONE

9am: Meet at a village in the Yorkshire Dales or Howgill Fells. Discuss the day ahead, course learning outcomes, weather and gear check. 
9:30am – 5pm: Full day’s valley and lower hills walk in the Yorkshire Dales or Howgill Fells, where we go through the key foundational skills for walking from setting the map and navigation skills to what kit to wear and bring and weather forecasts. We usually walk between 6 and 8 miles (10 – 13 km) over the course of the day with between 200m and 500m of ascent and descent, with plenty of rest stops and time to practice skills and ask questions.
5pm: De-brief back at the village
Evening: Route planning exercise for the next day

DAY TWO

9am – 5pm: Full day’s valley and hill walk in the Yorkshire Dales or Howgill Fells, where we go through the key skills for walking up on the hills from compass bearings and contours to the upland environment and safety outdoors. We usually walk further on the second day and cover around 7 to 10 miles (11 – 16 km) with between 300m and 700m of ascent and descent, although this is tailored for each group.
5pm: Course feedback then head home.