Hill & Moorland Leader

Hill and Moorland Leader Award | Upland Walking Leadership Training Ireland

Hill and Moorland Leader Training | HML Qualification | Upland Walking Instructor Course | Moorland Leadership Award

Hill and Moorland Leader – Advanced Walking Leadership Qualification

The Hill and Moorland Leader qualification is ideal for experienced walkers who want to learn the skills required for effective group leadership in the hill and moorland areas of the UK and Ireland. This upland walking qualification is used extensively by those involved with the Irish President’s Award/Gaisce, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, plus many walk leaders and outdoor instructors.

Hill and Moorland Leaders operate in terrain that is generally more remote than that used by Lowland Leaders and not as steep or rocky as ground covered by Mountain Leaders. The terrain covered by this programme is limited to non-mountainous areas (such as upland, moor, bog, fell, hill or down) having no steep or broken ground. The scheme does not provide training or assessment in the skills required to lead others in the mountains or cope with the special hazards of winter conditions.

Hill and Moorland Leader Course Structure

Training Course (3 Days – 30 Hours)

Comprehensive Upland Leadership Development:

• Minimum 3-day intensive training with approved providers
• 30 hours contact time including practical and theoretical sessions
• Maximum 1:6 instructor to candidate ratio
• Progressive skill development from personal to leadership competency

Assessment Course (3 Days – 30 Hours)

Professional Evaluation:

• 3-day practical assessment in varied upland terrain
• Maximum 1:4 instructor to candidate ratio
• Real-world leadership scenarios and group management
• Comprehensive skills evaluation across all syllabus areas

Core Hill and Moorland Leader Syllabus

1. Leader Responsibilities & Legal Requirements

Professional Leadership Standards:

• Group safety responsibilities and duty of care obligations
• Legal requirements for supervising young people and vulnerable adults
• Activity planning and detailed preparation protocols
• Risk assessment and emergency procedures knowledge
• Barrier awareness including disability, ethnicity, and medical conditions

2. Leadership & Decision Making

Advanced Leadership Skills:

• Adaptive leadership behaviours using Vision, Support, Challenge model
• Environmental monitoring and decision adaptation
• Group management and individual needs recognition
• Mountain Training ethos and personal leadership philosophy
• Communication skills and positive feedback delivery

3. Planning & Weather Assessment

Professional Route Planning:

• Hill and moorland terrain assessment and route selection
• Weather forecasting interpretation and condition evaluation
• Group capability matching with terrain difficulty
• Flexible planning and alternative route preparation
• Risk assessment and dynamic safety management

4. Hazards & Emergency Procedures

Comprehensive Safety Management:

• Steep ground recognition and avoidance strategies
• Water hazards including marshes, streams, and flooding
• Poor visibility navigation and weather condition management
• Emergency procedures including first aid and rescue coordination
• Mountain rescue organisation and evacuation procedures

5. Equipment & Technical Skills

Professional Equipment Knowledge:

• Personal and group equipment selection for varied conditions
• Food and nutrition planning for day walks
• Leader equipment requirements and emergency kit
• Equipment maintenance and care protocols
• Weather-appropriate clothing systems and gear selection

6. Walking Skills & Group Management

Advanced Movement Skills:

• Individual walking techniques: pace, rhythm, energy conservation
• Group pace management and fitness level accommodation
• Terrain-specific movement including tussocky ground and heather
• Safety positioning and group supervision techniques

7. Navigation Skills

Expert Navigation Competency:

• Map and compass navigation across complex upland terrain
• Contour interpretation and topographical feature recognition
• Poor visibility navigation including night navigation
• Distance measurement and timing calculations
• GPS technology understanding and limitations awareness
• Rights of way and access information interpretation

8. Teaching & Learning Skills

Educational Leadership:

• Adaptive teaching styles for diverse group needs
• Communication skills and rapport building
• Safety task development and group activity management
• Journey evaluation and outcome assessment
• Individual development and progress monitoring

9. Access, Conservation & Environment

Environmental Stewardship:

• Access legislation including CRoW Act and Land Reform Act
• Conservation knowledge and sustainable practice promotion
• Leave No Trace principles and environmental impact minimisation
• Land management understanding and multiple use awareness
• Flora, fauna, geology knowledge and heritage appreciation

10. Background Knowledge

Professional Development:

• Mountain Training ethos and organisational understanding
• Mountaineering councils and walking clubs knowledge
• UK and Ireland walking traditions and recreational ethics
• Professional development pathways and continuing education

Hill and Moorland Leader Prerequisites

Registration Requirements:

• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Personal experience: 1+ year hill walking experience
• Quality Hill Days: 20+ logged days in appropriate terrain
• Mountaineering council membership: BMC, MI, or Mountaineering Scotland
• Registration fee: €71

Assessment Prerequisites:

• Training completion: Attended Hill and Moorland Leader training
• Experience requirement: 40+ Quality Hill Days in three different regions
• First aid qualification: 16+ hours certified course
• Current membership: Mountaineering council membership required

Terrain Definition & Scope

Hill and Moorland Terrain:

Qualified leaders operate in:

• Open, uncultivated non-mountainous high country
• Upland, moor, bog, fell, hill, or down environments
• Well-defined boundaries within few hours of accessible roads
• No steep or rocky terrain requirements
• Summer conditions only (no snow or ice hazards)

Career Applications:

Professional Opportunities:

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme leaders
• Gaisce/President’s Award expedition supervisors
• Outdoor education instructors and activity leaders
• Youth organisation leaders and walking group coordinators
• Adventure tourism guides and countryside interpretation

Hill and Moorland Leader Training Locations

Our HML courses operate across UK and Ireland’s premier upland areas:

Ireland Training Venues:

• Wicklow Mountains: Sugarloaf, Dublin Mountains, upland moors
• Kerry: Dingle Peninsula hills and moorland terrain
• Donegal: Blue Stack foothills and Inishowen uplands
• Cork: Shehy Mountains and Boggeragh range

UK Training Areas:

• Peak District: Dark Peak moors and gritstone edges
• Dartmoor: Classic moorland and tor landscapes
• Brecon Beacons: Rolling hills and upland valleys
• Scottish Borders: Hill and moorland terrain

Why Choose Our Hill and Moorland Leader Training?

Expert Instruction

• Dr Bren Whelan: WMCI & IML qualified upland specialist
• 30+ years experience in international walking instruction
• Official MTBI approved provider and assessor
• Professional development focus with career guidance

Comprehensive Development

• Progressive skill building from personal walking to group leadership
• Real upland environments for authentic training
• Small group ratios for personalised instruction
• Ongoing support throughout consolidation period

Professional Standards

• Mountain Training Board Ireland (MTBI) approved qualification
• UK and Ireland recognition for professional walking leadership
• Insurance eligible for commercial guiding
• Mountain Training Association membership and development opportunities

Hill and Moorland Leader Investment

Course Structure:

• Registration: €71 (MTBI)
• Training: 3-day intensive course (30 hours)
• Consolidation: Minimum 6 months recommended
• Assessment: 3-day practical evaluation (30 hours)

Experience Development:

• Quality Hill Days: 20+ for training, 40+ for assessment
• Regional variety: Minimum 3 different UK/Ireland areas
• Leadership practice: Group management experience recommended
• First aid: Valid 16+ hour certification

Book Your Hill and Moorland Leader Course

Ready to advance to professional upland leadership? Our Hill and Moorland Leader training provides comprehensive preparation for leading groups safely in UK and Ireland’s hill and moorland environments.

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]

Related Leadership Qualifications:

• Lowland Leader Award (easier terrain)
• Mountain Leader Award (advanced mountain leadership)
• Camping Leader (overnight expeditions)
• Winter Mountain Leader (winter conditions)

The Hill and Moorland Leader Award represents professional competency in upland walking leadership and group management. Develop expertise in navigation, safety management, environmental awareness, and group leadershipwith Ireland’s premier upland training provider.

Keywords: Hill and Moorland Leader, HML Training, Upland Walking Instructor, Moorland Leadership Award, Hill Walking Leader Course, Upland Leader Qualification, Walking Group Leader Training Ireland