Mountain Leader Assessment

The Mountain Leader is a nationally accredited scheme from Mountain Training designed to train and assess those who want to lead groups on mountains throughout Britain in summer conditions. The scheme has two parts: training and assessment, with a consolidation period between the two. 

Prerequisites for the assessment

• You must have completed a Mountain Leader training course

• You must be familiar with the syllabus

• You must have recorded a minimum of 40 quality mountain days in at least three regions of the UK or Ireland

• You must have logged at least 8 nights camping, including at least 4 nights wild camping

• You must have physically attended and completed (i.e. not online) a first aid course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment
  

The Syllabus

The Mountain Leader covers the following subjects:

• Leader responsibilities

• Leadership and decision making

• Planning and weather

• Hazards and emergency procedures

• Equipment

• Walking skills

• Navigation

• Expedition

• Teaching and learning skills

• Access, conservation and the environment

• Background knowledge

The full syllabus and Scheme Handbook can be viewed on the Mountain Training website here

Assessment courses run over 5 days. 

How do I join?

Make sure you meet the assessment course prerequisites above, then get in touch below to book your place.

Mountain Leader assessment course dates 2025

Our Mountain Leader courses are run mainly in the Mardale area of the Lake District, but we do also offer occasional courses in the Southern Highlands of Scotland.

Places in Green mean the course is guaranteed to run, and have limited availability.

Places in Red mean the course needs more bookings to guarantee that it will run.

24-28 March in Mardale (Lake District). 7 places available.

17-21 May in Braemar area (Scotland). 4 places available.

7-8 & 20-22 June in Mardale and Duddon (Lake District). Split weekend Over 40s Only! 8 places available.

13 - 17 October in Mardale (Lake District). 3 places available.

15-16 & 21-23 November in Mardale (Lake District). Split weekend.  4 places available.

Course Fees

For 2024 our Assessment courses will remain at £465

These courses are not residential, but we send out details of accommodation in each area with your booking confirmation.