Lowland Leader Training & Assessment — Become a Qualified Lowland Leader

Lead groups confidently through countryside and woodland

If you enjoy walking and want to take on responsibility for leading others — whether school groups, community walks, outdoor clubs or volunteering with schemes like Duke of Edinburgh’s Award — the Lowland Leader qualification provides the skills, knowledge and confidence required to lead safe and enjoyable walks in lowland environments.

We deliver Mountain Training’s Lowland Leader qualification as an approved provider.

What the Qualification Covers

The Lowland Leader qualification enables you to lead day walks in lowland countryside, woodland and coastal areas across the UK and Ireland — provided the terrain is non-hazardous (no steep slopes, cliffs or water crossings except recognised bridges), routes follow clear paths/tracks shown on maps and visible on the ground, and walks remain generally within ~3 km of a key access point.

The training covers:

• Leadership and group-management skills for leading others safely.

• Planning and organising walks, including route-planning, map-reading and basic navigation.

• Walking skills, group pacing, awareness of hazards and how to respond to common outdoor incidents.

• Appropriate equipment use and understanding weather, terrain and safety considerations

• Environmental awareness, access and responsible countryside behaviour

Course Structure: Training and Assessment

• Training: a 2-day (minimum 16-hour) course — combining classroom-based learning and practical sessions in the outdoors. Courses are delivered in small groups to introduce the full range of required knowledge and leadership skills.

• Self-practice (Consolidation): During the period between training and assessment, candidates are expected to gain personal experience walking in low level areas. Every opportunity should be taken to practise the skills learned during training and logged using an up-to-date logbook (preferably DLOG) .

• Assessment: a further 2-day (16-hour) assessment during which candidates are assessed against the full Lowland Leader syllabus. On successful completion, you earn the officially recognised Lowland Leader qualification.

Prerequisites for Enrolment/Assessment -

Registration

• You must create an account on the Mountain Training system and register for the Lowland Leader qualification

• Registration fee payable to Mountain Training

Age

• Minimum age to register: 17

• Minimum age at assessment: 18

Experience

• For training:

  • Minimum of 10 quality lowland day walks logged OR

  • Completion of a Mountain Training Hill Skills course

• For assessment:

  • Minimum of 20 quality lowland day walks in a range of terrain types OR

  • 10 quality lowland walks plus a Mountain Training Hill Skills course

First Aid

• A valid first-aid certificate is required before assessment

• Minimum 16 hours, in-person (online-only courses are not accepted)

Who It’s For

The Lowland Leader qualification is suitable for anyone wishing to lead non-mountain walks, including teachers, youth workers, community and volunteer leaders, DofE leaders, walking groups and outdoor clubs, as well as individuals who want to develop their leadership skills in the countryside.

What You’ll Gain

• A nationally recognised Mountain Training qualification for appropriate lowland terrain in the UK and Ireland

• Confidence to plan and lead safe, enjoyable walks

• Core leadership and navigation skills that can support progression to other Mountain Training walking qualifications

• A strong foundation for volunteering or leading organised countryside walks

Further Information

Full details of the Lowland Leader qualification can be found on the Mountain Training website including the candidate handbook and relevant FAQ’s