Walking scheme
Learn to make an adventure out of walking
Fresh air, beautiful views and good exercise - discover them all with our walking scheme.
Walking with girls is an adventure. Whether you're orienteering through fields or rambling across hills, it's a chance to discover the natural world, exercise and spend time together.
These courses will develop your skills so that you can lead fun walking expeditions that will build girls' and young women's confidence, as well as giving them time out in the open air to think and recharge.
What type of courses are available?
Walking scheme level 1 – will give you the skills and knowledge to take your girls walking in lowland country, including urban and rural environments, nature trails, tracks and paths through local woods, fields and recreational areas.
Walking scheme level 2 – will enable you to take girls on walks in non-mountainous countryside, in areas that are typically no more than 600 metres above sea level.
Walking scheme level 3 – will help you take girls on walks in remote country anywhere in the UK - excluding steep slopes, rocky ground, scree, loose rock and exposed ridges.
Outdoor first aid – 16 hour+ first aid course focused on the outdoor environment, for those who hold level 2 walking scheme and above.
Social walking – complete quality walking days for your logbook, to support you completing and renewing your walking qualifications.
Mountain Training Hill and Moorland Leader Award- requirements for training and assessment are detailed on the linked Mountain Training website. Assessment may be completed through Girlguiding on its own or as well as the level 3 assessment.
A current 16 hour first aid certificate plus 1st response e-learning are required for the HML qualification to remain valid.
Once gained, the Hill and Moorland Leader qualification must be re-validated for use with Girlguiding by the walking scheme technical adviser every 5 years. See qualification renewals in Appendix 1 of the walking scheme book for details.
Mountain Training Mountain Leader - requirements for training and assessment are detailed on the linked Mountain Training website.
A current 16 hour first aid certificate plus 1st response e-learning are required for the mountain leader qualification to remain valid.
Once gained, the Mountain Leader Qualification must be re-validated for use with Girlguiding by the walking scheme technical adviser every 5 years. See qualification renewals in Appendix 1 of the walking scheme book for details.
Check out how these qualifications fit in with the Mountain Training UK qualifications.
Walking scheme CPD
Existing Girlguiding walking scheme and MTUK qualification holders can access a variety of CPD webinars through the learning platform.
When are the 2025 courses running?
Courses run throughout the year, and each course is run by a different provider. Once a course has been organised, we'll provide details on this page.
- Cymru Level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 14 - 16 March 2025 (Cefn Lea Park, Newtown, Powys).
- Scotland Level 2 training and assessment, 28 - 30 March 2025 (Gulabin Lodge, Spittal of Glenshee).
- Midlands Level 2 training and assessment, 4 - 6 April 2025 (Whiteley Woods, Peak District).
- LaSER Level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 19 - 21 September (Dartmoor Activity Centre, Haytor).
- Scotland Level 2 training and assessment, 26 - 28 September 2025 (Bonaly Scout Centre, Pentland Hills).
- North East England Level 1, Level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 10 - 12 October 2025 (Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales).
- National walking week 2025 - Saturday 18 to Friday 24 October at Compass Christian Centre, Glenshee.
- Anglia Level 2 training and assessment, 7 - 9 November 2025 (Whiteley Woods, Peak District).
Countries and regions courses are open to all members – you don’t need to be a member of that specific country or region to take part.
How can I find out more and book?
For courses run by countries and regions, please email your country or region office or follow the links above.
You can download more information about the national walking week commencing 18 October 2025 in Glenshee. If you are interested in attending any of these courses, please email us at [email protected] to express your interest and tell us which course you are interested in.
We will also be running social walking alongside the courses. Watch out for information about how to book in March.
Walking scheme trainer /assessor role
As a walking scheme trainer or assessor you’ll support volunteers to extend their walking skills and gain the confidence and experience to lead groups safely on fun walks or expeditions. You’ll work with others in your country/region to inspire adults and young members to safely enjoy fun walking activities out in the open air, discovering the natural world.
Download our role description to find out more about this role.
Download the walking scheme
The walking scheme is free to download so you can get started right now.