Walking scheme

Walking Week 2026 bookings are now open! See how to find out more and book.

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.

We also have a great partnership with the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). You can download our Into the hills booklet (PDF, 14.4 MB) and find out more about adaptive equipment, all abilities walking, understanding maps, identifying hazards, and more.

Additionally, the BMC has a useful OutdoorHer resource hub filled with health and wellbeing support in the mountains. And if you'd like to gain more experience with a variety of walking opportunities, please contact [email protected]. This includes enjoying social walks throughout England, gaining logbook experience, or leading groups with the BMC. 

When are the 2026 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.

• Midlands: level 1 and 2 training and assessment, 6 - 8 March (Whiteley Woods, Peak District)
• North West England: level 1, level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 20 - 22 March  (Guys Farm, Lancashire)
• Cymru: level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 27 - 29 March (Cefn Lea Park, Newown, Powys)
• Scotland: level 1, level 2 training and assessment 10 - 12 April (South Newton)
• South West England & LaSER: level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 25 - 27 September (Dartmoor)
• National HML training course: 26 - 27 September (Stirling and Edinburgh hills, Scotland)(PDF, 60 KB)
• National walking week 2026: Saturday 17 to Friday 23 October at Brathay, Cumbria
• Anglia: level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 13 - 15 November (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. 

Walking Week 2026

This year we will be running HML training and assessment courses and ML training and assessment courses, as well as a range of social walks and skills workshops. Select the options below to find out more:

• Walking courses flyer (PDF, 138KB)
• Walking courses booking page
• Social walking flyer (PDF, 143KB)
• Social walking booking page

Places are limited and bookings will close by the 31 July 2026, so book your place now!

Walking scheme trainer or 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 (PDF, 51.9KB) to find out more about this role.