Walking scheme

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 2024 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.

• Scotland Level 2 training and assessment, 12-14 April 2024 (Bonaly, Edinburgh)
• SWE & LaSER Level 2 training and assessment and social walking, 20-22 September 2024 (Dartmoor)  
• North East - Level 1, Level 2 training and assessment, and social walking, 27-29 September 2024 (Wensleydale, North Yorkshire)
• Scotland Level 2 training and assessment, 4-6 October 2024 (South Newton)
• National Walking Week 2024 - Saturday 19 to Friday 25 October at The Chamois Mountaineering Club, Snowdonia
• Anglia Level 2 training and assessment, and social walking, 1-3 November 2024 (Whiteley Wood, 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?

You can download the booking and information form  for Walking Week 2024 commencing 19 October 2024 in Snowdonia. This form includes everything you need to know including the price, dates and a link to the booking page. 

For courses run by countries and regions, please email your country or region office or follow the links above. For all other course types, please email [email protected] for more information. Financial support is available. 

If you're interested in attending any of these national courses, please email us at [email protected] have any questions.