Summer Mountain Skills
Navigation and scrambling mountain skills courses.
Comprehensive mountain skills courses accredited by Mountain Training designed to boost your skills and confidence for walking in the mountains in summer conditions.
The course runs over three days, this enables plenty of time to gain new knowledge and to put it into practice. Therefore, ensuring you leave feeling able to continue using these skills independently. They involve a variety of different practical sessions as well as at least one full journey day through the mountains.
Mountain Skills
Do you want to have the skills and experience to confidently explore independently in the hills and mountains? Are you looking to start tackling some of the more challenging Munro’s? If yes, then this is the course for you.
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Boost your skills and confidence for more challenging mountain adventures. Learn how to use a map & compass to navigate, plan routes off the beaten path and route find in complex, pathless terrain. Practice different techniques for moving safely and efficiently over steep, rocky ground. Discover how to improve your strength and balance and how to reduce anxiety on exposed ground. Understand how to make good, safe decisions in the mountains.
The culmination of the course is to put everything learnt into practice to explore one of Lochaber’s classic hillwalking routes such as Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete, The Ring of Steall, The Grey Corries or The Aonachs.
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The course will be based out of Fort William and you will get the opportunity to visit a diverse range of beautiful locations in the local area. Fort William can be reached via public transport and lifts can be arranged from there.
The maximum group size is 6, ensuring plenty of time for everyone to benefit from 1:1 support and guidance. You do not need any previous experience of using maps or compass to participate. You will get the most out of the course if you have a good level of hill fitness and some previous experience of mountain walking.
The three day course costs £235 (£85 deposit payable on booking) per person which includes transport from Fort William if required. It does not include accommodation or food.
Each day will run from approx. 9:00am - 5:00pm. Dependant on weather and route choice.
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Interpreting maps; features, contours, scales and direction
Paper map based navigation techniques
Compass bearings, pacing and timings
Digital navigation aids and their uses
Techniques for moving safely and efficiently over rocky ground
Techniques for ascending and descending steep slopes
Controlling nerves and anxiety on exposed ground
Use of walking poles to support movement
Route finding and decision making through complicated ground
How to plan and what to pack for a mountain day
Understanding mountain weather forecasts
A mountain journey including Munro summits
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Weds 27th - Fri 29th May
Fri 21st - Sunday 23rd August
Mon 7th - Wed 9th September
Weds 7th - Fri 9th October
Fri 13th - Sun 15th November
Bespoke dates available on request. Contact us if you are interested in this course but the above dates don’t suit.
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Wild Roots Guiding are officially accredited to provide this Mountain Skills course through Mountain Training.
You will recieve a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Book Here
If you are keen to join a course but finances are a barrier you may be able to get funding through the Neil Mackenzie Trust. All our skills courses and experiences are eligible for their Outdoor Skills Training Grants. You can find full information on their website and feel free to drop us a message with any questions.
Comprehensive mountain skills courses accredited by Mountain Training designed to boost your skills and confidence for walking in the mountains in summer conditions.
Boost your skills and confidence for more challenging mountain adventures. Learn how to use a map & compass to navigate, plan routes off the beaten path and route find in complex, pathless terrain. Practice different techniques for moving safely and efficiently over steep, rocky ground. Discover how to improve your strength and balance and how to reduce anxiety on exposed ground. Understand how to make good, safe decisions in the mountains.
The culmination of the course is to put everything learnt into practice to explore one of Lochaber’s classic hillwalking routes such as Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete, The Ring of Steall, The Grey Corries or The Aonachs.
2026 Course Dates:
Wed 27th - Fri 29th May
Fri 21st - Sunday 23rd August
Mon 7th - Wed 9th September
Weds 7th - Fri 9th October
Fri 13th - Sun 15th November
For full course details click here
“‘It had everything - expert guidance, a wealth of mountain skills knowledge, challenging terrain, stunning landscapes, and a great bunch of people to spend time with. The course built over 3 days and culminated in an incredible walk to test out all the new skills we learned.”
— Louise Neicho