Hill Walking Skills

Dogs are a great companion for a hike in the hills, but here are a few things to think about before taking your pooch for a mooch.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris shows you how to use walking poles.

How to use and care for your mobile phone when on a hike.

Ticks are tiny insects that live in wild country that can carry Lyme Disease. Here are tips on how to avoid and spot the symptoms.

Hydration is crucial on the mountains. Here are some tips to ensure you don't dry out.

Expert advice on the crucial navigation skill of walking on a bearing.

What to do if you need a poo when out on a hike.

Here are some tips on protecting out eyes and sking when we are on a hike.

Water features - rivers, bogs and lakes - are a frequent feature on wild hikes. Here are ways to manage the hazards they present.

Advice on packing your rucksack for hill walking.

Some advice on buying a compass.

Register your phone for the 999 Text Service.

A look at the various rucksacks available for hiking.

What do the contour lines on a map tell us about what lies ahead on our hike? Getting your head around the magic of contours.

What should you look for in hats and gloves? Stay protected with the right gear.

Head torches weigh little but when they are needed they become crucial. Make sure you've got the right one for the job.

Walking poles are a great piece of kit for hiking over rough terrain. They can give us confidence and save our joints. Here are some great tips for their use.

In poor visibility, pacing out your distance may be the key to accurate navigation. See it explained here.

In the unlikely event that something goes wrong on your day out hiking in the mountains, how do you deal with an injury? Advice from the pros.

We are often moving through wild, pristine landscape on our days out. Here are some tips on leaving it that way.

One of the skills of navigation is measuring the distance you move. Here are some great tips on how to do it.

How to use a compass to move in the right direction when out for a hike? Top advice from the experts.

Taking a bearing is an essential skill of navigation. Here are some great tips on using your map and compass to see if you are going in the right direction when on a hike.

Winds can be ferocious on the mountains. Here is some great advice on what to look out for and how to stay safe.

We change how me more over different terrain when we hike. Find out from the experts how we react to different ground to stay safe and confident.

Some advice on managing periods when out on the hills.

Scrambling takes the joy of hiking to more thrilling levels. Scrambles can be difficult and serious. Here is some great insight to help you understand scrambling grades and the effort the require.

Wearing layers of clothes on the hill can help you stay warm, dry and comfortable. Find out how.

On the rare occasion you have an incident in the mountains and need to get help, here are some steps to follow to see things right.

An explanation of the laws around where you are free to walk in England and Wales.

Essential viewing on the risks of ticks, how to get rid of them and the diseases they carry.

The Hill Skills course is all about teaching you some basic skills so that you can be independent and explore our beautiful countryside. You'll learn alongside like-minded people at a pace that's right for you. There is no experience of hill walking required to attend a Hill Skills course because the content of the course is aimed at beginners. If you do have some experience of hill walking but aren’t confident about planning walks, navigating and understanding the equipment required, then the Hill Skills course is an ideal way to learn. The course cover all the essentials including map reading and emergency procedures (such as what to do if you get lost) as well as giving you plenty of opportunity to plan your own walk and practice what you've learned.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris shows us how to take a compass bearing.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris shows us how to take a grid reference.

In this episode Chris shows us how to safely use a GPS device when out hill walking.

In this episode Chris shows us what you should pack in your rucksack in case of an emergency out in the hills.

In this episode Chris shows us what you should do in case of an emergency out in the hills.

In this episode Chris discusses different types of jacket and their suitability for different conditions.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris talks about the different kinds of footwear available for hill walking.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris shows us how to pack a rucksack. One of the world’s most respected experts on long-distance walking and backpacking, Chris Townsend is also the BMC’s hill walking ambassador.

Outdoor writer and photographer Chris Townsend presents this series of hill walking how-to films. In this episode Chris shows us how to use a layering system. One of the world’s most respected experts on long-distance walking and backpacking, Chris Townsend is also the BMC’s hill walking ambassador.