{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp style=\u0022line-height: normal; tab-stops: 342.0pt; margin: 0cm -9.35pt 0cm 5.4pt;\u0022 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: \u0027Arial\u0027,sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EFS120454 (Published October 2024 replacing March 2016)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is Hillwalking?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHillwalking is the movement on foot over hills and mountains. It takes place on a variety of terrain types and in a variety of environments.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is a Hillwalking Permit?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to make sure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for young people. Therefore, all activities classed as adventurous can only be led by someone holding the appropriate permit. Young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits or by holding the appropriate permit to lead others.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA Hillwalking permit is required for all hillwalking activities that take place in Terrain One or Terrain Two. Definitions of these terrains can be found in POR. Hillwalking activities in Terrain Zero do not require a\u003Cbr\u003EHillwalking permit.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ELevels of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are four levels of permit available for Hillwalking. These are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETerrain 1 Summer conditions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETerrain 1 Winter conditions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETerrain 2 Summer conditions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETerrain 2 Winter conditions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDefinitions of summer and winter conditions can be found below.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, each of these permits can be further restricted to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of the individual.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETypes of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are three types of permit available for\u003Cbr\u003EHillwalking. These are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 Allows a young person (under 18) to take part in Hillwalking with others with a personal Hillwalking permit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 Allows the permit holder to lead Hillwalking for a single group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 Allows the permit holder to remotely supervise more than one Hillwalking group.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022WordSection2\u0022\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EPermit Limitations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u2013 \u0026nbsp;If you hold a personal \u0026nbsp;Hillwalking permit you can go Hillwalking with others who hold a personal Hillwalking permit. It does not allow you to go Hillwalking with anyone not holding a Hillwalking permit\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 If you have a permit to lead Hillwalking then you will need to be with your group at all times. Details of group sizes for Hillwalking can be found in POR.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 If you hold a permit to supervise Hillwalking then you can supervise up to three groups remotely. This should be from no further away than 3km if on foot, or 10km if in a vehicle. You should also make sure that adequate systems have been set up to monitor and communicate with the group. You remain responsible for all the groups you are supervising but will need to designate someone with the appropriate skills to be the leader of each group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EDesignations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen remotely supervising groups the holder of a Hillwalking supervisor permit needs to designate a leader for each group. This designation lasts only for the current activity while the permit holder is supervising.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople designated as group leaders should hold the skills and be responsible enough to lead a group safely in the terrain in which they are. There is no problem with making young people group leaders if they have the correct skills, as this can be a useful development tool.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ESupervision\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe total number of people being supervised should always be kept to a manageable level and supervision should be provided in the immediate vicinity of the group. This distance may be increased if travelling between checkpoints by vehicle, however, the risk associated with check-pointing should be a consideration when travelling between checkpoints. You should also make sure that adequate systems have been set up to monitor and communicate with the group. The difficulties of remote supervision should not be underestimated especially under winter conditions with the additional potential hazards associated with reduced visibility and snow-covered terrain.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFurther guidance can be found in the publication Remote Supervision Guidance Notes 2016, covering the supervision of groups operating independently. \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.mountain-training.org/\u0022\u003EAvailable from Mountain Training\u003C/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EFurther Definitions\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWinter\u003C/strong\u003E refers to when winter conditions, including snow and ice, prevail or are forecast. This cannot be defined by a portion of the year. Snow/ice cover is not the only defining feature. Severe cold, high winds and shortened daylight hours should also be considered.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESummer \u003C/strong\u003Emeans any condition not covered under winter.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScrambling\u003C/strong\u003E is defined as those routes or areas where the average person would need to use their hands at least for balance if not for actual progress. This does not stop people from using their hands as an aid to confidence.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETravelling Time\u003C/strong\u003E means the time it would take a person to walk by the quickest safe route; and for this purpose, a person shall be deemed to walk at 5 kilometers per hour and to take, in addition, one minute for every 10 meters of increase in the height above sea level of any uphill section of that route.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EValid First Aid Qualifications\u003C/strong\u003E as required for Hillwalking are defined\u0026nbsp; under \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-97-adventurous-activities-permit-scheme/\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u0022\u003EFirst Aid and First Response\u003C/a\u003E (\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-97-adventurous-activities-permit-scheme/\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u0022\u003EPOR 9a.7.1.9\u003C/a\u003E).\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Hillwalking Assessment Checklist","buttonLink":{"name":"AC120913 Hillwalking, October 2024","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/120leqrv/ac120913-hillwalking-may-2025.docx","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"002f6c","label":"002f6c"},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-97-adventurous-activities-permit-scheme/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u0022\u003ERule 9a.7\u003C/a\u003E Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-98-adult-groups-undertaking-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.8 Adult Groups undertaking activities\u0022\u003ERule 9a.8\u003C/a\u003E Adult Groups in Adventurous Activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9b.4.8 Hill walking permits\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.8\u003C/a\u003E Hill Walking Permits\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9b.4.9 Hill walking safety\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.9\u003C/a\u003E Hill Walking - Safety\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9b.4.7 Terrain Definitions\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.7\u003C/a\u003E Hill Walking Terrains\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9b.4.6 Party Size\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.6\u003C/a\u003E Hill walking party size\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-92-nights-away/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.2.1 Nights Away activities\u0022\u003ERule 9a.2.1\u003C/a\u003E Nights Away\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Rules relating to Hillwalking","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-91-all-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.1 General Activity Rules\u0022\u003ERule 9a.1\u003C/a\u003E All Activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/por/9-activities/rule-96-use-of-external-centres-and-instructors/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors\u0022\u003ERule 9a.6\u003C/a\u003E Use of External Centres and Instructors\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"General activity rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?name=adventure\u0022 title=\u0022Adventure activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?name=adventure\u0022\u003EActivities A-Z\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?category=Adventure\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?category=Adventure\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/hillwalking/terrain-zero-activities/\u0022 title=\u0022Terrain Zero Activities\u0022\u003ETerrain Zero Activities\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/route-plan/\u0022 title=\u0022Route plan\u0022\u003EHillwalking Route Plan\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/emergency-cards/\u0022 title=\u0022Emergency cards\u0022\u003EHillwalking Emergency Card\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETraining and development opportunities are also available through external providers, including skills courses and leadership training provided by Mountain Training UK.\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.mountain-training.org/help/support/scouts/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Scouts (mountain training)\u0022\u003ECheck out our joint infographic to view the routes for skill development\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Find out what hillwalking is, how to get an adventurous activity permit and download our assessment checklist.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"14 July 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