Hill Walking Skills Course

Strangford Lough Activity Centre currently offer two hill walking skills & techniques courses. Our Hill Skills – Mountain Confidence course is ideal for beginners – infrequent mountain visitors who want to gain confidence to explore on their own. Following on from that we offer Hill Skills – Into the Night where participants will get a feel for navigating in the dark.

Hill Skills – Mountain Confidence

Explore the Mournes Day Walk – moderate difficulty

Improve your Hill Walking Skills with our Mountain Leader and gain confidence to explore the outdoors at your leisure. This is a great opportunity to see the Mournes in a different light. Whilst there are no big summits to bag here, you will learn how to be self reliant in the hills and explore the lesser-spotted parts of the Mourne Mountains.

Meeting at Carrick Little, our Mountain Leader & tour guide will talk through equipment, clothing and introduce some map skills before starting the day’s hike. The route will take you up towards Blue Lough, Explore Percy Bysshe, onto Cove Cave before an opportunity to dip your toes in the Annalong River before returning to the car park. Nb. route choice can change due to weather. Limited Numbers, book early to avoid disappointment.

Please note, this is a non certified skills course run by an experienced and qualified Mountain leader to help you gain the necessary skills to explore at your leisure.

Hill Walking Skills

What’s Involved

• Navigation – Map & Compass provided
• Safety – Shelters, Emergencies
• Relocation Techniques
• Pacing & Timing
• Natural History
• Flora & Fauna
• Leave No Trace – Countryside Ethics

What To Bring

• Full Waterproofs (Jacket & Trousers)
• Walking Boots / Approach Shoes / Fell Running Shoes
• Warm mid-layers (plus a spare)
• Medium Rucksack & Waterproof Liner (thick Bin Bag)
• Survival Bag
• Lunch, Snacks, Water, Hot Drink
• Hat & Gloves
• Head Torch
• Hand Sanitiser

Hill Skills – Into The Night

Explore the Mournes Night Walk – Technical

This is a follow on course from our Hill Skills – Mountain Confidence day. The focus is on practicing and developing navigation skills taking in some night navigation.

Meeting at Leitrim Lodge in the early afternoon we will walk into the hills in daylight and out in the dark. This re-creates the very likely scenario of staying out longer than you would expect, which can so easily happen at this time of year. This course is aimed at those with some experience of using a map and compass. If you are unsure of your level please do contact us for advice.

Please note, this is a non certified skills course run by an experienced and qualified Mountain leader to help you gain the necessary skills to explore at your leisure.

Hill Walking Skills

What’s Involved

• Navigation with headtorch- Map & Compass provided
• Developing Timing
• Introducing Pacing
• Following Bearings
• Relocation Techniques

What To Bring

• Full Waterproofs (Jacket & Trousers)
• Walking Boots / Approach Shoes / Fell Running Shoes
• Warm mid-layers (plus a spare)
• Medium Rucksack & Waterproof Liner (thick Bin Bag)
• Survival Bag
• Dinner, Snacks, Water, Hot Drink
• Hat & Gloves
• Head Torch
• Hand Sanitiser

Read our Blog on the Mournes

Hill Walking Skills Course | Skills needed for hill walking | Hill Walking Skills & techniques | Hiking | Mourne Mountains | Navigation | Safety | History | Flora | Fauna | Outdoor Activities