Hill Walking

Scouting aims to develop young people physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually
through activities that offer adventure and challenge.

 

Properly organised hillwalking activities are an ideal way to provide that adventure and challenge in a safe and managed fashion.
Walking is an activity that is accessible to all sections, from Squirrel strolls, through Scout hikes to Explorer and Network King Scout expeditions.

The Scout Association defines Hillwalking as

The movement on foot over hills and mountains. It doesn’t require any specialist equipment such as climbing ropes (although there are occasions when they can be useful) and can take place in varying terrains from gentle slopes and valleys through to wild remote areas. Hillwalking doesn’t have to be about climbing peaks. It can be just as much about enjoying the terrain you are walking in and developing navigational skills.

 

Hill Walking permits are assessed by the Birmingham County Hill/Mountaineering 

 

Birmingham County Scouts Hill Walking page

 

Scouts Association Hill Walking page

 

Terrain Definitions

Terrain 0

Terrain 0 describes terrain which meets one of the following criteria:

a. Meets all the following criteria:

  • is below 500 metres above sea level; and
  • is within 30 minutes travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or another means of summoning help (such as a telephone box); and
  • contains no element of steep ground (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.)

or:

b. Is a road, or path adjacent to a road, on which you would expect to see traffic.

Terrain 1

Terrain 1 describes terrain which meets all of the following criteria:

a. Meets any of the following criteria:

  • is below 800 metres but more than 500 metres above sea level or;
  • is more than 30 minutes but less than three hours travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or another means of calling help (such as a telephone box).

And

b. Contains no element of steep ground (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.)

And

c. Is not a road, or path adjacent to a road, on which you would expect to see traffic

Terrain 2

Terrain 2 describes terrain which meets all of the following criteria:

a. Meets any of the following criteria:

  • is over 800 metres above sea level or;
  • lies more than three hours travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or another means of calling help (such as a telephone box), or:
  • contains an element of steep ground (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.)

And

b. Is not a road, or path adjacent to a road.

Specialist Terrain

When in terrain or using skills that have not been assessed for a Terrain 2 Hillwalking or a climbing permit (such as glaciers, scrambling, via ferrata ), then specific approval is required for the activity from the responsible Commissioner based on advice from someone with knowledge and experience of the activity. Specific approval is in addition to the holding of a Terrain 2 hillwalking or climbing permit.

Such specialist terrain could be considered to be mountaineering terrain rather than hill walking terrain.

Note: Rock climbing is considered a totally separate activity