Cairngorms Mountain Skills (2 Days)
A practical two-day Mountain Skills course in the Cairngorms following the official Mountain Training syllabus. Build navigation confidence, route planning, mountain judgement, and stronger decision-making in the heart of the Highlands.
- Accredited syllabus
- Meeting in Aviemore
- 15% Gear Discount
- £255 Per Person
A structured accredited course in the Cairngorms
Our 2-day accredited course is designed for walkers who want recognised progression and more depth than a one-day introduction can offer. Over two full days, you build practical mountain skills in real Cairngorm terrain, with time to absorb, apply, and consolidate what you are learning.
We meet in Aviemore and use the Cairngorms as a serious but rewarding training ground for map reading, contour interpretation, route choice, timing, relocation, weather awareness, and safer movement in the hills.
This course follows the official Mountain Training syllabus and qualifies for a Mountain Training certificate on successful completion.
Course details
- ✓ Meeting area: Aviemore / Cairngorm Mountain Resort
- ✓ Duration: 2 full days
- ✓ Price: £255.00 per person
- ✓ Syllabus: Official Mountain Training
- ✓ Accreditation: Mountain Training certificate issued
- ✓ Bonus: 15% Cotswold / Snow+Rock discount
2026 course dates
All Cairngorms Mountain Skills courses run from Cairngorm Mountain Resort on the following dates. Each start date offers 1-day, 2-day, and 4-day options. Prices are £110 for 1 day, £255 for 2 days, and £295 for 4 days.
1-day • 2-day • 4-day courses
£110 • £255 • £295
1-day • 2-day • 4-day courses
£110 • £255 • £295
1-day • 2-day • 4-day courses
£110 • £255 • £295
Course syllabus
This course follows the recognised Mountain Skills syllabus and focuses on practical mountain navigation, safe movement, weather awareness, and real-world decision-making in the Cairngorms.
Day 1: planning, movement & core navigation
We begin with planning principles, map orientation, and feature recognition before applying those skills on the hill in practical Highland terrain.
- Planning and understanding the mountain environment
- Map symbols, scale, and basic map interpretation
- Feature recognition and contour understanding
- Pacing, timing, and judging distance
- Movement skills on varied mountain terrain
- Weather awareness and hazard identification
Day 2: compass work, relocation & safety
The second day develops more precise navigation and stronger mountain judgement, including relocation and safer movement in more serious terrain.
- Using the compass, setting the map, and taking bearings
- Relocation when you are unsure of your position
- Steep ground awareness and safe decision-making
- Emergency procedures and hill incident awareness
- Applying navigation tools under pressure
- Making better mountain decisions as a team or individual
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at walkers who already enjoy hill days and want a more structured, recognised step forward. It suits those wanting stronger navigation, more confidence in poor visibility, and better judgement in bigger terrain.
- Developing hillwalkers wanting a recognised progression route
- People ready to build stronger navigation and mountain judgement
- Walkers preparing for more independent or more serious routes
- Those wanting more than a simple introductory day
Shorter or longer options
The same published dates also offer 1-day and 4-day options. The 1-day course works well as a shorter introduction, while the 4-day course gives you more time for consolidation, broader mountain travel skills, and extra depth.
Most balanced option: the 2-day course is often the best fit for walkers who want recognised progression without committing to a longer block of training.
Dates & booking
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2026 course dates
All Cairngorms Mountain Skills courses run from Cairngorm Mountain Resort on the following dates. Each start date offers 1-day, 2-day, and 4-day options.
- 20 June 2026
£110 • £255 • £295 - 4 July 2026
£110 • £255 • £295 - 3 October 2026
£110 • £255 • £295
Book your 2-day course
Use the embedded calendar above to choose your preferred date and continue with the Mountain Skills | Cairngorms | 2 day option.
1-day courses are £110, 2-day courses are £255, and 4-day courses are £295.
Course essentials
- Meet in the Aviemore / Cairngorm Mountain Resort area
- 2 full practical mountain days
- Full mountain clothing and boots required
- Mountain Training certificate included
- Full joining details sent after booking
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Lake District Mountain Skills Courses
Prefer Lakeland terrain instead? We also run Mountain Skills courses in the Lake District, based from Keswick.
Lake District Mountain Skills (1 Day)
A practical one-day introduction to navigation and hill skills in the Lake District.
View 1-day course
Lake District Mountain Skills (2 Day)
A structured two-day course covering navigation, route planning and mountain safety.
View 2-day course
Lake District Mountain Skills (4 Day)
A longer mountain skills programme with extra depth, night navigation and wild camp elements.
View 4-day course