Training, assessment & FAQs

Walk leaders need to be a minimum of 18 years old. There is no upper age limit as we don’t consider age is necessarily an indicator of the fitness or stamina required to be a leader.

You don’t need any formal qualifications to apply to be a volunteer walk leader. However, you will need to be experienced and skilled in walking navigation and leadership. Successful candidates will then need to achieve their first aid qualification prior to leading their first walk for HF Holidays.

Our volunteer walk leaders need to be able to commit to a minimum of three weeks every two years.

While leading for HF Holidays, you’re insured for accidents resulting in serious personal injury (Personal Accident Insurance). You’re protected by HF Holidays’ Employers/Public Liability Insurance, providing cover in the event of a guest suing for an act of negligence (Employers’ Liability Insurance). All leaders appointed to holidays abroad are provided with travel insurance cover (Abroad Travel Insurance).

Evenings are an integral part of HF Holidays with scheduled activities helping guests enjoy the company of other guests staying at the House. Some evening activities are arranged by the House team; others are hosted by the leaders. These might include a quiz night, a board games evening or running a game of skittles or croquet – whatever you feel comfortable  and confident delivering.

We have 16 country house hotels all around the UK, including Wales and Scotland, and you could potentially lead at any of these, dependent on your level of experience and skills.

The walk leader role is voluntary and therefore not paid. However, we look to ensure our volunteers don’t lose out financially, so you will not be out of pocket when you lead for us. 

Travel expenses are covered when you lead for us. There is also an allowance for wear and tear on your outdoor kit and towards a first aid kit.

Full board accommodation is provided free of charge.

Yes, we do. As a way of saying ‘thank you’ to our volunteers for helping deliver exceptional holidays, we’ve negotiated a range of offers and discounts. This includes holiday discounts and discounts for guests while you're leading with HF Holidays, discounts with various outdoor retailers and discounted courses.

We look to develop our leaders, offering training opportunities and progression. Walk leaders must hold a valid 2-day outdoor first aid qualification, and HF Holidays will cover the cost of acquiring this. We also offer navigation refresher workshops and support our leaders wishing to improve their skills, enabling them to lead in more challenging terrain. Furthermore, all leaders are invited to attend a conference every 3 years, where they receive training and updates on a variety of topics, such as people management, risk assessment and specialist knowledge e.g. geology/wildlife.

It can take anywhere from two months to twelve months between applying, becoming a leader and leading your first guests on an HF holiday.

1. Read the role requirements and decide if volunteer walk leading is right for you
2. Complete an online application form
3. Someone from HF Holidays will be in touch to discuss the role and your application
4. If successful, you’ll be invited to attend a three-night residential Assessment Course
5. If you pass the Course, you’ll join HF Holidays and be eligible to lead for us

We run different levels of assessments (Lowland, Moorland and Mountain) and will assess you against the most suitable level, based on your current navigation and walking experience.

The Assessment Course lasts for 4 days/3 nights at one of our UK country house hotels. You will be in a group of 6-8 candidates. There are various house-based activities, as well as practical outdoor sessions to assess your navigation and leadership skills. Assessments take place among guests enjoying their holiday, so you’ll see how HF Holidays are run in practice. You will find out the result within around three weeks of the course.

Unfortunately we are not currently recruiting volunteer walk leaders. In the meantime though, you can read the ‘What skills do I need’ section of our website to assess your own suitability for the role and vice versa.