Scrambling Online Course

Scrambling Course

Take your mountain days beyond the path with the confidence to move comfortably over rocky, steep and exposed terrain.

Our Scrambling Course is designed for hikers and climbers who want to develop the practical skills and judgement needed for adventurous mountain routes. Whether you’re working towards your first scramble, planning a classic ridge, or looking to become more assured on technical ground, you’ll learn how to approach the terrain with greater awareness and control.

Through clear, step-by-step video lessons, practical exercises and expert feedback, you’ll explore the foundations of scrambling—from reading the ground ahead and choosing a sensible line, to using secure handholds and footholds and moving efficiently over mixed terrain. You’ll also learn how to recognise changing conditions, manage exposure, and make considered decisions when the route becomes more challenging.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop the ability to:

• Assess rocky terrain and identify the safest, most efficient way through it

• Choose reliable handholds and footholds, and use them with confidence

• Move smoothly using your hands, feet and body position on steeper ground

• Understand exposure, route-finding and the factors that influence good decision-making

• Recognise common mountain hazards and plan to reduce their impact

• Build confidence progressively, from straightforward rocky ground to more committing scrambles

• Know when to continue, adapt your plan or turn back

You’ll also be introduced to essential rope skills for scrambling. While many routes can be tackled without a rope, knowing how and when to use one can add reassurance when the terrain becomes more technical or conditions are less favourable. The course covers the principles of selecting appropriate equipment, basic rope handling and simple techniques for protecting yourself or supporting a partner on steeper ground. These skills are presented as part of a wider approach to sound judgement—helping you understand when a rope may be useful, and when changing your plan is the better decision.

This is not about rushing to the hardest route. It’s about developing sound movement skills, stronger mountain judgement and the confidence to enjoy scrambling at the right level for you.

The course is built around flexible learning, so you can study whenever it suits you, revisit lessons as often as you need, and put your new skills into practice on suitable local crags, hills and mountains. You can also upload videos of your movement for personalised instructor feedback—helping you refine your technique and continue progressing with purpose.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to move over mountain terrain with confidence, how to prepare for a scrambling day, and how to make more informed decisions when you’re out on the hill.