All Hillwalkers Club hikes are voluntarily led by club members who have developed the skills and experience to lead a group safely in the mountains. Therefore, it is not necessary to be able to self navigate when participating in our hikes.

However, having personal proficiency in mountain skills can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the hills, and open up opportunities for leadership or participation in walking events that require the ability to navigate.

The club periodically runs a Map and Compass course for all members, designed to give members the basic skills needed to navigate in the Irish hills. Other courses that have been provided to members in the past include hike leadership training and recreational first aid.

Club members are encouraged to participate in the Mountain Skills that is run by Mountaineering Ireland. Members who attend the Mountain Skills 1 and 2 courses offered through MI may, subject to conditions, avail of a training subsidy from the club.