What should I bring with me for my Winter Hillwalking Experience?

Please bring the following with you. Please avoid cotton clothing: Winter mountaineering boots – crampon compatible Waterproof trousers Wool socks Base layer Gloves – plus spares Lightweight fleece Warm hat – plus spare Fleece or soft-shell jacket Spare fleece / warm top Trousers – synthetic that dry quickly Lunch, snacks and liquid Waterproof jacket with hood

How do you deal with bad weather conditions in the mountains?

As part of planning our adventures we follow the mountain weather forecasts closely. If the guides decide that the weather represents an unacceptable level of risk an alternative destination will be decided upon and communicated. There are 282 mountains in Scotland over 914m / 3000ft. We are in these mountains year-round exploring and guiding clients to summits in wild and remote locations.

What do you mean by 'winter mountaineering boots'?

These are boots designed specifically for mountaineering in snow, rock and ice conditions. They are also crampon-compatible which is required for our winter mountaineering trips. If you are not sure please just contact us or the adventuro team via the live chat. We can also provide you with winter mountaineering boots if required and requested in advance.

Is there any flexibility on the age limit?

If you are interested in a custom adventure for you and your group, there is flexibility on age limits. Please message the adventuro team via the live chat, who will be happy to facilitate this arrangement.

What qualifications and insurance does your team have?

Along with our Public Liability insurance, we are continually building on our qualifications. As a team, we have the following qualifications, so you can be sure you are in the right hands for whatever you are doing with us: Mountain Leader (Winter); Mountain Leader (Summer); ASI SUP Instructor Trainer/Assessor; SLSGB Trainer/Assessor; Single Pitch Award (rock climbing); Trail Cycle Leader (mountain biking); SLSGB Surf Lifeguard; SLSGB Coasteering Safety and Rescue; ASI SUP Instructor Level 3; ASI Surf Instructor Level 2; HSE First Aid Certificate; Scottish Field Archery Association Leader; Neural Linguistic Programming Practitioner Certificate; PDA in Youth Work; Mountain Instructor Award (training).

What accreditations do you have as a course provider?

We hold an Adventure Activity License. This allows participants under the age of 18 to take part in an activity with us without parental/guardian supervision. Please note, a parent or guardian will be required to sign a declaration form before the activity. For coasteering, The National Coasteering Charter (NCC) is an advisory membership organisation providing coasteering companies and guides with support and advice as well as the benchmark for safety for this activity. Our guides are highly experienced and run Coasteering Guide Workshops for other providers of coasteering using the NCC guides framework. You can’t find better-skilled or more experienced guides in the area. We are the people the guides come to learn from. ASI [Academy of Surf Instructors] is the world’s leading professional membership organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle boarding and body boarding. We are an accredited ASI school and instructor training centre, this means our instructors are of the highest possible professional standards. ASI creates and sets the international standards and continuously investigates and researches industry practices and liaises with the industry itself and government departments around the world, to ensure we are at the leading edge for the provision of education, accreditation, standards and safe practices, and with respect and harmony with nature.

How fit do I need to be for this adventure?

All our adventures take place in the mountains and ocean so a level of fitness is required. We also like to make our adventures accessible to a wide variety of clients. For all our mountain adventures we use the following grade system: Easy: Easier treks, mostly on well-defined paths, with no special difficulties. Easy/Moderate: Slightly harder treks. Paths may be indistinct, navigation skills required. Moderate: Moderate mountaineering. Terrain will be steep, map reading skills essential. This grade includes the most straightforward and popular Mountains over 3000 feet / 914 meters [Munros]. Challenging: Harder mountaineering. Can include longer treks and pathless sections calling for more careful navigation. There may be scree and minor scrambling. This grade is quite broad and includes the bulk of Mountains over 3000 feet / 914 meters [Munros]. Strenuous: Tough by mountaineering standards; these routes can be very arduous or include trickier scrambling. This grade includes the hardest or most strenuous Mountains over 3000 feet / 914 meters [Munros]. In the ocean, clients should be confident in cold water and full immersion – and be able to swim 15m.

How do you manage risk?

All our adventures are continually risk assessed as part of our planning and professional procedures. This assessment is also integrated into our insurance process.

What do you mean when you say that you are an 'ethical' adventure company?

As a responsible and ethical adventure company we are committed to the wild and natural environment we work in. We strive to put the planet first in everything we do. We recognise that a love for our beautiful wild places demands active participation in the fight to save them. This is of course a dynamic process and we are always striving to minimise our impact in, educate our clients on and improve our contribution towards, our natural environment. We align as partners with adventuro, who are a net-zero company from day-one, partnering with Rewilding Britain to protect our playground.

Winter Hillwalking Experience in the Glen Coe and Black Mount Region

Protecting The Playground

We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.

Book With Confidence

All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.

Our winter hillwalking adventures unfold amidst the enchanting landscapes of the Glen Coe and Black Mount region, where each journey is an exploration of Scotland's natural beauty. We understand that weather conditions are pivotal in planning, ensuring safety, and choosing our routes. Thus, our final destination is always dictated by the day's weather.

With Scotland boasting 282 mountains towering over 914 meters (3000 feet), we embark on year-round expeditions, guiding clients to summits in remote and untamed locations. During the winter season, we set our sights on the iconic summits of the Western Highlands.

Key Details

Availability: November - April
Duration: 10-12 hours
Mountaineering Time: 5-8 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Meeting Point: Join us at 6.30 am at Ingliston Park and Ride EH28 8LS, situated near Edinburgh Airport
Total Distance: 8-15km
Summit: Reach elevations between 900 meters and 1,345 meters
Group Size: 3-6 people

What to Expect

Winter in the Scottish mountains beckons with the promise of a serious and highly rewarding mountaineering adventure. As daylight diminishes and snow blankets the terrain, you'll experience the ever-changing conditions of these wild and remote landscapes.

You have the privilege of choosing from a variety of spectacular locations. From the famous and iconic peaks of Glen Coe to the lesser-known mountain wilderness of Black Mount and the Bridge of Orchy region, each option offers a unique adventure. Glen Coe, in particular, stands out as one of Britain's most magnificent areas of natural wilderness, boasting numerous summits and ridges exceeding 3000 feet.

In the winter, Glen Coe transforms into an awe-inspiring and significant challenge. Summiting iconic peaks like Bidean nam Bian, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Buachaille Etive Mor, and Buachaille Etive Beag, you'll be captivated by the beauty of these mountains, both in the UK and beyond.

Your journey is guided by a professional instructor, ensuring your safety and skill development. With small groups of no more than six participants, your guide will focus on teaching you the essential skills of using ice axes and crampons and navigating safely through steep, snow-covered terrain.

The emphasis is on developing winter skills, interpreting mountain weather forecasts, acquiring avalanche awareness, mastering navigation techniques, sharpening decision-making abilities, and building the confidence needed to become an independent adventurer in the mountains.

Location

We will meet at 6.30am at Ingliston Park and Ride, EH28 8LS, by Edinburgh Airport. There is an additional option to meet at Wallyford Park and Ride, EH21 8BU at 6am – please let us know when you book if this is preferable.

Prerequisites

You must be at least 16 years old. No previous winter hillwalking experience is required. However, participants should possess a reasonable level of fitness and a sense of adventure.

Why Choose Us?

Prepare for an immersive and rewarding winter hillwalking experience, forging unforgettable memories amidst Scotland's natural wonders. Should you choose to join us, you'll embark on an adventure that not only challenges but also inspires and transforms, leaving you with lasting skills and cherished moments.

We are passionate about the natural world and its beautiful wild places. We have a deep respect and appreciation for the environment and a love for adventure and silent human-powered sports.