Posted 11 October 2025

Taking to the hills, moors or mountains can be exciting, inspiring, and challenging. They can provide a great setting for team and self-development, fun and adventure.

Discover the Great Outdoors – Safely and Adventurously

Over the past six years, CambsMAT has proudly provided both practical coaching and theoretical training to over 100 adult volunteers. As a result, nearly 40 have earned adventurous activity permits in hillwalking. Our original goal—to inspire and equip volunteers with the skills and knowledge to lead and expand Scouting adventures—has been successfully achieved.

While our initial focus was adult training, we’ve also introduced many young people to the wonders of the outdoors. Today, youth engagement has become our primary mission, though we continue to offer training and assessments for adults. We invite you to share details of our trips with your youth members and consider joining us for an unforgettable adventure in the hills and moorlands. Let’s explore together!

Forthcoming Events

• Brecon Beacons (Dolygaer Scout Centre), 15 – 17 May
  • Indoor accommodation at Dolygaer Scout Activity Centre.
  • The Brecon Beacons National Park is a place of unparalleled natural beauty, featuring rolling hills, picturesque valleys, ancient woodlands, and breathtaking waterfalls. The accommodation sits just below the highest peak in southern Britain, Pen y Fan, standing proudly at 886 meters, and a multitude of other majestic mountains waiting to be explored.
  • Hillwalking adventure for all Levels – Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, the Brecon Beacons offer something for everyone, and you will be guided by our experienced permit holders.
  • This trip is open to all Scouts in School Years 8 & 9, Explorer Scouts and adult members of Cambridgeshire Scouts, with any level of experience in the hills. Scouts and Explorers can come without their own Leaders – we will look after them!

• Ilkley (Curly Hill Scout Centre), 3-5 July, 
  • Indoor accommodation at Curly Hill Scout Campsite Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
  • This is a great venue to introduce Scouts and Explorers to hill walking with gentle hills that give amazing views; it is also a good area for T1 permit training. Ilkley Moor provides a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical exploration. Whether you’re interested in hiking, history, or simply enjoying the stunning landscapes, this trip has something to offer everyone.
  • This trip is open to all Scouts, Explorers and adult members of Cambridgeshire Scouts, with or without hillwalking experience but should be able to walk up to 10km in lowland environments (eg Cambridgeshire). Please note that any Scouts in school year 6 or 7 must be accompanied by an adult member who knows them. Scouts in years 8 & 9 and Explorers can come without their own Leaders – we will look after them!

• Snowdonia (Scout Adventures Yr Hafod), 25-27 September,
  • Indoor accommodation at Yr Hafod Scout Activity Centre in Snowdonia.
  • This is a fantastic walking location, offering routes straight from the hut door that take in spectacular views and varying levels of difficulty, from easy strolls around the lake, to very challenging scrambling routes, and everything in-between.
  • This trip is open to all Scouts in School Years 8 & 9, Explorer Scouts and adult members of Cambridgeshire Scouts, with any level of experience in the hills, to enjoy a weekend of hillwalking under the guidance of experienced hillwalking permit holders. Scouts and Explorers can come without their own Leaders – we will look after them!
  • Yr Hafod is also the perfect venue for training and assessment for all levels of hillwalking permit, and so we can offer training and/or assessment over the weekend. Just let us know when you fill in the application form.

Cost: £75  

• This applies for all 2026 CambsMAT trips and covers accommodation and all meals from Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch.

Travel and outline for each trip  

• We depart Cambridgeshire (usually meeting in St Ives for those using the minibus) on the Friday evening;
• Saturday is a full day in the hills,
• Saturday evening we choose routes for Sunday, then chill out,
• Sunday morning to mid-afternoon is an easier hill day and then on Sunday afternoon we clean accommodation ready for handover & return to Cambridgeshire.