Two men working on a mountain path. Maintenance in progress sign in foreground

Upland Path Monitoring and Maintenance (4.5 days – blended)

About this course

This is a comprehensive multi-day course covering practical monitoring and maintenance skills. The course is delivered over 4.5 days consisting of a 1 hr. online preparation session before each 2 x 2 practical days on the hills. A 2 hr. online post-course review closes off the course. Participants will use a site of their choosing to deploy learning between in-person blocks and the post-course review session. Participants will be expected to create a portfolio of work carried out over the duration of the course.  Participants must attend all elements of the course. 

Through a mix of online learning and extended field work, participants will build a working competence across the full monitoring and maintenance cycle. On completing the course, they will be able to plan, deliver and report on maintenance work to the standard expected on Helping the Hills network sites. 

This course is suitable for professional path-work practitioners, path-team leaders and aspiring contractors who need a full grounding in monitoring and maintenance; RROs, those working in the sector, those with responsibility for maintaining paths in upland areas.

Completion of ‘What is Upland Path Monitoring and Maintenance’ is required before registering for this course. 

Suitable for

RROs, anyone carrying out or supervising maintenance work on upland paths

Learning outcomes

  • ✓ Plan a season of monitoring and maintenance work on an upland site
  • ✓ Carry out the full range of maintenance techniques safely and to industry standard
  • ✓ Manage a small maintenance team on-site
  • ✓ Record and report maintenance activity in a format useful to managers and funders
  • ✓ Identify limits of maintenance

ORIKS Framework

Theme Sub-theme
Monitoring and Maintenance Monitoring and reporting condition, Routine maintenance, Repairs, Work Party Leadership
Path Construction General Principles, Drainage, Path base, Aggregate technique, Stone pitching, Steps, Revetment, Structures, Bound surfaces
Recreational Users Walking
Environment and Culture Geology, Geomorphology, Landscape character, Ecology
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