Mountain Hiking & Trail Exploration
Take on mountain trails and experience the reward of reaching new heights. This journey builds hiking endurance, navigation skills, and outdoor confidence while connecting you with the beauty of natural landscapes.
Throughout my time with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I have learned that I can accomplish a lot more than I think I can, just by having the right mindset. Until last year, running was one of my least favorite activities, but I chose to challenge myself for my Silver level. Now, I can run 5km in 30 minutes, and I look back and wonder why I ever thought it would be impossible!
Evangelina, Bronze and Silver Award HolderBuilding your Award:
Find Bronze Award examples to support activity planning
(Completed as a team. Participants will work together to plan and complete their journey.)
Example Activity: Mountain hiking adventure tackling challenging trails, practicing navigation, and camping overnight.
Example Team Goal: We’ll hike to a summit or scenic destination, navigate using maps and trail markers, complete a safe overnight camp, and debrief about how we handled challenges along the way.
Example Assessor/Supervisor: Outdoor education teacher, hiking club leader, or Award Leader
Example SMART Goal: Mountain hiking requires serious fitness! Over 13 weeks, I’m building trail running endurance by running trails once a week. Starting with 2 km and working up to completing a 5 km trail without stopping.
Example Assessor: Gym teacher, running coach, or outdoor education instructor
Example Log: Ran 2.5 km on the ravine trail today. The uneven terrain is challenging but I’m getting better at pacing on hills. Trail running is so much more interesting than the track! Adding distance next week.
Example SMART Goal: Survival skills are essential for hiking, so over 13 weeks, I’m learning wilderness skills like shelter building, navigation, fire safety, and first aid through courses and practice.
Example Assessor: Outdoor education teacher, wilderness skills instructor, or Scouts/Guides leader
Example Log: Practiced compass navigation today. I walked a triangle course using only bearings. Got within 10 meters of my starting point! Learning to trust the compass even when my instincts say otherwise. Shelter building next.
Example SMART Goal: I noticed our local trails need care. I’m organizing monthly trail clean-ups with friends over 13 weeks, removing litter and helping maintain paths that everyone uses.
Example Assessor: Environmental science teacher, park staff, or community clean-up coordinator
Example Log: Collected 4 bags of trash along the ravine trail today. Found some really random stuff. Who leaves a tire in the woods? Other hikers thanked us as they passed. Planning our next clean-up at the lakeside trail.
