When I returned from my holiday in the summer, I was determined to spend more time outdoors – while I hadn’t been up a mountain, I had spent a lot of time in the fresh air and wanted more of that for my non-holiday life. So I love this blog from Julia Hartley, who has founded her career and business on the benefits of the great outdoors. Here she explains how central kindness and connection are to the role of mountain leaders.
There is a quiet kind of kindness that lives in the hills.
You see it on guided walks across the UK, in the way Mountain Leaders walk at your pace, notice when you need a rest, or offer a calm voice when your confidence dips. It is not loud or dramatic, but it is always present, woven into every step of the journey.
For many people, a Mountain Leader is simply the person who knows the route. But for those of us who spend our lives outdoors, we know they do far more than navigate. They support people emotionally, create a sense of safety, and help individuals reconnect with nature and themselves.
- They hold space.
- They share their calm.
- They encourage courage.
- And very often, they meet people exactly where they are, both in life and on the trail.
Mountain Leaders share more than skills
Every Mountain Leader I have met has one thing in common: a genuine desire to help others experience the outdoors. They do not choose this profession to become millionaires. They choose it because they love the hills, the stories, the landscapes and the chance to build confidence in others.
When your legs shake on a steep section or you doubt your ability, their gentle reassurance is often the thing that keeps you moving. Their belief in you arrives long before your own. That is kindness in its purest form.
Finding a safe space in the outdoors
My own connection to the outdoors began when I was seven years old. My parents were going through a divorce and the world felt uncertain. The Mountain Leaders on those early trips didn’t know the details, but their patience and steady presence helped me find something I desperately needed: a safe place.
- The outdoors became somewhere I could breathe.
- Somewhere I could feel calm again.
- Somewhere kindness was steady and predictable.
Those early experiences shaped the way I think about nature and the people who guide others through it. It is why Guided Outdoor Adventures exists today. I believe people need both the outdoors and the kindness that comes with it.
Guided walks are about connection
Not everyone joins a guided walk for the mountain. Many come for company, community or confidence. A lot of people don’t have someone to walk with, or they feel anxious about going outdoors alone.
Mountain Leaders instinctively create connection.
- They chat.
- They listen.
- They make people feel welcome.
That simple act of listening can be life-changing for someone who feels isolated. It is often the reason people return to guided walks again and again.
Creating confidence and community
Mountain Leaders are skilled at reading a group. They understand who needs encouragement, who enjoys a challenge and who might benefit from a quiet moment walking beside someone who will not judge them.
They help groups bond, even when the walkers arrive as strangers. They build a sense of community outdoors, blending nature, confidence and wellbeing. In many ways, they guide far more than routes. They guide how people feel during the experience.
Knowledge generously shared
One of the joys of joining a guided walk is discovering how much knowledge leaders hold. Each leader brings something unique: local history, geology, wildlife insight or stories from years of exploring UK hills.
They share this knowledge freely because they love seeing people connect with the landscape. Their enthusiasm helps others appreciate the outdoors in new ways.
Kindness that goes beyond expectations
A spirit of kindness naturally exists in outdoor spaces. People look out for one another. One day, after a long walk, I was exhausted and still far from my car. A father and son simply asked where I was parked and offered me a lift. No hesitation. Just kindness.
Mountain Leaders carry that same instinct.
They plan routes carefully, check weather forecasts, carry spare layers, pack first-aid kits and often bring extra food or hot drinks. Many volunteer with Mountain Rescue or have backgrounds in the armed forces or emergency services. Their thoughtfulness often goes unseen but is felt in every safe, reassuring decision they make.
What I’ve learnt from those who lead
I have learnt so much from the leaders I’ve walked with. They share knowledge openly. They make people feel safe when life feels upside down. They remind us that nature can steady the mind and soften the weight we carry.
Guiding is not just about mountains.
It is about people, community and the quiet power of kindness.
An invitation to explore
You don’t need to climb a peak to feel this. Kindness in the outdoors begins right where you are.
Explore from your back door. Look up. Slow down. Let nature offer its calm.
There is far more kindness outdoors than we often realise, and most of it is free.
Julia Hartley is the founder of Guided Outdoor Adventures, a UK-wide platform that connects people with qualified Mountain Leaders and outdoor guides. After discovering the outdoors as a child, Julia built her business on the belief that nature, kindness and human connection can change lives. She now works with guides across the country to help people feel confident, supported and welcome in the hills. Follow on Instagram and Facebook.
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