This special training opportunity for outdoor leaders to help people get to know a wild place in the spirit of John Muir, is offered by WildWise in partnership with The Institute for Earth Education. The course takes place on Dartmoor in Devon.

This training over 4 days includes participation in a day-long Muir Trek, how to prepare participants for the trek, and the necessary Muir Trek leadership skills and materials.

The Muir Trek is a sunrise to sunset journey through a natural wild place no one knows, inspired by explorer, Sierra Club founder and ‘father’ of the National Park movement, John Muir. Muir would head into the wilds of nature seeking only the richness of the day rather than set a destination. The Muir trek emphasises the Muir-inspired qualities of zest, celebration, joy and adventure in the natural world. However the focus of the Muir Trek is on the individual in the natural world – not the group. Group bonding is not emphasised on a Muir trek. Instead, the day is accented with leader inputs, which help the participants explore their own perceptions and experiences in nature, which are shared in an informal way with the group.

The Muir Trek begins shortly before sunrise as the leader and participants set off to explore the essence of a wild place close to hand. Carrying all they need with them – water, a bit of food, proper clothing – they take the time to explore a small part of our planet. Rather than seeking a destination or being challenged by nature, the Muir Trek moves deliberately with the day. The goal is an internal one, to be conscious and joyful in being outdoors, in direct contact with the earth. There is time to sit and watch and reflect on the natural world, and to saunter and wander over relatively short distances.

Developed by the Institute for Earth Education (I·E·E) and led by its Associate staff members since first described in Acclimatizing (1974), the Muir Trek has been recently revised and updated, and now we would like to begin training others to lead this inspiring experience. This is only the third ‘open’ Muir Trek leaders workshop to be held in the UK.