An HF Holidays volunteer leader with members of the Outdoor Industries Association in Malhamdale

A walking holiday co-operative is on the lookout for new volunteer leaders.

HF Holidays is recruiting experienced walkers to swell the ranks of its existing leaders who number more than 700.

Leaders are provided with travel expenses and accommodation at HF Holidays country houses in locations from Glen Coe in Scotland to the Isle of Wight, and also in some of the best walking areas in Europe and around the world.

Supported by HF Holidays management, walks leaders mostly work in teams, leading holidaymakers of all abilities on day walks between 6km and 26km (4 and 16 miles).

Recruits will have to successfully complete a rigorous assessment programme in the Lake District.

Cat Altounyan, head of walking leader operations, said: “As we prepare for our 100th anniversary in 2013, we continue to grow, providing holidays for more than 50,000 people a year.

“We have taken on three new country houses in the last 12 months alone and we’re looking for more like-minded volunteers to join our team, people who are as passionate about walking as we are.”

The majority of HF Holidays guided walking is in the UK. The most recently added locations are Lulworth Cove in Dorset, Long Mynd in Shropshire and Dovedale in Derbyshire, bringing the total number of HF Holidays’ country houses to 20.

Experienced volunteers are also offered the opportunity to lead overseas.

Ms Altounyan said: “Some people spend up to 10 weeks each season leading guided walks for us, while others still in full time employment lead for just three weeks a year.”

HF Holidays was founded in 1913 as the Holiday Fellowship and is a co-operative society arranging walking, outdoor and leisure activity holidays for more than 50,000 people each year.

Anyone interested in applying to be a volunteer leader should contact walking leader recruitment and training manager Gillian Mininch on 01768 890091, or visit the HF Holidays website.