Want to know what life looks like on the TGO Challenge? Here’s a selection of shots sent in by our Challengers from their crossings of Scotland over the years
All you need to know about this unique event.
The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie.
The 2020 event takes place 8th – 22nd May. We will be open for entries from 8am Friday 13th September until midnight Monday 14th October. The entry fee for TGOC20 will be £75 per person. Read more here.
We are delighted to announce that Ultralight Outdoor Gear will be sponsoring the 2020 TGO Challenge. Their expertise and focus on quality lightweight gear makes them ideal partners for the Event and we are looking forward to working with them.…
TGO Challenge coordinator Ali Ogden discovers that you learn a lot about a stove when you need it the most… Price: £69.99 Weight: 83g Type: canister-mounted gas stove By Ali Ogden The last time either Sue or I brought a…
Challenge coordinators Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden discuss the mental health benefits of a multi-day trip into the wilds. This feature was first published in the Spring 2019 issue of The Great Outdoors. As other Challengers rush across the sand…
Challenge coordinators Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden discuss the intricacies of route-plotting. First published in the April 2018 issue of The Great Outdoors. In early November every year, hundreds of backpackers get the very good news that they have successfully…
Challenge coordinators Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden celebrate bonds forged through shared backpacking. First published in the March 2019 issue of The Great Outdoors. “Here is my route,” read the email from Tim. “It is the same as Douglas’s. We…
In the run-up to the 40th TGO Challenge this May, we will be running a series of short articles on the finest backpacking event in the world. Here, former TGO editor and long-term Challenge coordinator Roger Smith takes a look…
Wondering what the TGO Challenge is all about? Thinking of coming along but need some inspiration for your route? Why not take a look here at the blogs, vlogs and photos from the class of 2018
Just one week to go until the October issue of The Great Outdoors magazine hits the shelves and lands on doormats. It will of course include lots of coverage of the 2018 Challenge and details of how to enter the…
Photo : Chris Wood So the route is finished. Well done – it’s not easy getting this far! Before you send it to us there are a few things we would ask you to check. Some of these might…
Once you have planned your main route you than need to consider if you need any foul weather alternatives. Often this is the hardest bit of route planning just when you thought you were nearly there! Scotland’s weather is notoriously…
