There may be many challenging outdoor events in Britain today, but Ten Tors stands alone in its scale, its ambition and the fact that it is aimed solely at young people. The Event takes place every year on Dartmoor during the weekend following the May public holiday and is now firmly established in the collective consciousness of the South West. All those who attempt Ten Tors will undoubtedly remember it for the rest of their lives and for many it will be a life-changing experience.

The Ten Tors Challenge is attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six. The teams navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles (depending on age) over the Northern half of Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors / check points in under two days. Teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely. The Event starts and finishes at Okehampton Camp and is organised by the Army’s Headquarters South West with support from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as well as civilian emergency services and volunteers.

Students must be in Year 9 or 10 to be allowed to train for Ten Tors and the 6 who perform the strongest from training events will be selected for the final team. Training events run throughout the year at weekends leading up to the event itself in May (April in 2023 due to Coronation). Completing Ten Tors is not easy with the terrain, distances and often the climate all conspiring against success. It is, however, achievable with the right commitment, training, determination, and grit: as the Event’s founder once said: “If there is anything more important than the will to succeed, it is that the will shall not falter.”