Why Ten Tors is the Ultimate Test of Youth Character

In the landscape of British outdoor endurance, many events claim to test the limits of human spirit.

Yet, Ten Tors stands alone. Its reputation as one of the most character-building experiences available to young people in the UK is well-earned, rooted in its massive scale, its high ambition, and its unwavering focus on the next generation.

Based at Okehampton Camp and organised by the Army’s Headquarters South West, with vital support from the Royal Navy, RAF, and emergency services—Ten Tors is more than a trek; it is a legendary rite of passage.

A Challenge Like No Other

Held annually on Dartmoor during the weekend following the May public holiday, the event is now firmly established in the collective consciousness of the South West. It is an expedition that tests everything: endurance, navigation, teamwork, and mental resilience.

The terrain is famously unforgiving and the weather notoriously unpredictable, but that is precisely what makes the experience so valuable. For the thousands of teenagers, including Sea, Army, and Air Cadets as well as those from the Combined Cadet Corps, who descend on the moors, the goal isn’t just to finish; it’s to discover who they are when things get difficult. As the Event’s founder once famously remarked: “If there is anything more important than the will to succeed, it is that the will shall not falter.”

The Road to the Moors

Success on Ten Tors isn’t born on the weekend of the event; it is forged in the months of preparation leading up to it. Training is the responsibility of the participants’ establishments, requiring a level of commitment that sets these young people apart. With the Dartmoor climate often conspiring against them, only those with the right preparation and endurance will find success.

Three Ways to Conquer Dartmoor
Ten Tors is designed to ensure that the challenge is accessible to a wide range of young people, offering three distinct categories:

1. The Ten Tors Challenge

This is the flagship event attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six. Depending on their age, teams navigate routes of 35, 45, or 55 miles over the northern half of Dartmoor. They must visit ten nominated tors in under two days, remaining entirely self-sufficient by carrying everything they need to eat, navigate, and stay out overnight safely.

2. The Jubilee Challenge

Operating closer to the heart of Okehampton Camp, the Jubilee Challenge is designed for young people aged 14 to 21 with a range of challenging conditions. It offers several routes specifically suited to their abilities, ensuring the spirit of the moors is open to all.

3. The Dartmoor Granite Challenge

Formerly known as Jubilee Challenge Plus, this category is aimed at young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (such as SEMH, ASD, or SpLD). It provides an appropriately arduous 18km+ route across difficult terrain, including an overnight camp, for those who find the main challenge inaccessible but are capable of a rugged, independent experience.

A Life-Changing Legacy

Cadets and students who complete Ten Tors don’t just finish a challenge; they come away with a deeper understanding of what they are capable of and a confidence that extends far beyond the moors.
Whether they are navigating through thick mist or climbing the final tor, the experience stays with them for the rest of their lives. For many, it is truly life changing, influencing how they approach every obstacle they will face in the future.

Discover more at Ten Tors