TGO Challenge
The TGO Challenge is an annual self-supported hiking event across the Highlands of Scotland, west coast to east coast. It started in 1980 and was the brainchild of the well-known UK writer and mountaineer, Hamish Brown. The Challenge is held every May and is sponsored by TGO, the UK equivalent of Backpacker Magazine in the US before they watered down the adventure and became a glorified travel magazine.
TGO Challenge Overview
Trip Journals
- 2013 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 1
- 2013 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 2
- 2010 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 1
- 2010 TGO Challenge Journal, Part 2
- Hiking from Strathcarron to Torridon
- Torridon Hills: Liathach and Mullach an Rathan
Peculiarities of Scottish Hiking and Backpacking
- TGO Challenge Tips for Yanks and Non-Residents
- How to Hike Across Peat Bogs
- Mountain Bothies
- Hiker’s Guide to Gaellic Mapping Words
- Mail Drops for Hiker Resupply in the United States and the UK
Recommended Planning References
- The Munros: Scotland’s Highest Mountains
- The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland: v.1: A Guide for Mountain Walkers (Vol 1)
- Scotland (World Mountain Ranges)
- Scottish Hill Tracks by Scottish Rights Of Way And Access Society
- Hostile Habitats – Scotland’s Mountain Environment: A Hillwalkers’ Guide to Wildlife and the Landscape
Recommended Maps and Planning Software
Scotland Hiking Resources
Scotland Weather
- Mountain Weather Information Service
- Met Office
About the author
Philip Werner has hiked and backpacked over 10,000 miles in the United States and the UK and written over 3000 articles as the founder of sectionhiker.com, noted for its backpacking gear reviews and hiking FAQs. He is the author of Hiking Over 60: A Modern Guide to Hiking Gear and Techniques for Active Adults and Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers. Philip is currently on the board of directors for the Green Mountain Club. Click here to subscribe to the SectionHiker newsletter.
Hi Phillip – What a great write up(s)! Do you have a sense of how selective they are with regard to selecting hikers?
Here are the requirements.
https://www.tgochallenge.com/skills-climate-and-terrain/
If you’re already a competent backpacker in mountainous terrain, you just want to make sure your off trail navigation skills are up to snuff and I mean really up to snuff, since most self-designed routes have off-trail sections in very remote terrain. Previous experience is what they look for.
Philip,
Have you found a good source for OS paper maps on this side of the pond? In 2019 I used Dash4it. Last time I checked, they no longer ship to the US. Thanks.
No – I did find the ones I needed for my next TGO on Amazon US, but I think I got the last copies. Try Amazon UK. Another challenger said Waterstones UK will ship to the US, but when I looked I didn’t see any listings in their store.