TGO Challenge

29/11/2025

TGO CHALLENGE EAST

Today's the day! Entries for the inaugural TGO Challenge East open at noon (GMT).

For more details: www.tgochallenge.com

26/11/2025

Entries open for the inaugural TGO Challenge East in just a few days' time, at noon (GMT) on Saturday 29 November.

Here's a short video giving details of this new event:
https://youtu.be/JRVTDvT1rq4

Full details of the event can be found on the 'TGO Challenge East' menu on the TGO Challenge website.

For more details, go to www.tgochallenge.com and look for the 'TGO Challenge East' menu option.

09/11/2025

Exciting news, Challengers! We’re thrilled to announce a brand new backpacking event: The Great Outdoors Challenge East, which will open for entries on Sat 29th Nov 2025 at 1200 (GMT).

This sister event of the main TGO Challenge is aimed at those who have never before completed the main TGOC, who are perhaps nervous about preparing their own route, or need to build backpacking confidence and skills in the wilds of Scotland.

So, if you know someone who wants to do the TGO Challenge but would like a ‘taster’ first, then please pass this on to them.

https://www.tgochallenge.com/tgoceast/

07/10/2025

Roger Smith (1938-2025)

It is with very heavy hearts we pass on the news that Roger Smith, creator of the TGO Challenge, author and founding editor of TGO magazine, died at home this morning.
Roger was the person who had the vision, persistence and ingenuity, not to mention the organisation skills, to turn the idea of walking across Scotland into the wonderfully unique event that is TGO Challenge. It is testament to him that it continues, 45 years later, largely along the lines he set in the 1980s.
As well as creating the Challenge he completed 5 crossings, but most will have known him as its Coordinator for nearly 2 decades (1981-2011) and latterly as a route vetter, only retiring a few years ago when, as he put it, “Mr Parkinson” finally stopped him.
He was encouraging to all Challengers but, if you were a first timer, he would go out of his way to help you find your way across Scotland and greet you in Montrose with a warm smile, and a sense of gentle, fatherly pride.
Despite his numerous other achievements, the Challenge remained close to his heart. At Montrose this year he had many of us close to tears when he said at the Friday dinner, “While ever I have breath in my body I will be here.“ Well, Roger, you will forever be with us, not just in Montrose or for the last two weeks of May but whenever anyone describes themselves as a “Challenger”.
He will be greatly missed by so many and our thoughts are especially with his wife Patricia and his daughters.

04/10/2025

Entries for the 2026 TGOC are now open. Apply here https://www.tgochallenge.com/entryform/

01/10/2025

Have you ever found yourself wondering about the stories behind the memorials that you come across whilst wandering across Scotland? Roger Smith, known to many of us as the founder of the TGO Challenge and TGO magazine's first editor, can help with his latest book - Scotland’s Monuments and Memorials, published on 6th October. Copies can be ordered at https://www.whittlespublishing.com/Scottish_Monuments_and_Memorials
Which begs the question - how many of these monuments can be incorporated into a TGO Challenge crossing?!

20/05/2025

We've a steady stream of Challengers here at The Park Hotel in Montrose including Nick Brown from Ultralight Outdoor Gear.
Lots of happy faces and there will be happy feet too thanks to Darn Tough Vermont Socks

09/05/2025

TGOC25 - Day 2 - more blue skies, Friday starters setting off, some spectacular camps for yesterdays starters.
Meanwhile at Challenge Control we have taken our quality assurance duties very seriously and can confirm the Charlton Farm strawberry tarts are as excellent as ever! Though we may feel the need for further research before you all get here just to be sure . . .

08/05/2025

Thank- you Darn Tough Vermont Socks and Ultralight Outdoor Gear. A real treat awaits all the weary feet in Montrose in a couple of weeks time.

Not all socks are created equal.

That’s why we’re proud to have Darn Tough Vermont Socks join Ultralight Outdoor in sponsoring the TGO Challenge

These socks are a staff favourite for a reason: they offer unbeatable durability, moisture-wicking Merino wool, and lifetime-guaranteed performance. They are perfect for the varied, rugged terrain of a coast-to-coast hike across Scotland.

If you’re taking on the Challenge, don’t leave home without them.