Ten Tors is an annual walking challenge held each May on Dartmoor in southwest England, organised by the British Army since 1960. Teams of six young people navigate routes visiting ten designated tors — Dartmoor’s granite hilltops — over a single weekend, with around 2,400 participants testing their endurance, navigation and teamwork across the moorland’s remote, weather-exposed terrain.
The event draws entrants predominantly from schools, colleges, Scout groups and Cadet squadrons. Originally open to teams from across the United Kingdom and occasionally Australia and New Zealand, participation was restricted to South West England teams from 2012 onwards due to overwhelming demand. Ten Tors remains a formative rite of passage for young hikers in the region, blending military logistical support with genuine wilderness challenge: navigation by map and compass, self-sufficiency with camping kit, and resilience in conditions that can shift from fog to sun in minutes. The event exemplifies Dartmoor’s role as a training ground for adventurers before they venture farther afield.
