Who is TGOC East for?
A sister event to the main TGO Challenge, TGOC East offers a way for less experienced backpackers and those who lack confidence in their skills to ‘find their feet’ in the TGO Challenge area while experiencing some of the demands and joys of the main Event. The aims are:
Karen James-Hunt, Angie Thompson, Paul Younger, Steve & Jane Edwards
- To provide an event for the less-experienced backpackers, so they can gain the knowledge, confidence and skills for the full TGO Challenge event.
- To allow participants to engage with TGO Challengers, discovering the camaraderie and community of the Event.
- To encourage participation of minority groups and those with limited opportunity to access the hills.
- To provide an event that qualifies participants to enter the full TGO Challenge in subsequent years.
How does it work?
- Participants will need some prior backpacking experience; however, the acceptance criteria will be less demanding than those of the TGO Challenge.
- Coinciding with the second week of the TGO Challenge – 8am Thursday, 20th May to 5pm Friday, 28th May 2027.
- 8 start points along the A9 trunk road with popular Challenge finish points.
- A choice of over 20 pre-planned routes with lower, higher and mixed options to allow for different levels of experience and walking speeds.
- Routes choices graded and matched to participant’s experience.
- Maximum of 50 participants, with a limited number on any one route so participants will not be walking in a large group.
- Opportunity to mix with those on the full TGO Challenge, finish and celebrate with them.
- Route sheets, GPX files and information sheet (similar to Vetter’s comments) provided to each participant.
What experience do I need to enter TGOC East?
To qualify for a TGOC East place you must meet the following criteria:
- TGOC Challenge crossings: You have not previously completed the main TGOC Challenge event or more than 3 TGOC East routes.
- Experience: You have completed, within the last 5 years, a multi-day backpacking trip, in a wild environment, of at least 2 days/1 night. The trip must have involved at least 16km (10 miles) walking each day while carrying your equipment.
- Navigation: You have the ability to navigate, including using a compass, and be able to read a suitably detailed map (such as Ordnance Survey – paper or digital).
- Fitness: You have the ability to carry personal and camping equipment, and a minimum of 3 days’ provisions and walk 20+km per day.
- Self sufficiency: You have the capacity to be self-sufficient in remote areas where help may not be easily accessible, including suitable first aid skills.
- Assessing Risks: You have the ability to assess and deal with issues encountered and adverse weather (wind, rain, occasionally snow, and excessive heat), including crossing unbridged river/burns and other obstacles that present themselves along the way.
What did 2026 Easters think of the event?
As 2026 was the first iteration of TGOC East we surveyed those who participated. We were pleased to see that nearly everyone had a good time and most of them plan to return for a full Challenge or step up to a more Challenging TGOC East route in the next few years. You can read the full report here.
A flavour of the comments from 2026 Easters:
I relished the sense of being somewhat off grid while simultaneously having a shared purpose with many walkers somewhere around me. Hours would pass enjoyably alone in stunning landscapes with freedom over where and when to stop and no sense of a clock ticking. And then suddenly someone from Slovakia – or any number of other places – would emerge offering chocolate and a chat.
I just love being out and camping in the Scottish countryside and having other people around gave me more confidence. I enjoyed the social aspect of the last few days more than I thought I would and met lots of lovely people.
In many ways, it was the people I met along the route—both locals and fellow TGO challengers, as well as the Challenge Control staff who made the event so special and enjoyable. I also loved seeing parts of Scotland that I had never visited before.
I really enjoyed taking part. The route was great, the weather was, erm, Scottish. But the primary factor was the welcoming atmosphere from all the other challengers. I had worried that being an Easter would relegate me to a second-class but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone I spoke to was excited to learn I was an Easter.
How do I find more information?
TGO Challenge East Event Details will be published here by early November. In the meantime the 2026 document is available.
Mick and Ali will be Coordinating TGOC East. If you have any questions contact them at tgoceast@gmail.com or give one of them a ring Mick – 07714329917, Ali – 07786628105