Almost 2,600 teenagers from across the south west of England recently took on the Ten Tors Challenge — and 94.7% of them made it to the finish line.
104 Regiment 266 Battery, Bristol & Plymouth Gunners, Royal Artillery signalling the start of the event at 0700 on Dartmoor National Park Ten Tors 2026.
Participants and spectators moved toward the start point of the Ten Tors event, seen flying above is a Merlin helicopter from the Royal Navy in support of Exercise Wyvern Tor.
Participants start the Ten Tors event 2026 leaving on mass from Okehampton Training Camp onto Dartmoor National Park. Royal Navy Helicopters fly over in support.
A teacher on looks at a tent during a sunrise in preparation to wake the students prior to the event.
A participant checks their ordnance survey map at a checkpoint on Yes Tor on Dartmoor National Park during the Ten Tors event 2026.
Personnel from the Military Provost Guard Service occupy a checkpoint on a Tor during the Ten Tors Event on Dartmoor.
The annual event, held on Dartmoor in Devon, is the largest outdoor youth event in the country. Teams of six navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles across the northern half of Dartmoor, stopping at ten checkpoints along the way. They carry all their own food and equipment, camp overnight and must complete the route within two days.
Young people with disabilities took part too
Alongside the main challenge, 377 young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) took part in the Jubilee Challenge, covering routes of up to 15 miles. Others took on the newly titled Dartmoor Granite Challenge (formally known as Jubilee Plus) — a more demanding overnight expedition for those ready to push themselves further. Every one of them finished.
Months of planning keep participants safe
Although it is a large scale youth event, Ten Tors is run as a military exercise known as Ex WYVERN TOR by the Army's Headquarters South West, but whilst the Army is the lead organisation, service personnel from across the armed forces work together to make it happen, with an operations room based at Okehampton Camp. The exercise is designed to provide Defence with the opportunity to test its UK resilience training and work seamlessly across multiple agencies.
"It was an incredible weekend. I saw some really happy people and loads of participants achieved so much. And to those who helped to organise the event, a huge thank you to you too. I really look forward to seeing everyone in 2027."
Safety is central to the whole operation. The Army spends months planning the event alongside Devon and Cornwall Police, the Met Office, St John Ambulance and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group, who together provide around 350 volunteers. All Team Managers attend Army briefings on Dartmoor's unpredictable weather, and all kit is checked by expert scrutineers the day before the start.
Hard work pays off
For most participants, reaching the start line is itself an achievement. Teams spend months training — building their fitness, sharpening their navigation skills and learning to work together as a team. For many, it was their first time spending an extended period outdoors. For all of them, it was an experience they are unlikely to forget, and many will return to do it again
Event Director Colonel Jim Bird said:
"It was an incredible weekend. I saw some really happy people and loads of participants achieved so much. And to those who helped to organise the event, a huge thank you to you too. I really look forward to seeing everyone in 2027."
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, click on Army Jobs.
British Army Reservist attempts unprecedented 500-kilometre solo canoe expedition
Junior rank soldiers battle for glory in the ‘World’s Toughest Row'
