Ten Tors: Thousands descend upon Dartmoor for challenge

The youngsters taking part in Ten Tors have to carry everything they need to complete their route and camp overnight

Thousands of people will gather on Dartmoor this weekend for the 62nd Ten Tors challenge.

The trek will be attempted by 2,400 teenagers, navigating routes of 35, 45 or 55-miles (56, 72 or 88km) across Dartmoor.

Challengers will set off on Saturday, guiding themselves unaccompanied to 10 check points throughout the weekend.

The Jubilee Challenge will also take place for about 400 young people with special, physical or educational needs.

Disruption possible

Police said on Friday a road closure had been put in place outside Okehampton Army Camp that could cause disruption to Ten Tors teams arriving.

Officers were called by the ambulance service after a man was found with serious injuries at about 01:30 BST, Devon and Cornwall Police said. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A police cordon has been put in place at the scene and inquiries are ongoing, the force added.

The challenge begins at 07:00 BST for teenagers aged from 14 to 19 from schools and youth groups across the South West.

The Jubilee challenge starts at 07:30, with routes of up to 15 miles (24km) either as teams or as individuals, each one accompanied by an officer cadet from Exeter University Training Corps.

The official starter for 2024 is TV presenter and author Ray Mears, who is recognised across the world as an authority on the subjects of bushcraft and survival.

The Dartmoor Plodders are excited to be taking part

Many of the participants already have their eyes on the finish line, including the Dartmoor Plodders, a youth walking group.

Jacob, a member of the group, said his favourite thing from the weekend would be the pasty at the end "because it just tastes so good after a weekend of walking."

Students from Cullompton Community College said they were feeling "confident" going into the challenge after several months of preparation.

Oscar said: "We've been going on training walks, probably like two a month and going out in groups of sixes doing mock Ten Tors events.

"I feel pretty confident, I think we'll come in quite early and get quite fast."

The college's team leader Bethany, said she was looking forward to "feeling like a team while doing it" but added it would be a challenge "getting used to walking with the bags on".

Oscar and Bethany said they were "feeling confident" about the weekend

As well as being one of the biggest outdoors adventure events for young people in Britain today, Ten Tors is organised by the Army, and is a high-level military resilience exercise.

The Army said Ten Tors was "meticulously planned" over many months - working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police, the Met Office, the British Red Cross and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group, who will provide almost 350 volunteers.

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.

The act was established to conserve and preserve the countryside, and provide recreational access to the public.

There are 15 National Parks in the UK, of which Dartmoor was the fourth to be designated, in 1951.