The Great Outdoors Magazine

29 September 2023

THE EARTH’S GREATEST WALKS! Like Beyoncé or The Beatles, the world’s bucket list treks are popular for a reason. In any case, it is still possible to take on the ‘big treks’ in ways that feel rewarding: you can choose to use less trodden routes, spend your money such that it benefits local communities, or approach them in novel ways. Our lead feature on from 24 provides pointers and insider tips on how to do just those things, as well as shedding light on a few of the less famous itineraries that still pack the same punch (and check out Jilly Sherlock’s way of getting the Tour de Mont Blanc more or less to herself on pg. 42. This issue also carries our annual celebration of The Great Outdoors Challenge, the world’s leading backpacking event, which sees up to 350 Challengers plot their own self-supported crossings of Scotland across a two-week window every May. We’re proud to have supported this fantastic event for more than 45 years. It’s just as epic as any bucket list trek, but it’s the dedicated community of volunteers and participants that makes it so special. Turn to pg. 48 to read moving accounts of this year’s crossings and find out how to enter next year’s event.