The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2026 are the UK’s biggest democratic celebration of the best of outdoor culture. Fourteen years ago, we launched our first annual awards and you have been championing the people, places and businesses that make our outdoor lives better ever since. Here are your winners and runners up – as nominated and voted for by you – across 15 categories including the Open Outdoors award, pub of the year, campaigner of the year, brand of the year, and many more.
Main image: Walking towards Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog | Credit: Paul Maguire / Shutterstock
What makes these Reader Awards different – and gives extra kudos to the winners, commendees and shortlists – is that it’s you, the outdoor going public, who decide the results. Only those who win the most of your votes walk away with a top accolade, with commendations going to the second and third highest number of votes.
The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2026: the categories
- The Extra Mile award
- Outdoor personality of the year
- Campaign or campaigner of the year
- The Open Outdoors award
- Walkers’ pub of the year
- Walkers’ café of the year
- Hostel or bunkhouse of the year
- Campsite of the year
- Walker’s app of the year
- Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
- Outdoor book of the year
- Independent retailer of the year
- Chain retailer of the year
- Online retailer of the year
- Outdoor clothing and equipment brand of the year
The Extra Mile award
Recognising individuals or groups who go beyond the call of duty to make a difference – from employees who have provided exceptional customer service to volunteers who contribute their time for the benefit of the countryside and other walkers.
Winner: Britain’s Mountain Rescue teams (England, Wales, Scotland, plus Independent Scottish Mountain Rescue)
Over half of voters in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2026 wanted to honour every single volunteer who is on call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to rescue walkers, climbers, missing children, and vulnerable adults in the mountains. Nominators shouted out specific teams including Glencoe, Langdale and Ambleside, Tayside, Glencoe and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Teams.
Mike Park, CEO of Mountain Rescue England & Wales, said: “On behalf of Mountain Rescue England & Wales, I would like to thank the readers of TGO for their continued support in voting for British Mountain Rescue Teams in the Extra Mile category of the TGO Reader Awards. This award is recognition of the 4000+ unpaid mountain rescue volunteers across Britain who are providing a 24/7: 365 days of the year, free of charge search and rescue service. Your continuing support means everything to us.”
A spokesperson from Scottish Mountain Rescue added: “On behalf of our 26 Mountain Rescue Teams, and every volunteer who heads into Scotland’s mountains at all hours and in all weathers, thank you for this kind recognition. Our volunteers give their time freely to bring people safely home, answering the call 24/7 whenever someone needs help. To receive the Extra Mile Award – voted for by TGO readers – is truly appreciated, and a wonderful acknowledgment of the care, commitment and courage our volunteers bring to mountain rescue across Scotland.”
Commended: Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs
Our four-legged friends and their handlers in Lakeland received special commendation from you this year for the first time. One reader explained: “On top of being Mountain Rescue Volunteers and the commitment to training and helping people in difficulty, search dog handlers put in extra time training with their dogs every week.” This hard work, they added, helps to speed up the process of finding lost and injured people and potentially gives a greater chance of survival.
Emma Atherton, LDMRSDA Secretary, said: “We would like to thank the readers of TGO for awarding us with a special commendation in the Extra Mile category of the TGO Reader Awards. Like all Mountain Rescue Teams, the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs and their Handlers are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding in all weathers and at all times of day and night. All our Handlers are members of one of the local Mountain Rescue Teams in the Lake District and choose to train a Search Dog in addition to their MR training. It is a huge commitment and we are extremely grateful to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic team. We couldn’t do this without our team of amazing ‘dogsbodies’ who brave the fells in all weathers, all in the name of Search Dog training and the support from the Public, whose kind donations we rely on to keep providing this crucial resource. Thank you from all of us at the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Association, we wish you a very safe and happy Christmas and a happy New Year!”
Commended: RSPB volunteers
In a competitive category, you chose to champion the volunteers who dedicate many an hour to the continuing preservation of bird and song in our skies. Emma Roberts, the RSPB’s head of volunteering engagement, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation – every single one of them helps us to achieve more for nature and we’re thrilled to see their dedication being recognised here. We’re lucky to have volunteers supporting us in so many areas of our work from practical conservation efforts through to sharing professional expertise, and have more than 13,000 volunteers donating over a million hours for nature each year, which is incredible! We’re especially pleased to see the commendation is in the category recognising those who go the extra mile – we’re immensely proud of the passion and dedication our volunteers bring to our organisation and they’re so deserving of this praise!”
Shortlisted
- Adrian Trendall – author and mountain guide at All Things Cuillin
- Brendon Prince – ocean adventurer, explorer and water safety advocate
- Emma Shipley – Mountain Leader and founder of Yorkie Talkies Outdoors
- Ian Whiteside – co-founder of Trek Therapy
- Stump up for Trees
The Open Outdoors award
Recognising individuals or groups who have inspired people to head into the outdoors, widened participation, improved outdoor education, or encouraged diversity.
Winner: Wonderful Wild Women
This Lake District community exists to inspire all women – no matter what age, experience or ability – to get outdoors. One reader praised their “ongoing and valuable work addressing the barriers that women still face in the outdoors”.
Founder Sarah Gerrish said: “Winning the Open Outdoors Award is a celebration of our entire Wonderful Wild Women community. Together, we’ve created space for women to explore, grow, and reconnect with the outdoors in adventures of all scales. We’re grateful to TGO and those who voted for recognising the power of shared adventure and the beauty of women supporting women.”
Commended: The Wild Path
The Wild Path connects people with meaningful careers in the outdoor sector with weekly newsletters showcasing opportunities across the industry, from retailers and leading brands to adventure providers, outdoor and educational centres, parks, conservation charities and sustainability-focused organisations. One reader said the “quietly impactful” organisation is “inspiring a whole new group of people to find their place outdoors – and it’s about far more than job listings. It helps people from all backgrounds see that the outdoor world isn’t just for those already in it, but for anyone who loves the natural world and wants to make a difference. It’s opened up the sector to voices that might otherwise have been overlooked, encouraging diversity and showing that there are many ways to live and work outdoors. It’s genuinely helped me understand more about what I want to do with my own career, and I’ve been telling everyone I know to subscribe.”
Ahron Peskin, Founder of The Wild Path, said: “We’re so incredibly honoured to be commended in the Open Outdoors category. The Wild Path was created to make outdoor careers more visible and accessible, in a sector where opportunities can feel fragmented, closed-off or hard to navigate. We speak to so many people who want to work in the outdoors and don’t know where to start, or struggle to see a place for themselves within the industry. This recognition reinforces the importance of opening up clearer, more inclusive pathways into outdoor careers.”
Commended: Black Scottish Adventurers
This community of adventure-lovers celebrating the great Scottish outdoors at events across the Highlands and Lowlands has been dubbed “joyous” and “great ambassadors for Scotland”.
Josh Adeyemi, founder of Black Scottish Adventurers, said: “At BSA, we are incredibly honoured to receive a commendation in the TGO Awards’ Open Outdoors category. This recognition means so much to us. Over the years, our community has worked passionately to improve representation in the outdoors, helping more people see that nature truly belongs to them. When more individuals feel welcome, valued, and connected to these landscapes, we see a growing love for the outdoors and a stronger collective commitment to protecting the natural spaces we all cherish. Huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”
Shortlisted
- All the Elements – a welcoming, collaborative community working to diversify the outdoors
- Clare Millington, @outdoorsisforeveryone – sharing the experience of those with disabilities who go outdoors
- Mercian Mountaineering Club – Birmingham based climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering club hosting meets
- Active Inclusion Network – a mission to make nature accessible to all, break down barriers, and foster inclusivity
- Opening Up the Outdoors – a collective of Changemakers committed to progressing inclusion outdoors
Outdoor personality of the year
Who has inspired you in 2025 – and who deserves to be recognised? This could be a figurehead with a longstanding commitment to the outdoors or anyone who’s achieved something extraordinary this year.
Winner: Sarah Perry
This Cumbrian fell runner and teacher recently became the women’s Backyard Ultra World Record holder, running almost 400 miles in 95 hours. Representing the UK as one of just four women out of 72 competing runners, Perry was the last woman standing, breaking the previous women’s record of 87 laps. This inspiring feat impressed our readers and won Perry 32% of the vote.
Sarah told The Great Outdoors: “It’s an honour to win Outdoor Personality of the Year. Thank you so much. My running year has been a memorable one, bookended by the Spine and The Hill. I didn’t ever imagine having a world record and I feel incredibly lucky for the opportunities that I have had this year. Looking forward to 2026, I will be returning to the world of Backyard Ultras and hope to run Dragon’s Back too.”
Commended: Alex Staniforth
This year, Alex became the first person to climb all 446 Nuttalls completely self-powered in 45 days, raising £38,000 at the time of writing for mental health support via the charity he founded, Mind Over Mountains. Alex, who has experienced mental ill health himself, as well as epilepsy, bullying and a lifelong stammer, was nominated for his continuing efforts to support young people who are struggling with their mental health – as well as his “humility” – and won 15% of the vote
Alex said he was “delighted” to be a part of the TGO Reader Awards, adding, “I want to share this commendation with all those who supported me on my 446 Challenge – who were part of the team on the ground, the ‘back office’, and everyone who donated; as with your support our charity Mind Over Mountains is able to support hundreds more people facing mental health struggles. Thank you all so much.”
Commended: Jordan Wylie MBE
This former soldier, adventurer, author, television personality, and UK National Ambassador for Army Cadets and the Combined Cadet Force was nominated for “using his platform to inspire young people and using the great outdoors to champion them.” He is currently hoping to raise £100,000 for the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK on an expedition dubbed the Antarctic Odyssey. His aim is to launch from Union Glacier base camp, skiing and towing equipment through the Heritage Range, the southernmost region of Antarctica’s towering Ellsworth Mountains, to “conquer the ultimate prize: the summit of a pristine, unclimbed peak”.
Shortlisted
- Caroline ‘SUP Lass’ Dawson – made history as the first woman to complete the 337km Amazon Challenge on a SUP
- Elsey Davis – record-setting ultrarunner who recently circumnavigated her native county, Cornwall
- Frit Tam – outdoor adventurer, filmmaker, photographer, podcaster and trans activist
- Hazel Strachan – prolific peak bagger who compleated her 13th round of Munros this year
- Mike Raine – author and podcaster who runs workshops to train future Mountain Leaders
Campaign or campaigner of the year
Campaigns or campaigners who who stand up, speak out and act on the issues that matter to walkers, from conservation champions to access heroes.
Winner: Right to Roam
Right to Roam has had a busy year continuing to organise peaceful trespasses into some of the vast areas of countryside from which the public are currently excluded. Led by botanists, ornithologists, astronomers, dancers, singers, citizen scientists, outdoors specialists and poets, the group follows the tried and tested code which governs Scotland’s right of responsible access, respecting privacy, crops and nature – all while seeking to leave a positive trace and practising deep care for the natural world: a concept it calls Wild Service. The vision is of a future countryside in which people not only enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of nature but serve as its guardians too. One reader chimed in to emphasise that it’s “so important to keep pushing for the right to access” and support the Right to Roam campaign in doing so – and 36% of voters agree!
Team Right to Roam said: “Massive thanks to the readers of TGO for voting for Right to Roam as your campaign of the year! For just over five years we’ve been fighting the cult of exclusion across England and Wales and advancing the case for bold new reform. This year has been particularly special, as the Supreme Court decided in favour of the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. We’d like to thank a certain multi-millionaire misanthrope for the attention he brought to our cause. But more importantly: all you who supported us, joined protests, wrote to your MPs, and spread the word. Now it’s all eyes on the government to make good on this crucial window of opportunity. Thanks to the efforts of generations of campaigners the past century has seen the incremental extension of our limited rights of access: first to mountains, then to moorlands, heaths and downs. Now we need to finish the job.
“It’s time the countryside reflected the modern, democratic society we’ve become. Yet the vast majority of land still remains off limits and there’s no right to access or enter most of our inland waters. That means new legislation enshrining a ‘right of responsible access’ to land and water, where access is the default and exclusion needs a good excuse! 2026 will be the year to pressure policymakers to take this simple, powerful change forward. To get there, we need you. If you can afford to donate to our work, we’d love to resource our small campaign team to work full-time. Join one of our local campaign groups to defend and extend access rights near you. Stay posted on national actions by signing up to our newsletter. Write to your MP: yes, it’s boring and they’ll likely send you a tedious reply. But it really does make a difference. Every request from an MP to DEFRA helps put access reform on their agenda. For a template, visit ‘Take Action’ on our website. There’s lots more to come in 2026. Until then, many thanks and roam free. Special shout out to Matt Staniek & Every Body Outdoors who were also commended.”
Commended: Save Windermere, Matt Staniek
“A one-man powerhouse” is how one of our readers referred to Matt Staniek, the figurehead of the Save Windermere campaign. This year, the campaign orchestrated another film release exposing the truth about what is happening to England’s largest freshwater lake in a defining moment for the fight to save Windermere from sewage destruction.
Commended: Every Body Outdoors
Every Body Outdoors, an organisation that champions access outdoors for bigger bodies through workshops and clothing that fits and is functional is “more important now than ever”, according to one reader who thinks “the board and the crew of regional volunteers deserve recognition”. Another added: “I attended an EBO weekend beginner navigation course and it really changed how I think about my place in the outdoors as a plus-sized person. I had felt very anxious and unable to participate in group activities…but this weekend helped me feel more positive, engaged and validated when participating in physical activities than I ever have.”
Co-founder Steph Wetherell said: “It’s a huge honour to be commended in this category. We’ve spent the past three years working hard to bring about change in the outdoors industry, working with brands and retailers to encourage them to expand their size offering, and providing courses and events for plus size people to gain skills and confidence in hiking, climbing, cycling and swimming. We’re the only organisation outside the USA to be working in this area, and it’s been amazing to see what a difference these events have made for building confidence. We’ve seen the direct consequences of improved access to plus size clothing and kit too – it’s opened up new activities to plus size people, and enabled them to benefit from outdoor experiences they were previously excluded from.”
Shortlisted
- Daniel Raven-Ellison, founder of Slow Ways
- Friends of Crummock
- Mary-Ann Ochota, President of CPRE, the countryside charity
- Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, co-founder of Black Trail Runners
- Will Behenna, founder of the Inclusive Paddleboarding project
Walkers’ pub of the year
Your favourite place for a post-walk pint or quality pub grub
Winner: Clachaig Inn, Glencoe
Winning just under a quarter of your plentiful votes for Britain’s best walkers’ pub this year, The Clachaig has come out on top once again as the TGO readers’ favourite post-hike watering hole. Nestled in the famous glen of impossibly craggy peaks and razor-toothed ridges, The Clachaig is a hillwalking institution. With Bidean nam Bian and Aonach Eagach on its doorstep, you’re sure to meet climbers and hikers galore sharing tales of the day’s epic adventures over the live music by the fire. “Iconic”, said one of its many supporters, with others praising the live music and the “welcoming and atmospheric welcome… a perfect end to a perfect day on the hills.”
Commended: The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale
Steeped in climbing history, the ODG is beloved by all who venture to the Langdales. In the shadow of the Pikes and a stone’s throw from swimming and photography paradise, Blea Tarn, for those who keep coming back, it is “immortal – one thing in life that never changes and long may it be so.” Many praised the good food and good company as well as “welcoming staff ready to give advice on local conditions of routes.” For one reader it came up trumps for their annual mountaineering club meet and didn’t let them down.
Commended: The Old Nags Head, Edale
Sitting at the official start of The Pennine Way in Edale, the Kinder Plateau looming large behind, The Old Nags Head has the power shared by many great pubs to take you back in time – dating back to 1577 when it was founded, to be precise. Inside you will find a warming fire, as well as several different rooms and snugs throughout the pub in which to hunker down. One reader said, “It’s a bustling, cosy, warm welcome after a day stomping around Kinder Scout.”
Shortlisted
- Kirkstile Inn, Lake District
- The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge
- The Stagger Inn, Beinglas Campsite
- The Wainwright, Keswick
- Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale
Walkers’ café of the year
Anywhere with sit-down dining, from chippies upwards
Winner: The Penny Pot Cafe, Edale
A stone’s throw from Edale station, in the heart of the Peak District, sits The Penny Pot Cafe. Nestled between Mam Tor and Kinder Scout, one reader muses: “Under Kinder – what’s not to like?!” Just under a quarter of you gave them your vote. Those who don’t know should expect log fires and blankets in winter, ice creams in summer, and a warm welcome all year round, as well as delicious coffee roasted just a few miles down the road, cakes baked in-house daily, and lunch treats from local makers.
The Penny Pot’s Jake and Nuala said: “What fantastic news! A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us. We are very lucky to be situated in the stunning Hope Valley, in the heart of the Peak District, and to welcome an enthusiastic bunch of customers with a shared love for Edale’s hills in all weathers and seasons. Thank you to our lovely customers, our hardworking team and of course the wonderful local community for their continued support. It is a real delight to be able to provide a welcome stop off for the many hikers and cyclists that pass through on their adventures. Hopefully, we will see some of you coming through next year for some great coffee and a slice of home-made cake!”
Commended: The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum
Just knocked off last year’s top spot with 20% of the vote, you still rate The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum highly. Ideally located to welcome West Highland Way walkers, the gluten-free food options and accessibility by car and foot were praised, along with the facilities for dogs, boots, and bikes. The baked goods got shout outs a-plenty, also.
Sarah Heward said: “We are delighted to once again be recognised by TGO readers as a favourite meeting and eating spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Our outstanding location in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, on the West Highland Way, make us a popular destination, but it’s the people on both sides of the counter that create the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that bring people back time and again. We thank everyone that voted for us most sincerely, and assure you that we will continue to work hard to prove you right!”
Commended: Lake Road Brunch, Keswick
Cooking up a storm on this shortlist for the first time, some of you dubbed Lake Road Brunch your go-to spot in Keswick for all things indulgent and satisfying – from coffee to salted caramel treats and cocktails! Coming out with a commendation, one voter said: “This is my absolute favourite place to get brunch after an early morning hike up a Wainwright” claiming the poached eggs and smashed avocado on sourdough with delicious chilli jam as their ‘go to’ dish.
Shortlisted
- The Fox Tor Cafe, Princetown
- Hiker Cafe, Hengistbury Head
- St Mocha Coffee Shop and Ice Cream Parlour, Balmaha
- Y Bistro Yn Yr Hebog, Beddgelert
- Yorkshire Cycle Hub, Whitby
Hostel or bunkhouse of the year
Casual accommodation catering for muddy boots
Winner: The Kettlewell Hostel
“Nothing is too much trouble for them” at The Kettlewell Hostel, according to one fan, who added: “The food is incredible; better than most restaurants with careful thinking for gluten-free and vegetarian requirements. The layout and quality of decor is brilliant and the hosts are incredible; knowledgeable about the local area and always looking out for us.”
Said exemplary hosts, Saul and Floss Ward told us: “We are so grateful to all of our guests that voted for us! We work hard to make The Kettlewell Hostel as welcoming as we can and we are so pleased that anyone would take the time to vote for us! We really appreciate it. Since we started The Kettlewell Hostel in 2015, we have been working to make a hostel, that still feels ‘hostelly’ with great communal spaces, and a drying room for muddy boots, but is altogether a bit nicer! We love staying in hostels ourselves but saw a gap in the market. We have a great menu with hearty food, we use the local butcher, baker and grocer for ingredients and make everything ourselves here in the hostel… Our 8 Hour Beef Stew with proper mash and cabbage is a year-round best seller! There is a self catering kitchen has supplies to make yourself a cup of Yorkshire Tea, and a second-hand bookshop in the hostel to browse while you are here! Kettlewell itself is a wonderful base for walking, and fell running. For those who haven’t been to visit the Yorkshire Dales, it is so beautiful, and in a day’s walking you can get up a mountain, or over into the next valley or just stroll up the river. It really is an amazing place to wake up! Hopefully, this award will help a few more people discover their favourite new place.”
Commended: Elterwater Hostel
More than one nominator credited Elterwater with having “welcoming, friendly staff” and an unbeatable location in Lakeland. Bonus points for the cleanliness which was mentioned more than once!
Antony Moore General Manager said: “We’re over the moon to be commended in the TGO Reader Awards. Elterwater has always been a place for people to escape, explore, and make memories surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District fells and lakes. We are grateful to everyone who has visited, supported us, and shared special moments here, and hugely thankful to those who nominated us and voted. It’s your warmth and enthusiasm that makes this place feel like home, and we can’t wait to welcome even more friends, old and new, through our doors in the year ahead.”
Commended: Glencoe Youth Hostel
“My first hostel and still my favourite,” said one reader who added: “The welcome is second to none and the location ideal for walking.” Others called Glencoe Youth Hostel “an absolute gem of a site boasting the best manager” while others got even more specific, noting the spaces for hanging out as well as the “pleasant room temperature, the spotless bathrooms, and the dedicated team who keep everything running so smoothly.”
Graham Sheach, Marketing Manager at Hostelling Scotland said: “We are incredibly proud that four of our Youth Hostels were shortlisted in this year’s awards, and we’re absolutely delighted that Glencoe has received a Commendation for the third year in a row. Hostelling has always been about people, and this recognition reflects the outstanding hospitality that Thomas and the team consistently provide. We would like to thank everyone who voted and hope to be able to welcome you back in the new year.”
Shortlisted
- Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
- Inversnaid Bunkhouse
- Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
- The Rocks at Plas Curig Hostel
- Torridon Youth Hostel
Campsite of the year
Celebrate excellent locations, friendly staff and great facilities
Winner: Great Langdale National Trust Campsite
Those who frequent it this National Trust campsite in Lakeland say it’s “second to none” – and it’s living up to the statement, For the second year in a row, you’ve voted this National Trust site as your winner. Why? “Awesome staff, awesome facilities, awesome location,” says one reader while another rated the facilities and the fact that there are two pubs within walking distance. See our Walker’s Pub of the Year category for more details!
“It’s fantastic news that Great Langdale has been recognised by readers as Campsite of the Year again. It takes great commitment, resilience and love of the outdoors to keep giving guests consistently great camping experiences year after year, and our remarkable team keep working hard to give guests the best possible stay with us,” said Steph Hill, Head of Operational Delivery for Outdoor Holidays at the National Trust.
Commended: Syke Farm Campsite, Buttermere
This marks the first time in recent years Syke Farm Campsite has been commended. That is not to say it is not deserving, winning just over 20% of the vote! You waxed lyrical about its surroundings, warm welcome and facilities. One reader said: “I have been camping here regularly since my first scout camp in 1963, then in a Vango Force Ten tent, and now in our campervan… It is a very special place in unbeatable surroundings.”
Commended: Red Squirrel Campsite, Glen Coe
Many of you nominated the Red Squirrel Campsite, a true fan favourite, again this year. With a dipping spot on site, you don’t have to venture far from the site to feel connected to the mountains. From family camping holidays to solo trips exploring the surrounding Munros, “Matt and Sandi have turned this place in to an amazing spot,” said one. Another added, “It’s a place where kids are safe and memories are made.”
“Thank you to our amazing guests who voted and to our fantastic team who keep the campsite running and looking its best,” said beloved managers, Matt and Sandi.
Shortlisted
- Braemar Campsite
- Cannich Woodland Camping and Caravan Park, Beauly
- Draughton Heights, Dales Highway
- Housedean Farm Campsite, South Downs
- Pitch and Hike, Capel Curig
Walker’s app of the year
Anything you use on your mobile device to aid your outdoor adventures
Winner: OS Maps
Claiming the top spot for the ninth year in a row, the OS Maps app must be running out of space in its trophy cabinet. The navigation app from Ordnance Survey secured a whopping 46% of the public vote – a convincing victory.
OS’s Managing Director for Leisure, Nick Giles OBE, said: “What an honour it is to learn that readers of The Great Outdoors voted OS Maps for Walker’s App of the Year for 2026 – made even more special that this marks our ninth consecutive win! It means so much to us because their opinion is true endorsement of OS Maps. Again, this has only been possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of the talented team working behind the scenes here at OS. They strive to make this app the best it can possibly be every year. We’ll be aiming to continue improving it for 2026.”
Commended: Walk Highlands
“Essential for walking in Scotland”, said one champion of the Walk Highlands app. Another claimed they “have explored areas I would never have thought of on paths I would never have found thanks to this app!”
Walk Highlands founders, Helen and Paul Webster said: “As a completely free app being judged against big commercial competitors, we’re thrilled to have been commended by TGO readers, especially with all the knowledge and expertise they have about the outdoors.”
Commended: AllTrails
AllTrails, the app that provides trail maps with reviews and photos crowd-sourced from a community of over 75 million trail-goers, is commended in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2026. The community feedback and ease of use was the overwhelming praise given to the AllTrails app this year.
The AllTrails Team said they are “continually inspired by our UK members’ dedication to the outdoors and the walks they take with AllTrails. This year alone, they spent more than 9 million hours exploring trails all over the world, exactly what our app was designed to support. Thank you, TGO readers, for continuing to explore with AllTrails.”
Shortlisted
Outdoor book of the year
Guidebooks, memoirs, photographic books, and even outdoor-oriented novels are all valid
Winner: The Search: The Life of a Mountain Rescue Search Dog Team by Paul Besley
The second praise for a Mountain Rescue Search dog and handler in this year’s awards, Paul Besley’s book won 23% of your votes after being shortlised by readers. Incidentally, it was one of our co-editor Francesca Donovan’s favourite books of the year, too. She called it “more film noir” than whimsical outdoor nature book and dubbed it a thrilling but moving read. Paul told TGO: “I am thrilled to receive the award from readers. It is a great honour to know the book is so well received.”
Commended: One Woman Walks Europe by Ursula Martin
One fan of Ursula Martin’s second walking epic said: “It is great, honest writing. She makes taking a really long walk seem achievable and normal!” In One Woman Walks Europe, an eagerly-awaited follow up to One Woman Walks Wales, Ursula undertakes an epic test of stamina and will, walking 5500 miles over two years, starting in Kyiv and crossing Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain and the UK. She brings to life the challenging landscapes and people she meets, and tests her limitations, confronting her traumatic childhood, unsuitable relationships and life-changing illness, realising how much she needs community, while pushing it away.
Ursula told The Great Outdoors: “Writing about walking across Europe has sometimes felt like as much of an endurance challenge as the journey itself. It feels fantastic to have positive feedback about the book, after so much solitary effort, and I’m really grateful to everyone who voted.”
Commended: Walk Britain: 90 Inspirational Car-free Walks in England, Scotland and Wales by Elise Downing
This beautiful guidebook is an inspirational collection of 90 walking routes accessible by public transport which can enable you to see the best of Britain. One reader said: “Elise’s voice (and love of a good cake stop!) is a joy to read and the book completely changes the conception that you need a car to access amazing outdoor adventures.”
Author Elise Downing told The Great Outdoors: “I’m so excited and grateful that Walk Britain has been commended by TGO readers – thank you! I truly believe that Britain is one of the best place to have an adventure, and that’s the main thing I wanted to get across in the book. There’s so much packed into a small space and the fact you can access a lot of it by public transport is pretty unique.”
Shortlisted
- Adventures on the Water: The Power of Paddleboarding to Change Lives by Jo Moseley
- The Hidden Seasons: The Inspirational Guide to Navigating Nature’s Clues and Signs by Tristan Gooley
- Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
- The Path She Runs by Jen Benson
- Peak Bagging Munros Volume 1 by Nicola Hardy
Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
On the big screen or on YouTube, outdoor films and filmmakers help us connect with the great outdoors even when we can’t be there ourselves.
Winner: Alastair Lee, BritRock Films
You nominated this “UK climbing videographer extraordinaire” and BritRock founder for his adventurous spirit and keen eye for capturing a gnarly-looking route. Not to be confused with the disposable ‘adrenaline’ fuelled clips that dominate social media Alastair’s work is born of a deep understanding and respect for the mountain world where a genuine passion and will to preserve these extraordinary environments is at the core of BritRock.
Speaking to TGO after we shared the news of his win with 20% of the vote, Al joked: “The people have spoken! Thank-you so much, what a lovely surprise. I’ll keep going then.”
Commended: Kris Gleave
Of Kris, one reader said: “An outdoor filmmaker at heart, Kris uses his YouTube channel to create films that do more than document routes or showcase landscapes. His work tells human stories: of connection, of resilience, and of the transformative power of the outdoors.” One noted his openness about his depression and added, “For his authenticity, creativity, and unwavering impact, Kris is a truly deserving nominee for Outdoor Filmmaker of the Year.”
Kris said: “I was genuinely surprised and really happy to be nominated for Outdoor Filmmaker of the Year, and to be commended means a lot. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. Hiking has always been something I’ve loved. It’s taken me on so many adventures, from bagging Wainwrights to long distance hikes and challenges, and even abroad where I completed the Tour du Mont Blanc in under five days. But for me it’s been more than the miles. Getting outside has been essential for my mental health, and I’ve seen firsthand how much it helps others too. The impact we can have on our community is massive, and that’s one of the best parts of making these videos. Knowing the content inspires people to get out there keeps me inspired to keep creating and keep exploring. Thank you again for all the support. It means the world.”
Commended: Skinny – Sara Barnes and Emily Cartigny
The result of three women coming together and dubbed a “beautiful story about friendship, older women in the outdoors and being brave enough to try and make your dreams come true at every age”, Skinny has been commended in this year’s awards.
Scriptwriter Sara Barnes said, “Skinny began life as me holding out my hand to help a friend, Jo Moseley, fulfil a dream and skinny dip for the first time at 60. Thanks to Emily Cartigny for accepting the challenge to turn a simple but important moment into something so special. We never dreamt we’d become naked film stars in our early 60s!”
Shortlisted
- Dear Heart – Sara Barnes and Emily Barnard
- George – Jacob Tonkin and James Appleton
- The North – Bart Schrijver
- Roxanna Barry
Independent retailer of the year
Retailers who operate independently, with five or fewer stores.
Winner: Skedaddle, Speyside
A first-time winner, 22% of you voted for Skedaddle for its “innovative community spirit, great collaborations, and mission to educate customers as well as inspire.” One added: “They even started their own 10k race!”
Sally Bruce, on behalf of the whole Skedaddle team, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award which is testament to the hard work of the small team we have here at Skedaddle Speyside. To receive the news during the week of our second birthday since opening was fantastic. We opened the store with the idea of making it a community focused hub and to encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to get active in the outdoors. I was amazed to discover our customers had nominated us but lost for words when I heard we had won. Thank you to all our customers who have taken us to where we are today!”
Commended: Needle Sports, Keswick
On Keswick’s Main Street, this climbing gear specialist stocks everything from maps to trekking poles and harnesses – the quality of which you appreciate – as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience from staff.
Trev Sudby said: “Needle Sports has always had a policy of only employing experienced climbers so that customers may be sure of speaking to shop staff who understand and are sympathetic to their needs. However the shop is not just about climbing – all our staff are experienced hill-walkers too and much of our stock is as relevant to hill-walking as it is to climbing. In fact we stock just about everything you need for climbing mountains, be it Everest, El Cap or Cat Bells. Of great concern to us is that the shop, while offering the best equipment and the best advice available, should not appear elitist, and should provide a welcoming environment for all climbers whatever their experience and ability. We were all beginners once and we never stop learning about the mountains.”
Commended: Crib Goch Outdoor Shop, Llanberis
With “brilliant staff and service’, this shop in the heart of Eryri won 16% of your vote this year. Stocking quality outdoor clothing built to last from the likes of Buffalo, Paramo, Fjallraven and more, there’s something for every North Walian adventurer who walks through these doors, with competitive prices to boot.
Shortlisted
- Crickhowell Adventure
- Foothills, Sheffield
- Outside, Hathersage
- Tamarack Outdoors, Lancashire
- Trekitt, Hereford
Chain retailer of the year
Outdoor retailers with six or more stores.
Winner: Cotswold Outdoor
Founded in 1974, Cotswold Outdoor is the recommended retailer for the National Trust and the Ramblers with 79 shops across the United Kingdom. Commended in last year’s awards but this year taking the top spot with 29% of the reader vote, one said this chain is “consistently the best”.
Commended: GO Outdoors
A close runner up with 28% of the reader vote, one fan said “nothing else comes near” to GO Outdoors in terms of stock and pricing, while others credited the chain retailer for its partnerships with The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), the Scouts Association and Girlguiding. With over 120 stores and more than 600 leading brands across 20 different activities, GO Outdoors is the UK’s biggest outdoor retailer, offering a wide range of products to suit all abilities.
Steve Knights, CEO of GO Outdoors, comments: “At GO Outdoors, we deliver expert advice, unbeatable choice, and great value. We believe in the benefits of outdoor exploration for both physical and mental wellbeing, and for us, it’s about making the outdoors accessible to everyone in the UK. From anglers to campers, climbers, cyclists, equestrians, hikers, runners and more, everyone is welcome – and there’s something for everyone! We employ thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and product experts, trained in things like boot and rucksack fitting, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service to anyone who enters our doors. Our GO Outdoors Members’ card unlocks exclusive prices across departments, and our website makes all our products accessible at the tap of a finger. As part of our commitment to the community, GO Outdoors has long-standing partnerships with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, The Scout Association and Girlguiding, helping us inspire and equip younger generations to develop lifelong passions for outdoor exploration.”
Commended: Mountain Warehouse
Mountain Warehouse offers” great value” and a good “plus size range”, according to one reader. Founded in 1997 by Mark Neale; Mountain Warehouse has grown from a single outlet store to over 330 stores in the UK, Europe, New Zealand and North America. Our readers also applauded the excellent customer service and said the stores offer great value.
Mark Neale, Mountain Warehouse Founder and CEO said: “We’re proud to be recognised in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2026. This commendation reflects the passion and commitment of our teams across the business, and we’d like to thank our customers for choosing us time and time again.”
Shortlisted
Online retailer of the year
Your favourite places to buy gear, maps and books online.
Winner: Ultralight Outdoor Gear
For the third year in a row, almost a quarter of you voted Ultralight Outdoor Gear as your online retailer of the year! “Ultralight Outdoor Gear stands out as my favourite place to buy outdoor equipment online because of their exceptional knowledge, passion, and commitment to the outdoors. The customer service is consistently excellent. Beyond just retail, Ultralight Outdoor Gear promotes responsible adventure and contributes to a stronger outdoor community by encouraging sustainable choices and thoughtful exploration,” one reader enthused.
A spokesperson for UOG said: “As a small specialist retailer, it’s amazing to be recognised by our customers for the third year running and just as we enter our 20th anniversary year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.”
Commended: AlpineTrek
Credited for its “great range and frequent sales on good gear”, AlpineTrek won 18% of the vote this year, earning its way back onto the commended list after missing out on a spot last year. Specialising in high quality high quality outdoor gear for climbing, mountaineering and winter sports, you rate its reliable delivery service and fantastic customer service.
Commended: Vertebrate Publishing
A first time for Vertebrate, this book publisher also won 18% of the vote. One reader complimented the “excellent selection of adventure books available online and great mailing list with discounts.”
Lorna Brogan, Marketing Manager, said: “At Vertebrate Publishing we publish books to inspire adventure. It’s our rule that the only books we publish are those that we’d want to read or use ourselves. We endeavour to bring you beautiful books that stand the test of time and that you’ll be proud to have on your bookshelf for years to come. The Peak District was the inspiration behind our first books. Our offices are situated on its doorstep, minutes away from world-class climbing, biking and hillwalking. We’re driven by our own passion for the outdoors, for exploration, and for the natural world; it’s this passion that we want to share with our readers. We aim to inspire everyone to get out there. We want to connect readers – young and old – with the outdoors and the positive impact it can have on well-being. We think it’s particularly important that young people get outside and explore the natural world, something we support through our publishing programme. As well as publishing award-winning new books, we’re working to make available many out-of-print classics in both print and digital formats. These are stories that we believe are unique and significant; we want to make sure that they continue to be shared and enjoyed.”
Shortlisted
Outdoor clothing and equipment brand of the year
Gear brands with consistently high-quality, good-value kit or with commendable customer service.
Winner: Alpkit
You rate the brand that goes nice places and does good things for its “consistently good quality at consistently good prices”, the members porgramme and the friendly staff in stores across the UK. The brand has also shown longterm dedication to plus size clothing at affordably accessible prices.
David Hanney, CEO of Alpkit, said: “Winning Brand of the Year means everything to us because it comes from the TGO readers, real enthusiasts who head out in all weathers and use our kit for the reason it was designed. Alpkit is founded on friendship and a love of mountains – which is something that still defines us today. Knowing this resonates with the TGO readers — that’s the real reward – and we’re proud to be Brand of The Year.”
Commended: Rab
“There’s not much you can’t say about Rab. Great clothing and fantastic prices tailored to the outdoor enthusiast. It’s a brand that is also pushing the envelope to a cleaner and more thoughtful way of clothing production,” said one reader.
“We feel genuinely honoured by the trust TGO readers continue to show in Rab. Their support drives us to maintain our commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, creating gear that performs reliably so people can focus on what matters most – their time in the mountains,” said Trudi Boswell, Head of Marketing at Rab.
Commended: Patagonia
Our readers commended the ethics of Patagonia, the self-described designer of outdoor clothing and gear for the silent sports: climbing, surfing, skiing and snowboarding, fly fishing, and trail running. Founded by climber Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is now synonymous with high-quality, durable gear and a deep commitment to environmental activism, structured as it is as a benefit corporation with the planet as its only shareholder.
Writing in the Work in Progress Report 2025, Yvon Chouinard said: “Patagonia is not perfect by any means. We do not have all the answers, but the fear of getting things wrong in the process cannot stop us from trying to get things right in the end. We have work ahead of us to reach the full potential of our business structure, prove this experiment works and explain why it matters to our employees and community.”
Shortlisted
There are two parts to The Great Outdoors Awards. This article announces the shortlist for the Reader Awards, which have been nominated by our readers and the outdoor public at large across 15 categories. The other part of The Great Outdoors Awards is the Gear of the Year awards which recognises the best and most innovative outdoor gear as selected by expert judges.
