Southern 50 2026 registration opens soon!
The annual Southern 50 is a prestigious challenge hike, one of the longest running events of its type in Scouting.
It’s a navigation event in the Chiltern Hills every year since 1980, through the counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, organised by Greater London North Scout County.
There are three routes: 50 miles and 50kms open to all, and a 30kms route exclusively for Explorer Scouts.
The event is a test of good orienteering skills as well as physical ability and teamwork, and unlike other well-known hikes the routes are different each year and so local knowledge will not be of help as the route will not be disclosed until the day of the event. All teams therefore start with exactly the same chance of winning a trophy.
Like any other long-distance challenge, the effort required to last the full course and receive a finishing certificate is an achievement.
Many like to return to have another crack at the trophy or just to improve on their time. Whatever the reason, you will enjoy our challenge and, we are sure, find the event very rewarding.
Registration opens 1st November 2025 and closes at midnight on 31st January 2026.
Entries are subject to event capacity, and we strongly suggest not leaving it too late!
The entry fee for this year’s event is £125 + £7.50 booking fee per team, regardless of whether there are three, four or five participants, and includes the following:
- Indoor accommodation on Friday and Saturday night
- Cooked meals for Saturday breakfast and evening meal, and Sunday breakfast
- Drinks and snacks at most checkpoints
- Transport (where necessary)
- Communications and administration
- Certificates and individual trophies for the winners.
For full details and updates see https://southern50.org/