We received a huge number of exciting nominations for the public-voted categories of this year’s Awards. Here are the shortlists – now’s your chance to have a say in who wins.

Every year since 2012, The Great Outdoors Awards have recognised the people, places and organisations that help us all get the most out of our time in the hills.

Public nominations opened this summer and have now closed. We’ve been sorting through your nominations and the shortlists are now ready. Scroll down to read them.

Every year we receive hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes, providing a fascinating insight into the innovations taking place across the outdoors and the service providers who are really pushing the boat out. As always, we’ve found your comments and remarks particularly uplifting. There’s a real sense of hillwalkers coming together to celebrate everything that’s good in our outdoor culture.

There have been a few surprises in the nominations this year too. As always, the ‘extra mile’ category, introduced in 2017, was perhaps the most interesting, featuring people (and teams) who have made a tangible difference and created positive change.

Voting is now open – click here to vote.

Voting closes on November 20. Please share this page on social media to help as many people as possible learn about our Awards. The more votes we receive, the more representative the results will be.

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The shortlists for The 2019 Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards, which represent the best in this year’s outdoor clothing, equipment, and tech, will be announced soon. The winners of these will be decided be a panel of expert judges. 

Reader Awards 2019 – the complete shortlists

Contents

Walkers’ pub of the year

Your favourite place for a post-walk pint or quality pub grub.

Walkers’ café or restaurant of the year

Anywhere with sit-down dining, from chippies upwards.

Hostel or bunkhouse of the year

Casual accommodation catering for muddy boots.

Campsite of the year

Celebrate excellent locations, friendly staff and great facilities.

Walkers’ app of the year

Anything you use on your mobile device to aid your outdoor adventures.

Outdoor personality of the year

Who has inspired you in 2019?

Outdoor book of the year

Guidebooks, memoirs, novels, photographic books…

Campaign or campaigner of the year

Those who stand up, speak out and act on the issues that matter to walkers.

Independent retailer of the year

Retailers who operate independently, with five or fewer stores.

Chain retailer of the year

Outdoor retailers with six or more stores.

Online retailer of the year

Your favourite places to buy gear, maps and books online.

Outdoor clothing or equipment brand of the year

Gear brands with consistently high-quality, good-value kit or with commendable customer service.

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.

  • Alexander ‘Sandy’ Maxwell, John Muir Trust, “a genuine unsung hero who inspires and connects hundreds of people each year to wildness”
  • Corwen Walking Festival Team, for “the amazing effort and work they put in to making the festival a success”
  • Edale Mountain Rescue Team, a “fantastic bunch of selfless volunteers”
  • Greg and Helen Barclay, Saddle Mountain Hostel, “expert hikers, very welcoming, friendly, helpful, with a library of maps, books and TGO mags!”
  • Hyndburn Ramblers, “so welcoming and encouraging”
  • Iona Rendall, “for starting a thriving local walking group in Edinburgh to encourage everyone of all abilities to get outside”
  • Liz Redmayne of Crag Farm, Ennerdale, “a volunteer with Wild Ennerdale from the beginning, now in her ’80s, Liz still comes out and volunteers regularly”
  • Matthew Kettlewell, for “his fundraising and raising awareness for mental health and how the outdoors helps”
  • Nirmal Purja and his team from Project Possible, “willingly risking their lives and putting their world-record project on hold to make multiple life-saving rescue attempts on various 8,000m mountains”
  • Sarah Jane Douglas, “for her incredible fundraising achievements in aid of Marie Curie”

Voting is now open – click here to vote.

Header image © Duncan Andison / Shutterstock