LEARN ABOUT ALL HIGHLANDER FORMATS

Embark on a 1-Day and 14 mile long wilderness challenge!

Escape the digital chaos and immerse yourself in nature's embrace within the diverse San Bernardino National Forest. This adventure invites you to hike throughout the mountains and atop ridgelines, pushing your physical limits under the HIGHLANDER spirit.

The trail will demand your athletic prowess, but with proper preparation and the right mindset, you will conquer it.

Rest easy knowing logistical support, food rations, water, and even medical and Search and Rescue assistance are all provided. Experience the thrill of terrain, challenge your boundaries, and experience so much more than a day of fitness anywhere else could do for you, in just one unforgettable day!

Named after the harmonious lyre in Greek mythology, the Lyra symbolizes balance and harmony, traits mirrored in this adventure. This 1-day quest is designed for audacious souls and adventure seekers with limited time on their hands.

As the shortest overnight format, HIGHLANDER Orion will take you to a 19 mile long route during 2 days.

Leave your worries behind for a weekend as you escape to 19 miles of mountain trails with HIGHLANDER Orion.

It will take you just a few hours of driving to escape the vibrant cities of Southern California to come to one of America's most accessible mountain destinations: Big Bear Lake. This idyllic alpine town is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, backpackers, and families looking for a weekend adventure in the open air or simply an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Breathtaking nature, tranquil hideaways, and the Adventure of a Lifetime await when you venture into the untamed wilderness around Big Bear Lake. You will enjoy the scenery seen in classic movies, such as Gone with the Wind and Heidi.

This adventure is ideal if you want to complete your backpacking adventure over one spectacular weekend.

This 2-day and 1-night HIGHLANDER format allows you to experience the HIGHLANDER spirit and inspires you to continue the backpacking lifestyle. Over two days, you will explore part of the San Bernardino Mountains and camp out under the starry California sky.

Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky.

HIGHLANDER Pegasus, a 3-day backpacking Adventure of a Lifetime, takes you through 35 miles of unforgettable trails.

A 3-day backpacking adventure in Big Bear's magical late spring scenery will take you through 35 miles of new horizons.

If you want to challenge yourself while enjoying nature and socializing with the backpacking community – this is the format for you! On this 3-day journey, you will spend three days admiring the visual splendor of towering pines and sleep two nights in the serenity of nature at our designated campsites.

Even though Big Bear Lake is a two-hour drive from Los Angeles and three hours from San Diego – many trails in the Valley are somewhat of hidden gems. While the lake called Big Bear Lake is certainly the focus of town, we'll show you the rarely visited trails, creeks, and even a hidden lake.

All year round, Big Bear Lake offers larger-than-life adventures in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains for winter and summer sports enthusiasts, as well as harbor for city dwellers to relax and enjoy the beauty of the picturesque vistas. Big Bear is home to one of the nation's few solar observatories and alpine zoos for injured wildlife.

During these three days and two nights, you will make life-long memories hiking through Big Bear Valley with us.

This format is named after a constellation in the northern sky, named after the winged horse Pegasus in Greek mythology. It is easily recognizable because it is dominated by a prominent asterism known as the Great Square.

HIGHLANDER Hercules is a 5-day and 4-night backpacking adventure with a total of 57 hiking miles.

Explore 57 miles of South California's favorite outdoor destination known for its awe-worthy nature like never before – through a 5-day backpacking festival!

Approximately a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake is the perfect outdoor location for a good reason. Its shimmering lake, enchanted forest, and endless blue sky are the perfect backdrop for your Adventure of a Lifetime.

Wildlife flourishes in Big Bear's alpine environment. The towering forests are home not only to the majestic bald eagles but also to bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and numerous other species. About 29 species of rare plants, ten indigenous to the area, are protected in the Big Bear Valley.

You will complete this stellar adventure in five days, with four nights spent campinh in our designated campsites under the most amazing starry skies. Shake up your routine and get out of the city to find your better self in the heart of Big Bear Lake.

HIGHLANDER Hercules got its name after the Roman mythological hero adapted from the Greek hero Heracles. It is also the second-largest northern constellation.

HIGHLANDER Ursa Major takes you on a 5-day backpacking journey that covers a total of 82 miles of varied and technical terrain and reaches several peaks within the Big Bear Valley.

Step into the ultimate backpacking experience. This format is reserved for the most extreme backpackers who are truly ready to undertake this type of challenge.

Since you will be backpacking for about 82 miles during 5 days, this challenge prerequisite past experience needed to sign up. Specifically, within the previous 2 years, Ursa Major contenders must:
- Have previous long distance multi-day hiking experience of 5+ days (e.g. PCT, CDT, Appalachian Trail, etc.), Spartan Ultra (finisher), Spartan Trail or any other Trail Race greater than 50 miles (finisher) or HIGHLANDER Hercules (finisher).

You will backpack your way around Big Bear Lake, visiting the highest peaks and the deepest valleys. The terrain’s toughness will leave you breathless, and the views will take your breath away. Test your endurance on different terrains - from alpine forests to high desert cacti.

Through this trail you'll put your body through the ultimate fitness challenge that will also change your mental state and make you appreciate the simple things in life.

This challenge will not be a walk in the park. It's an Adventure of a Lifetime reserved only for those physically ready to take it on.

The following will be required of all Ursa Major participants. All participants must arrive prepared to be semi-autonomous throughout the hike. Semi-autonomous means:
- Carrying a sufficient amount of water without the option to refill using a water filtration device at a natural water source (if sources are available-they are extremely limited, which increases the amount of water you must carry from the start each day).
- Able to navigate yourself through the entire route without relying on markings set by the organization
- Carrying the course loaded in a mapping program (i.e. Gaia or Caltopo) on a fully charged mobile device plus 1 fully charged extra battery pack each day
- Carrying the mandatory gear set by the organization specifically for Ursa Major hikers at all times
- Departing camp each morning no later than 7:00 AM
- Attending the mandatory pre-event briefing
- Being aware of and following all rules set by the organization.

*The organizer reserves the right to deny participation in this format at their discretion and for any reason.

HIGHLANDER Ursa Major is the largest northern constellation and its name in Latin means 'greater bear'.