Orienteering is an outdoor sport that involves participants following a course marked on a map and finding their way to a series of checkpoints. It is up to participants to decide which way to go, which is all part of the fun and sets it apart from just a walk or run.
With current guidelines such as social distancing and restrictions on numbers limiting some sports, orienteering is very well placed to offer a family-friendly adventurous challenge for all ages and abilities. From courses with permanent markers to discover to virtual courses that you can complete with your smartphone or GPS watch, there has never been a better time to start your next outdoor adventure with orienteering.
Orienteering Courses in stunning locations
Permanent Orienteering Courses
Permanent Orienteering Courses are exactly that - permanent. Checkpoints to discover are in the form of posts or plaques, in forests, heathland, parks, and green spaces across the UK. A Permanent Orienteering Course is the perfect opportunity right now for getting active, enjoying the scenery and stunning locations with your family. You can also try a course as part of your training routine. Courses can be completed at any time, and at your own pace. You just need to download a map either from the British Orienteering website or your local orienteering club and away you go!
Virtual Orienteering Courses
Some clubs have also developed these virtually, so you can simply complete courses with your smartphone or GPS watch. Check out our virtual orienteering page for more information.
Orienteering Courses are great for…
British Orienteering and orienteering clubs around the UK are working together to promote Permanent and Virtual Orienteering Courses as a way of discovering the outdoors in a socially distanced way.
For more information and how to find a course click here.
A video has just been released by the Orienteering Foundation, a charity supporting orienteering in the UK, explaining how to get started on a Permanent Orienteering Course.
If you want to talk about how you can experience orienteering or how you can get involved, click here to find your local club.
Have you seen the wide range of FREE downloadable resources and activities to do at home, in your garden, or in local green spaces? More are added all of the time - so keep looking! Find out more and access the resources and activities here.