Boxing Day – the traditional day to get outside for a family adventure

Why not work off the Christmas turkey and pud on a Permanent or Virtual (GPS/Smartphone) Orienteering Course during the festive season? 

Whether you are visiting family, friends, or staying at home find a Permanent Orienteering Course near you and explore somewhere different.  Just download a map and enjoy a family adventure together this festive season. 

A Permanent Orienteering Course is the perfect way for getting active, enjoying the scenery and green spaces with your family, or a chance to get outdoors for a competitive time trial. The combination of physical and mental exercise often in stunning locations is like no other, as you can find, navigate and complete courses at any time, at your own pace.

Your mission is to reach checkpoints or 'controls' marked on a special orienteering map, and the skill and fun come from trying to find the best route to take. There are courses ideal for beginners as well as for the more experienced. Go in your time, Go at your pace, Go discover a whole new world of adventure in parks, green spaces, and urban areas across the UK, and GoOrienteering!

Some Permanent Orienteering Courses also have QR codes on the markers and have also been set up as virtual courses, which used together with a downloadable app on a smartphone, can produce timings and course results which you can upload later.

This video introduces how to use a Permanent Orienteering Course, and shows you some handy tips on getting started.

You just need to download a map using our handy course finder to get you started!

If you enjoy Permanent Orienteering Courses, you may want to try a local club event, where electronic controls are placed out on individual, unique courses (from easy to hard) – find out more about your local club and Orienteering events here.

Tell us about your outdoor adventure.  We want to hear from all those taking part in Go Orienteering this festive season.  Don't forget to take photos and share them on the British Orienteering’s Facebook page and Twitter account or email:  info@britishorienteering.org.uk

Happy Orienteering!