Orienteering is an outdoor sport for all ages and abilities. There are courses for everyone, ranging from short, easy courses for children to technical courses of 10km or more for the top runners. 

Experienced competitors will run round on their own. Others will take a gentle stroll, and some will even go in small groups. Personally, I share my time between walking, running and getting lost. The more advanced courses take around 60-90 minutes to complete, depending on the distance and your level of skill.  

Everyone is welcome, and there will always be people around who can explain what to do. We are very keen to attract new recruits, so people will be pleased to see you. The first thing you do when you arrive at an event is go to the event tent, and you can let them know it’s your first time. There will also be volunteers in high vis ready to help people out. You’ll be given all the information you need, and here’s some background in advance. 

How do I join an event?

Find a course near you, or join us at Lanhydrock, Cornwall, on 9 February 2025. There are also local clubs you can join.

What is orienteering?

At the start, competitors are given a map with a course on. This course is a series of checkpoints (‘controls’), which you need to visit in order. The aim is to get round all your controls in the fastest time. 

Each control is a white and orange flag with an electronic sensor. Everyone wears an electronic tag on their finger, which records when you reach the control. These tags are known as dibbers and are easy to hire – you tick the ‘hire dibber’ box when you enter online, and you will be shown how to use it at the event.  

The sport is a test of navigation as well as speed, so isn’t necessarily won by the fastest runners. It is still satisfying for anyone who prefers to walk. The beauty of the sport is being out in the countryside using your body and mind – planning your route, taking notice of what’s around you, and going at your own pace. For me, the best part is the analysis afterwards when I discuss my route choice with family, friends and new aquaintences.

What happens at the start?

There isn’t a mass start – all competitors are set off at least a minute apart. 

When you arrive at the event you will be directed to the start, where a volunteer will give you instructions. Other than the children’s courses, you will only be given the map as you start. So you don’t get any time to look at it before the clock is running! Don’t rush though – it is wise to take your time navigating to the first control. One of the joys of orienteering is that everyone sets off separately, so you don’t have to worry about what your competitors are doing. Nobody knows if you are going in the right or wrong direction, because they don’t know which course you’re on.

What is the map like?

Orienteering maps can seem confusing at first glance, but you quickly get used to them. 

They are very different to OS maps. They are a much finer scale (often 1:7,500 or 1:10,000) and have more detail. The use of colours and symbols is also different, as you’ll see from this key [sorry, they haven’t yet updated the gendered language of ‘man-made’, but it’s an inclusive sport, really!].

You can find sample maps for different levels of difficulty in Plymouth’s Central Park and Coombe Hill Wood in Somerset.  

Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club has an excellent introduction to doing an Orange course (see below for information about course colours). 

Which course should I choose?

The courses have colour codes, and here they are in increasing length and difficulty. The distances and amount of climb will be listed on the entry page, but please note these are straight-line distances, so in reality you will be going further, particularly on the harder courses.

White: ideal for young children. Entirely on paths or tracks.

Yellow: slightly longer and harder than white, so ideal for children who are learning independence. Entirely on paths or tracks.

Orange: for experienced children, and teen and adult beginners. The controls will be on or close to paths. 

Light green: for adult/teen improvers and adventurous adult beginners. This is quite a challenge for a newcomer, so only attempt it if you’ve had a good look at an orienteering map beforehand and don’t mind spending some time getting lost. 

Short green: this is the maximum difficulty but a relatively short course. It avoids the most difficult terrain, so is ideal for skilled people who are older or injured. 

Green, blue, brown: these are the maximum difficulty, so ideal for experienced adults. The only difference is the length.

Read more on the Devon Orienteering website. 

What should I wear?

The serious competitors on the advanced courses will be wearing leggings, a long-sleeved t-shirt and running shoes with good grip. Long trousers are compulsory because of the undergrowth, and for light green courses and above you may also want to wear leg protection such as gaiters. If you’re walking, you’re fine to wear walking trousers or jeans instead of leggings, and any suitable outdoor footwear. If it is raining heavily, cagoules may be compulsory. 

For all but the easiest courses, you will need a compass. For most courses you will also need a whistle to attract attention if you are injured (a very rare occurrence!). 

Should I do the course alone or in a group?

I recommend doing the course alone. It is hard to keep a good contact with the terrain if you are sharing the map reading with someone else. That said, some people feel more confident in a pair for their first time. You may want to both enter the event so you get a map each. You can let the organisers know at the start that you are going round together.

Some families also go as groups. We encourage children to do the easier courses themselves – this is a good way to learn independence in a safe setting. If they are very young, it is sensible if an adult shadows them. If you do go as a family group, please be mindful of other competitors. You won’t be popular if your child runs ahead and shouts ‘I’ve found it!’. 

The organisers take great care about everyone’s safety, and won’t leave until everyone is known to have finished safely. If you choose to retire, make sure you report to the event tent to confirm that you have returned.

What do I do if I get lost?

Depending on the course you choose, you may find that you spend some time now knowing where you are on the map. In that situation, a good option is to go back to the last point you knew where you were. You can also look around you to see if you can identify distinctive features that you can match up with the map. Fences, walls and larger paths, for example, are often obvious on the map. If you really can’t find yourself, a fellow competitor can help you out.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Sadly not, but TrailO is a related sport that is accessible to anyone with wheelchairs or pushchairs. 

Learn more from the British Orienteering Federation: