Orienteering

Orienteering can be as adventurous or as difficult as you decide to make it. At its most basic level, orienteering is trying to navigate yourself betwen two points, using a map, a compass and your sense of direction! Usually done on foot, it can be done in a small family group or you can split into teams and race each other to the destination. The aim of the expedition can be as simple as completing a route for a bit of fun, or as daring as a cross country treck with time the essence of the challenge!

The way you choose to travel is also entirely up to you. Most people like to take in the atmosphere of the surroundings and have a gentle stroll betwee the points, but you obviously can't do this if you're in a race!! Orienteering is most often associated with the countryside, with woodland forests being the most popular detsination. But there are no rules, and as long as you have permission to walk the land, try and be adventurous and different by choosing totally new sites. It doesn't even have to be in the countryside either, with many towns and cities providing urban pathways and parks for you to explore.

There are clubs right throughout the country that offer orienteering events that are organised with a set destination in mind. The organisers supply you with a map which are highly informative and mark every obstacle you are likely to encounter. The aim of these events are normally to get from A to B in the optimum time, but you and the family can take it as just a stroll in the forest if you wish. 

You don't have to stick to walking or jogging either. You can experience just as much fun on a bike or even a car if the distance is long enough! The key thing is to relax and judge the map correctly, or you may find yourself scrambling off the beaten track which can get rather messy. Briatin is one of the leading countries in this family activity. The British Orienteering list information for new comers to help explain the basics and also provide you with inforomation about local clubs.

For anyone new to Orienteering, click here to find a quick guide about your local clubs and what orienteering actually entails. There are 120 associations throughout the UK each offering an extensive range of clubs within their constituency. Click here to find your local club.