Bored with the same old trail loops? Want to add a mental challenge to your routine? Test your stamina and smarts with orienteering. Invented by the Swedes as a military training exercise, orienteering pairs athletic ability with navigational skill.
In a typical orienteering event, participants must navigate around a series of checkpoints using only a map and compass (no GPS allowed!) You can join orienteering events solo or with a group, and race others across the finish line.
Looking for a new challenge? Here's what to know to get started orienteering.
Who participates in orienteering events?
At most local events, you’ll find people of all athletic abilities and ages, competing individually, in pairs, or in teams. And while you’ll always find serious contenders, most people are out there for fun.
Competitors set off at timed intervals, rather than following the crowd, and you can compete solo, in pairs, or as a team. At larger events, you will be among several hundred other participants out in the forest, mountains, or parkland, but for the most part, you or your team will be out there alone.
What are basic orienteering skills?
The winners are the fastest to complete the course, but you don’t have to be a mega athlete to compete. Navigational skill and accuracy, plus the ability to read the terrain and decide about the most efficient route, are often more valuable than speedy legs.
For example, the most direct straight-line route might take you through impassable terrain, through a lake, or over a high fence (I know all this from experience). The fastest route is often an indirect route that follows a clear trail. This is where map-reading and decision-making skills come in. You can be in the greatest physical shape, but it won’t help if you’re running in the wrong direction!
How can I try orienteering?
If you want to try orienteering, Orienteering USA has lots of great information, including a list of events, a search tool to find a local orienteering club near you, and tips on getting started. Your local club will be able to provide a list of events in your region, and many cities offer Urban-O events.
Most local orienteering events include a brief instructional session before the start to explain the rules and help you brush up your map-reading skills. Come prepared by reviewing all of the information provided to participants ahead of the event, but know that you will get the help you need if you're trying orienteering for the first time.
What orienteering equipment will I need?
You don’t need much special equipment to participate in an orienteering event. You can usually rent a compass and e-stick (used for checking in at the control points) at the event. Your entry fee includes a map that you’ll collect at the start line. If it’s raining, you may want to bring a clear baggie to keep your map dry.
You’ll need appropriate athletic shoes. Trail running or hiking shoes will work fine. Depending on the terrain, you might want to wear lightweight gear with long sleeves and pants in case of ticks or brambles.
Which course should I choose at orienteering events?
You’ll find a range of courses at each event, graded by distance and difficulty. Remember that the posted distance is measured along a direct route between checkpoints. Your mileage will vary, depending on the route you choose.
If you’re new to this kind of navigation, you’ll also need to allow for wrong turns and overshooting hidden checkpoints. If it’s your first event, start with an easy course of a distance less than you would normally run or hike.
Is orienteering for me?
I’ve always been a runner, albeit a slow one, but orienteering adds a new dimension to outdoor exercise. I love the opportunity to get outdoors and attend events in new parts of my local area. I love the challenge of navigating my own route and choosing whether to follow the trail or take a more direct route over rougher terrain.
Scrambling down an embankment or clambering over an unexpected fallen tree trunk makes me feel tough. Sprinting over the finish line covered in dirt and a few bramble scratches makes me feel alive. Misjudging a route and getting lost makes me humble, and finding my way to the next checkpoint anyway makes me feel resilient.
If you’re looking to mix-up your exercise routine and challenge yourself in new ways, give orienteering a try. Let us know if you've tried it in the comments!