Greater Manchester Orienteering Activities

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What is Orienteering?

Introduction

Orienteering is an activity which takes place in a variety of locations all over the UK from local parks to woodlands and open country. It involves following a set route through the area concerned using a specially drawn, coloured map with considerable detail and information.

The routes (courses) are defined on the ground by 'control markers', each with a unique identification code which confirms that the orienteer is at the correct location along the route. The position of each control marker is shown on the map by the centre of a red circle.

Permanent Orienteering Courses

Permanent Orienteering Courses (POC's) are set up using wooden posts or plaques as control markers. There are usually short, easy courses for beginners with controls at path junctions. Further courses progress through a range of map reading skills to find controls a short distance from paths and finally in more remote locations.

Some Permanent Orienteering Courses have 'wheelchair' courses which allow people with limited mobility to follow well-made tracks in order to find trackside controls.

You can do a Permanent Orienteering Course any time you wish simply by purchasing a Map Pack which contains a map and instructions. You will also need a pen, outdoor clothing and trainers. No other costs are involved.

Trail-O

Trail Orienteering was devised to provide greater challenge for people who are unable to leave well-made tracks. However, anyone can do Trail-O as an interesting alternative to regular orienteering.

Competitive

Competitive events can be either competitive or recreational. Many people simply walk around the courses as a means of enjoying the countryside. Their position in the results does not concern them.

There are courses for very young children with a progression to longer routes and higher standards of technical difficulty than those found at permanent courses. Trail-O is also offered as a competitive event but with no time element involved between viewing sites. For the true competitor, map-reading at speed provides an interesting challenge!

.	What is Orienteering?
Introduction	Orienteering is an activity which takes place in a variety of locations all over the UK from local parks to woodlands and open country. It involves following a set route through the area concerned using a specially drawn, coloured map with considerable detail and information. The routes (courses) are defined on the ground by 'control markers', each with a unique identification code which confirms that the orienteer is at the correct location along the route. The position of each control marker is shown on the map by the centre of a red circle.
Permanent Orienteering Courses	Permanent Orienteering Courses (POC's) are set up using wooden posts or plaques as control markers. There are usually short, easy courses for beginners with controls at path junctions. Further courses progress through a range of map reading skills to find controls a short distance from paths and finally in more remote locations. Some Permanent Orienteering Courses have 'wheelchair' courses which allow people with limited mobility to follow well-made tracks in order to find trackside controls. You can do a Permanent Orienteering Course any time you wish simply by purchasing a Map Pack which contains a map and instructions. You will also need a pen, outdoor clothing and trainers. No other costs are involved.
Trail-O	Trail Orienteering was devised to provide greater challenge for people who are unable to leave well-made tracks. However, anyone can do Trail-O as an interesting alternative to regular orienteering.
Competitive	Competitive events can be either competitive or recreational. Many people simply walk around the courses as a means of enjoying the countryside. Their position in the results does not concern them. There are courses for very young children with a progression to longer routes and higher standards of technical difficulty than those found at permanent courses. Trail-O is also offered as a competitive event but with no time element involved between viewing sites. For the true competitor, map-reading at speed provides an interesting challenge!