Orienteering
Get lost on purpose, then un-lost yourself with a map and spite.
Orienteering is a timed navigation sport where you use a map and compass to find checkpoints scattered across terrain. Think of it as a real-life video game where the open world is an actual forest. Events range from casual park courses to competitive wilderness races. Most clubs welcome beginners and provide maps.
How to start
- 1Search for a local orienteering club — most countries have a national federation with event listings.
- 2Show up to a beginner-friendly event. They'll lend you a compass and explain the map.
- 3Start with the easiest course (usually color-coded white or yellow).
- 4Walk it first. Jog it once you get confident reading terrain features.
- 5Punch or scan each checkpoint to prove you found it.
What you'll need
- Compass (usually loaned at events)EssentialFree
- Trail running shoesNice to haveFree
- Gaiters for brushy terrainNice to have~$12
Where to learn more
Plot twists
Ways to spice this up when the basics get boring.
- Night orienteering with a headlamp — extremely challenging and fun
- Urban orienteering through city streets and alleyways
- Mountain bike orienteering (MTBO) for speed demons
- Pair up and race another team on the same course
Constant problem-solving and terrain reading keep your brain fully engaged. It is impossible to zone out when you're navigating live.
Orienteering began as a Swedish military training exercise in the late 1800s. It became a public sport in 1897 when the first civilian competition was held near Stockholm.
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