Guide
Orienteering Guide
Everything you want to know about orienteering: map reading, compass, techniques, route choice, racing, children and orienteering in Turkey. From the coaches and mappers of Kanyon Orienteering.
Basics
- What is orienteering?Orienteering is an outdoor sport in which you use a detailed map, and optionally a compass, to visit a series of control points in a set order and reach the finish as quickly as you can.
- Types of orienteeringThe International Orienteering Federation recognises four disciplines.
- Orienteering equipmentYou don't need special kit to start.
- Benefits of orienteeringOrienteering combines the endurance of running or walking with map reading and decision-making.
- History of orienteeringOrienteering began in late 19th-century Scandinavia as military land-navigation training.
Map and technique
- How to read an orienteering mapOrienteering maps use seven basic colours.
- How to use a compass in orienteeringIn orienteering the compass is used first and foremost to orient the map.
- Orienteering techniquesThe core orienteering techniques are orienting the map and thumbing (keeping your thumb next to your position on the map).
- Route choice in orienteeringThe best route is not the shortest one but the one you can complete fastest and most safely.
- How to read control descriptionsControl descriptions are a table telling you exactly what feature each control is on and where the flag is.