Route Choice Game

Each scenario has two routes from the start triangle to the control circle. Pick one and we’ll calculate the distance, climb and estimated time. The maps are fictional; the calculations use real orienteering speed rules.

Blue dashed line = Route A · Red dashed line = Route B

Scenario 1 / 3

Over the hill or along the path?

A steep hill lies between the controls. Do you go straight over it, or round on the path?

Route	Distance	Climb	Estimated time
A	820 m	52 m	8.7 min
B	1330 m	14 m	8 min

What did we learn? Rule of thumb: 1 metre of climb costs about 10 metres of flat running. A longer but flat route on a path is often faster — and easier to navigate.

Blue dashed line = Route A · Red dashed line = Route B

Scenario 2 / 3

Through the green or around it?

On the map, dark green means thick vegetation that is hard to run through. Take the short way through it, or go round through open forest?

Route	Distance	Climb	Estimated time
A	750 m	4 m	13.4 min
B	960 m	5 m	9.1 min

What did we learn? The darker the green, the slower you go: light green is slow running, medium green walking, dark green almost impassable. White forest is your friend.

Blue dashed line = Route A · Red dashed line = Route B

Scenario 3 / 3

Does the path always win?

South of the lake there is an easy path, but it is long. To the north is open, runnable white forest. Which way?

Route	Distance	Climb	Estimated time
A	830 m	6 m	5.8 min
B	1460 m	23 m	9.4 min

What did we learn? White forest means runnable. With no climb and no thick vegetation, the short straight route beats a long detour on a path — and the lake shore helps you navigate.

Assumptions (min/km): path 5, open land 5.5, white forest 6.5, light green 9, medium green 13, dark green 20; each 1 m of climb counts as 10 m of forest running.

Route Choice Game

Over the hill or along the path?

Through the green or around it?

Does the path always win?

Your score: 0 / 3