Orienteering

What is orienteering?

Orienteering is an outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass.

The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time.

It does not matter how fit you are, as you can run or walk the course at your own pace.

Orienteering is a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors.

What information can I get on orienteering?

British Orienteering is the national governing body for the sport of orienteering in the United Kingdom.

Go to the British Orienteering website for more information about orienteering.

Where can I go orienteering in Wales?

There are fixed orienteering courses throughout Wales.

• Go to the British Orienteering website to find a fixed orienteering course near you
• There are fixed orienteering courses in four of the forests managed by Natural Resources Wales

Where are the orienteering courses managed by Natural Resources Wales?

There are fixed orienteering courses in Newborough Forest, Gwydir Forest Park, Coed y Brenin Forest Park and in Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest.

Orienteering in Newborough Forest

There are three permanent orienteering courses in Newborough Forest.

The courses are graded to British Orienteering Federation standards and were designed by Eryri Orienteers.

• The Orange course is of medium difficulty and is suitable for beginners
• The Green course requires technically difficult navigation and is suitable for experienced orienteers
• The Blue course requires technically difficult navigation, it is longer than the Green, and is suitable for experienced orienteers

All three routes start north east of the main parking area and finish in the clearing south east of the main parking area.

More information about orienteering in Newborough Forest

Orienteering in Gwydir Forest Park

There are two permanent orienteering courses in Gwydir Forest Park.

The shorter course is graded as a medium level of level of navigational difficulty. The other course is longer and harder and is suitable for experienced orienteers.

Both courses begin just outside Betws-y-Coed and finish in the centre of the village.

More information about orienteering in Gwydir Forest Park

Orienteering in Coed y Brenin Forest Park

There are four permanent orienteering courses in Coed y Brenin Forest Park, near Dolgellau.

• two easier courses for beginners, one of which is suitable for children
• two harder courses for confident map readers and experienced orienteers

The courses start and finish at Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre where there is a café, toilets and other facilities for visitors.

More information about orienteering at Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre 

Orienteering in Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest

There are four permanent orienteering courses in Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest, near Aberystwyth.

These include an easier course for beginners, often used by families, and a harder course for experienced orienteers.

The courses start and finish at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre where there is a café, toilets and other facilities for visitors.

More information about orienteering at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre

How do I find out about route closures and diversions?

Sometimes a public right of way has to be closed or diverted.

Signage on-site should tell you whether a public right of way is open or closed.

For more information about how exclusions or restrictions are applied to open access land, go to managing access.

How do I get permission for an orienteering event in a woodland managed by Natural Resources Wales?

Get permission to organise an orienteering event in one of the woodlands managed by Natural Resources Wales.

The Countryside Code

The Countryside Code applies to all parts of the countryside in England and Wales.

It aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors.

You can download a copy of the Countryside Code before your visit.