Start Orienteering: A Beginner’s Guide

Orienteering is a navigation sport where you use a detailed map and compass to find your way between checkpoints, called control points, in unfamiliar terrain. For beginners, the key is to start with an easy course in a local park, learn to orient the map, and practice reading map symbols before heading out. This guide covers orienteering basics for beginners, from understanding the map to planning your first event, with practical tips to make it enjoyable.

What Is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a sport that combines map reading, compass use, and decision-making to navigate a course marked by control points. Each control point is a physical marker, usually an orange-and-white flag, that you must visit in a specific order. You punch a card or electronic chip at each control to prove you visited it. The goal is to complete the course in the shortest time, but beginners can focus on just finishing and having fun.

There are different formats: foot orienteering (the most common), mountain bike orienteering, ski orienteering, and trail orienteering for people with disabilities. For a beginner, a standard foot orienteering course in a local park is the best place to start.

Orienteering Basics for Beginners: Getting Started

Before your first orienteering event, you need to understand a few fundamentals:

• Orienteering map: A highly detailed topographic map drawn specifically for orienteering. It shows terrain features, vegetation, trails, and man-made objects using standardized colors and symbols.
• Map symbols: The legend on the map explains the symbols. Key categories include landforms (brown contour lines), water (blue), vegetation (green, yellow, white), and man-made features (black).
• Compass: You use a compass to align the map with the terrain and to follow bearings between controls. For beginners, a simple baseplate compass is sufficient.
• Control points: These are the checkpoints you must visit. On the map, they are shown as circles (usually purple or red) with numbers. In the terrain, they are marked by orange-and-white flags with a punch or electronic box.
• Control descriptions: A list or sheet that describes the exact location of each control (e.g., "boulder, north side"). They use symbols and sometimes text.
• Route choice: The decision of which way to go between controls. You might choose a longer trail route or a shorter cross-country route, depending on your fitness and navigation skills.
• Map orientation: The process of turning the map so that north on the map matches north in the real world. This is a critical first step before navigating.

Orienteering Beginners Guide: Step-by-Step to Your First Course

Follow these steps to get started with orienteering as a beginner:

1. Find a local event or permanent course: Many parks have permanent orienteering courses with maps available at a visitor center or online. Local clubs often host beginner-friendly events with instruction.
2. Start with a white or yellow course: Orienteering courses are color-coded by difficulty. White is the easiest, designed for absolute beginners and young children, often following trails. Yellow is slightly harder but still suitable for beginners.
3. Get a map and control descriptions: At the event, you'll receive a map with the course marked. Control descriptions may be printed on the map or provided separately.
4. Learn to orient the map: Place your compass on the map with the edge along a north-south grid line. Turn the map and compass together until the compass needle aligns with the north arrow on the map. The map is now oriented.
5. Plan your first leg: Look at the map to identify where you are (the start) and where control 1 is. Identify obvious features along the route, like trails, streams, or hills. Choose a simple route using trails or handrails (linear features like fences or streams).
6. Navigate to control 1: Walk along your chosen route, keeping the map oriented. Check off features as you pass them. At the control, you'll see the orange-and-white flag and a punch or electronic box. Punch your card or use your e-card.
7. Continue to the next controls: Repeat the process for each control until you finish. Don't rush; focus on accurate navigation.
8. Finish and download results: At the finish, you'll download your e-card or turn in your punch card. Compare your time with others if you wish, but remember, your goal is to learn and have fun.

Orienteering for Beginners: Essential Skills

To enjoy orienteering as a beginner, you need to develop a few basic skills. Here are the key ones:

Map Orientation

Always keep your map oriented to the terrain. This means rotating the map so that the features on the map are in the same direction as the features around you. Do this every time you change direction or look at the map.

Thumbing the Map

Place your thumb on the map at your current location. As you move, slide your thumb to your new position. This helps you keep track of where you are without searching the map each time.

Reading Map Symbols

Learn the common map symbols before your first event. Contour lines show elevation and shape of the land; every fifth line is an index contour with elevation numbers. Water features are blue; vegetation density affects speed—white is open forest, green is dense and slow. Black symbols are man-made features like trails, buildings, and fences.

Using the Compass

For beginners, the compass is mainly used for map orientation. Taking a bearing is a more advanced skill, but you can learn it easily:

1. Place the edge of the compass along the line from your current location to the target control on the map.
2. Turn the compass housing until the orienting lines inside the housing are parallel to the north-south grid lines on the map.
3. Hold the compass flat in front of you and turn your whole body until the magnetic needle is aligned with the orienting arrow in the housing.
4. The direction of travel arrow on the compass now points toward the control. Follow that direction.

Route Choice

As a beginner, choose routes that follow trails, paths, or other linear features. Avoid cutting through dense vegetation or steep terrain. Compare two or three options and pick the one that is easiest to navigate, not necessarily the shortest.

Orienteering Tips for Beginners

Here are practical tips to make your first orienteering experience successful and enjoyable:

• Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners, long pants, and long sleeves to protect against scratches and insects. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
• Bring essentials: Carry water, a snack, a whistle (for safety), and a small first aid kit. A cell phone is useful for emergencies but should be kept for emergency use only.
• Start easy: Don't attempt a hard course on your first outing. A white or yellow course will build your confidence.
• Take your time: There is no need to rush. Stop frequently to check the map and your surroundings. It's better to be accurate than fast.
• Use handrails and catching features: Handrails are linear features like trails, streams, or fences that you can follow. Catching features are large features behind your target (like a road or river) that you can use to know if you've gone too far.
• Join a club: Local orienteering clubs often offer beginner clinics and group events. You can learn from experienced orienteers and get advice.
• Practice map reading in your neighborhood: Get a map of a local park and try to match it to the terrain. Or use online orienteering maps to practice identifying features.

Planning a Family Orienteering Day

Orienteering is a great activity for families. Here's how to plan a fun and low-stress family orienteering day:

• Choose a permanent course or beginner event: Permanent courses are self-serve and can be done anytime. Beginner events have helpers and often have activity zones for kids.
• Prepare a simple picnic: Pack easy-to-eat foods like sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, and plenty of water. A picnic blanket and some hand wipes are handy.
• Dress in layers: Weather can change, so layers allow you to adjust. Comfortable shoes are a must.
• Set realistic expectations: Young children may only complete part of a course. That's fine; the goal is to enjoy the outdoors and learn map skills. You can pair children with an adult or older sibling.
• Make it a game: Let the kids help navigate by pointing out features on the map. Give them a compass to hold and practice orienting the map together.
• Have a post-orienteering treat: A thermos of hot chocolate or a special snack at the end can be a nice reward.

Orienteering for Beginners: What to Expect at an Event

If you attend an organized orienteering event, here's what typically happens:

1. Registration: You sign up and pay a small fee. Some events offer rental of electronic timing chips (e-cards) and compasses.
2. Start: You'll be given a map with the course. In some events, you start at a specific time; in others, you can start anytime within a window. You may be told to "clear" and "check" your e-card before starting.
3. On the course: You navigate from control to control. At each control, you insert your e-card into the electronic box, which records your time. If using a punch card, you punch it with the manual punch.
4. Finish: At the finish, you may punch the finish control or just run to the finish line. Then you download your e-card to get your time and splits.
5. Results: Results are often posted online after the event. You can compare your time with others in your category (beginner, age group, etc.).

Comparing Orienteering Course Levels for Beginners

Here's a table to help you choose the right course level:

Orienteering Gear for Beginners

You don't need much special equipment to start orienteering. Here's what you might need:

• Map: Provided at the event or as part of a permanent course.
• Compass: A basic baseplate compass with a clear rectangular base and a rotating dial. Models like the Silva Starter or Suunto A-10 are inexpensive and sufficient. Avoid compasses without a baseplate, as they are harder to use with a map.
• Shoes: Trail running shoes or hiking shoes with good traction. In dry parks, regular running shoes may be fine.
• Clothing: Long pants and long sleeves are recommended to protect against vegetation. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics are best. Bright colors make you visible.
• Whistle: For safety, a whistle can help you get attention if you are lost or injured.
• Water bottle or hydration pack: Stay hydrated, especially on warm days.
• Watch: A simple watch to keep track of time if you want to challenge yourself.

Orienteering for Beginners: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are some common beginner mistakes and tips to avoid them:

• Not orienting the map: Always keep the map oriented. If the map is turned, you'll misinterpret the terrain.
• Running too fast: Speed without accuracy leads to getting lost. Walk and focus on navigation, especially on your first few courses.
• Ignoring the control descriptions: Always read the descriptions carefully. The control might be on the north side of a boulder, not the south side.
• Not using catching features: If you miss a control, have a plan: a large feature behind the control can tell you if you've gone too far.
• Over-relying on one feature: Use multiple features to confirm your location. A single trail intersection may look similar to another.
• Not asking for help: At events, organizers and experienced orienteers are usually happy to help beginners. Don't be shy.

Indoor and Virtual Orienteering Practice

If you can't get outdoors, there are ways to practice your map reading skills indoors:

• Virtual orienteering: Websites like RouteGadget, Catching Features, or virtual courses on MapRun allow you to practice navigation on a computer or smartphone.
• Map reading exercises: Take an orienteering map of an area you know and try to identify features on the ground from memory or with a satellite view.
• Make a map of your home: Draw a simple map of your house or neighborhood and create a mini-course for your family. This helps understand map symbols and scale.

Conclusion

Orienteering is a fun and accessible sport for people of all ages and fitness levels. With this beginner's guide, you have the knowledge to start orienteering: understand the map, use a compass, plan routes, and navigate to control points. Remember to start easy, go at your own pace, and enjoy the process of exploring the outdoors with a map. Whether you join a local event or try a permanent course, orienteering offers a rewarding way to exercise both body and mind.