Rich Wendling's Orienteering Page
picture of an orienteering control marker
  Orienteering: The Thinking Sport picture of an orienteering control marker

What is Orienteering?

picture of an O-map Orienteering is a competition where participants use a map and compass to navigate from point to point in the least amount of time. It can be enjoyed as a competitive sport, or as a walk in the woods. Orienteers use highly detailed maps to find markers called controls that have been placed in the landscape. In most orienteering events, the participant must locate the controls in a specified order. The routes between the controls are not specified. In order to complete an orienteering course, the orienteer must choose routes between controls, navigate that route, and do so as quickly as possible.