Developing courses

Working with Partners to Develop Permanent Orienteering Courses

British Orienteering and British Orienteering clubs work to support partners to develop and deliver Permanent Orienteering Courses on their sites. This page includes information on how to develop a Permanent Orienteering Course and good practise from clubs and partners who have developed courses.

Orienteering at a Permanent Orienteering Course (POC)

Permanent Orienteering Courses provide an opportunity for an interesting leisure activity, exploring the park or woodland with the help of a detailed map.   Experience is not necessary and you do not need to be a member of a club.  There is no need to arrive at a certain time or buy special clothes or equipment.  Orienteering on a Permanent Course is a leisure activity and no one minds whether you walk or run.

There are over 400 Permanent Orienteering Courses in Great Britain, many in town and country parks. Each one is unique; many have been designed for beginners and those new to the sport.  Some courses offer ‘Loops and Stars’ exercises for use by groups and schools. Some courses are suitable for wheelchair users. For more information about local courses and how to obtain a map pack use the POC search facility on this website. You are strongly advised to contact the location in advance to check any local arrangements for visiting the course, facilities and map availability.

Additionally, if you plan to take a group you should visit the course in advance to confirm access arrangements for your group and carry out a risk assessment. Permanent Orienteering Courses are used on an ‘at users own risk’ basis. It is particularly important that organisers of group activities ensure they have made an adequate assessment of risk and have sufficient insurance cover. 

Partners

British Orienteering clubs work with a number of partners. These include:

  • National Trust
  • Forestry Commission
  • Local Authorities
  • Land Owners
  • Schools
  • Universities
  • Outdoor Centres

Permanent Orienteering Courses on National Trust properties are annotated NT (or NTS in Scotland) on the POC Map Search. Permanent Orienteering Courses at Forestry Commission centres are annotated FC on the POC Map Search.

British Orienteering is working with the National Trust to support the development of Permanent Orienteering Courses on National Trust property. If you wish to receive information on this work please email the National Office. Examples of work with the National Trust include this example from Wightwick Manor and this video from Charlecote Park. The National Trust has a programme to encourage young people to experience the outdoors called 50 Things to do before you are 11 3/4 Please see this promotional video from the Trust.

How to set up a Permanent Orienteering Course?

Information on how to set up a Permanent Orienteering Course can be found in our information guide here.

Maze Orienteering

An alternative to a Permanent Orienteering course is the semi-permanent option of a Maze. This can be delivered for example in a park; field or car park. Information on how to set up Maze Orienteering can be found here.