Orienteering

Exploring via orienteering is a fantastic outdoor activity that families can enjoy together, blending adventure with learning in a way that’s both fun and educational. Orienteering type activities involve navigating from point to point. This can include simple scavenger hunt trails, or the more traditional sport using a map and compass.
Orienteering fosters a sense of teamwork, problem-solving, and a deeper connection with the outdoors.

Benefits of exploring and Orienteering

1. Physical Fitness: Walking and running are excellent ways to improve physical health.
2. Mental Stimulation: Orienteering challenges the mind as well as the body. It enhances problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and the ability to think critically and make quick decisions.
3. Appreciation for Nature: Spending time outdoors helps develop a greater respect and appreciation for the natural world, whilst encouraging a love for outdoor activities.
4. Building Confidence: Successfully navigating and exploring new areas boosts confidence, especially in children. It teaches self-reliance and the satisfaction of achieving goals through persistence and teamwork.

Getting Started

Getting started with exploring and orienteering is simpler than you might think. Especially here in Burnley where there are an array of physical and virtual courses, events and opportunities.

Here are a few steps to ease into the world of orienteering.

1. Start Small: Begin with local parks or nature reserves that have marked trails. Many parks offer beginner orienteering courses, which are a great way to learn the basics.
2. Use Technology: There are numerous apps designed to help beginners with navigation and orienteering. While traditional map and compass skills are invaluable, these tools can provide an extra layer of confidence and flexibility for newcomers.
3. Learn Together: There are plenty of online resources and local clubs that can teach you the basics. Meeting and learning with others, can improve social wellbeing too.

Whether you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, improve your navigation skills, or simply enjoy a new adventure together, check out the opportunities in Burnley below, and start exploring the world around you.

Find Your Way

The Find Your Way Orienteering initiative is a game-changer, blending traditional navigation skills with modern technology. Whether you are a seasoned orienteer or a curious beginner, its a great way to get outside exploring your surroundings. Through the use of the MapRun app, it provides a convenient, engaging, and accessible way to enjoy the sport.

Multiple courses and parks in Burnley have been mapped and are available via the app. Information boards explaining how to get involved can be found in both Thompson and Towneley Park.

Download the app, choose your course, and start your adventure today!

Permanent Orienteering courses

Permanent orienteering courses are pre-set routes marked by physical control points that remain in place indefinitely, allowing individuals to engage in orienteering whenever they choose.
They provide an excellent opportunity to practice navigation skills, get physical exercise, and explore natural surroundings and we’re lucky to have two right here in the borough.

Pendle Forest Orienteers

Pendle Forest Orienteers are a small orienteering club based across Pennine Lancashire. They organise events locally including traditional Orienteering, Street O, Urban Orienteering challenges along with Come and Try it events and more.
You can find out more about Pendle Forest Orienteers here.