Permanent Courses

Throughout Wales there are a number of areas which have Permanent Courses where you can try Orienteering for the first time, or improve your skills.

The object is to find your way around the route marked by the circles on your map and control posts on the ground. The control posts have painted red bands near the top. On the sloping top of each control post is a code letter or number corresponding to that on the map and on the control description list. Usually there is also a 'secret' letter or number which you have to write in the appropriate space on your control card to prove that you found that control. (At normal orienteering events there will be a flag ['kite'] instead of a post, and either an electronic unit into which you insert a special card, or a punch which makes a pattern of holes in the card.) 

What makes orienteering different from cross-country running is that you have to choose your own route between controls, and use your map reading skills to find your way. The lines joining the controls are simply to link them together in the order to be visited and rarely indicate a compulsory route. You should try not to get lost, and at all times you should be able to put your finger on the map and say "I'm just there". Do not try to go round faster than you can read the map - all that will happen is that you will miss the control you are looking for, and have to retrace your steps. 

It is worth having a look at the legend on the map to see what the various symbols represent. Orienteering maps differ from Ordnance Survey maps in that the white represents areas of trees that can easily be run through. Denser areas of trees are shown in shades of green. Open land is shown in shades of yellow.

The following list of permanent courses is neither exhaustive nor a guarantee that the Permanent Course is available. Many courses are situated in working forests where the control posts have to be temporarily removed whilst felling takes place, and other courses may have be vandalised or fallen into disrepair.  Maps are not always available on site or at weekends, so it is advisable to contact the issuing office in advance and get a map sent to you.

To help us keep track of the state of these courses, please email the WOA Webmaster with your comments about any that you visit.