Orienteering

Welcome

Orienteering is an outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass.

The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time.

It does not matter how fit you are, as you can run or walk the course at your own pace.

Our orienteering courses

There are fixed orienteering courses in these four places managed by Natural Resources Wales.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre

There are four permanent orienteering courses from Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Aberystwyth.

The courses start and finish at the visitor centre car park.

More information about orienteering at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre

There are four permanent orienteering courses in Coed y Brenin Forest Park, near Dolgellau.

They start and finish at Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre.

More information about orienteering at Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre 

Gwydir Forest Park

There is one permanent orienteering course in Gwydir Forest Park.

It begins just outside Betws-y-coed and finishes in the centre of the village.

More information about orienteering in Gwydir Forest Park

Newborough Forest

There are three permanent orienteering courses in Newborough Forest.

They start and finish near the main car park (Beach).

More information about orienteering in Newborough Forest

Trail closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.

Please check the page for the woodland or reserve on this website for any changes before you visit, especially if you want to do a specific trail, and follow any temporary signage and instructions from staff.

Permission for events

You may need to apply for permission before organising activities or events on the land managed by Natural Resources Wales.

Find out more about organising an activity or event.

The Countryside Codes

The Countryside Codes provide advice to plan a visit to the outdoors and to help keep you and other people safe.

Find out more about the Countryside Codes.

British Orienteering

British Orienteering is the national governing body for the sport of orienteering in the United Kingdom.

There are fixed orienteering courses throughout Wales.

For more information or to find a fixed orienteering course go to the British Orienteering website.