This fantastic sport offers many health benefits, but the real attraction is that it is fun! Being outdoors, walking or running through the forest and fields will improve your fitness levels, whilst challenging your mind.
Try orienteering at Moors Valley Country Park
An opportunity to learn the basic skills of orienteering with a member of Wimborne Orienteering Club. The session will give you the information needed to help you read a map, identify features, practice pacing and have a go putting your skills into practice.
If arriving by car, please park in the main Moors Valley Country Park car park and walk to meet your instructor at the Golf and Activity Centre. Sessions run from 1:30pm to 3pm and cost £2.50 per person. Car parking included.
Booking is essential by calling 01425 480811.
Timetable of dates for 2024:
- Saturday 16 March 2024
- Saturday 22 June 2024
- Saturday 7 September 2024
- Saturday 16 November 2024
Please complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire before you attend.
Complete your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
If you are a new participant to the Try Orienteering sessions, a returning participant or if your health condition has changed, we ask that you complete an annual PARQ before attending the activity.
Permanent orienteering courses
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Within the beautiful surroundings of Moors Valley Country Park, this permanent course gives you the opportunity to explore the forest by either foot or mountain bike. Get your orienteering map from the Visitor Centre shop for £3.
Avon Heath Country Park
You can purchase an orienteering map at the Visitor Centre and embark on an explorer challenge to find the posts on your marker card. A fun way for you and the family to explore the heath and get more active!
BytheWay Recreation Field, Wimborne
Download MapRun and find an online map for this area. You can then use your phone to have a go. The courses are virtual and when you get near a marker your phone will ping, letting you know you are in the right place.
Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth
The permanent orienteering course consists of three trails for you to complete. One is a short course of approximately 1km, one is a medium course of 1.3km and one is score trail where the controls can be found in any order. You can either borrow a map from the café or download the Oriento app.
Littlemoor, Weymouth
Littlemoor Park is a small park off Louviers Road on top of a ridge on the edge of Lorton Meadows. The permanent orienteering course noticeboard is now in place outside the Top Club at the start/finish point. You can view the map by visiting Wimborne Orienteers
Durlston Country Park
Have a go at this fun outdoor sport with 3 graded, self-led trails at Durlston, from 2-5 km. You can purchase a pack from Durlston Castle for £3. Download a map or Download the “MapRun6” app and search for Durlston.
Studland
This is a delightful beach area with grass covered dunes and sandy pathways leading out from the National Trust car park at Knoll Beach. Maps can be purchased from the National Trust kiosk on the beach.
Bridport Wayfarers Course
This is a 90-minute course aimed at walkers, newcomers and complete beginners This is a 'score' course made up of 30 controls. You can download a map by visiting Wimborne Orienteers.
Thorncombe Wood
The permanent course uses fixed markers. You can do it using the Oriento smartphone app or simply with pen or pencil. Control markers are fixed to wooden structures like gates, posts and benches.
Gillingham
At the Chantry Field, the permanent orienteering course uses the Oriento app and has 3 courses. You can borrow a map from the library or from Waitrose.
Sherborne
Borrow a map from Sherborne Library or Sherborne Town Council Reception area during opening hours, or download from the MapRun app.
There are 3 courses:
Accessible/Short course: 2.5k All controls on surfaced paths, but some road crossings and some slopes
Long course: 5k includes some unsurfaced trails, slopes and roads to cross
Score course: Find all 23 controls in any order
Find out more information on permanent orienteering courses.
Orienteering clubs in Dorset
Wessex Orienteering Club
Wessex Orienteering Club is a local group which organises a number of events throughout the year, including orienteering races, weekly training sessions on Tuesday evenings, evening street and park events and relays.
Wimborne Orienteering Club
Wimborne Orienteers are a family friendly club providing orienteering events in Dorset and the New Forest. The club welcomes members of all ages and abilities.
