Picture this: you find yourself surrounded by a lush forest, your heart pounding with anticipation as you hold a meticulously crafted map in your hands. In this thrilling pursuit, your goal is to navigate a series of checkpoints scattered across the terrain, using only your wits, a compass, and your instinctive sense of direction.
Orienteering is not simply a race against time; it’s a test of your mental acuity, physical agility, and ability to adapt to ever-changing surroundings. As you set off on your quest, every step becomes a calculated decision, as you analyze the contours of the land, deciphering hidden clues that will guide you to your next destination.
So, are you ready to unlock the secrets of Longford Park? Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure, where exploration knows no bounds, and the thrill of the unknown becomes your greatest ally. Welcome to the enthralling world of orienteering, where every step brings you closer to uncovering the hidden wonders of the great outdoors.
Interested and want to give it a try?
No problem, it’s easy to get started. Hard copy maps for the Longford Park course are on sale at the Longford Park Café. Alternatively, you can purchase an electronic PDF copy that you can use on your phone at the GMOA website here.
Quick Start
Orienteering involves walking or running a set route through the park using a specially drawn, coloured map with considerable detail and information.
The route is defined on the ground by ‘control markers’, each with a unique identification code, which confirms that the orienteer is at the correct location along the route. The position of each control marker is shown on the map by the centre of a red circle as in the following example.
Greater Manchester Orienteering Activities (GMOA) has created a permanent orienteering course in the park using wooden posts or plaques as control markers.
For anyone interested in taking up orienteering, or regaining map reading skills that have been lost due to advances in technology, course maps are available at the Park Cafe Price £1.50. The maps are printed on waterproof paper, so why not brave our unpredictable climate and give orienteering a try.
Thanks to GMOA and Longford Park Cafe for helping make this possible.
For more information about this course head over to https://gmoa.org.uk/borough_trafford/longford-park-orienteering/
