Permanent Orienteering Courses

POC control

POC control
Photo credit: British Orienteering

Last updated: Tue 24 Sep 2024

If you’d like to try orienteering while socially distancing, then a permanent course might be just right for you. It enables you to follow a map and find the controls in your own time.

For those new to orienteering there is a new Orienteering Foundation video Permanent Orienteering Courses – Discover an Outdoor Adventure to give you an idea of what to expect.

Guildford Orienteers with support from Surrey County Council maintains two permanent orienteering courses

At Newlands Corner off the A25, near Guildford Surrey GU4 8SE. The course was last updated in May 2024. The start and finish are at the far end of the car park.

Surrey County Council Newlands Corner Visitor information / Location map (Grid Reference on OS Map 186 is TQ043493, What3Words: just.renew.assure ). Parking is free at Newlands Corner.

You can download and print a detailed map with instructions FREE from the GO Orienteering website. This gives you the location of 16 Orienteering Controls which you can find on wooden posts – some are easier to locate than others!

The easiest challenge is to follow Controls 1 – 9 in order (about 2km) – this is Yellow standard and shouldn’t take too long! If you’d prefer something higher tech then you can follow this course using the popular MapRunF app – this uses GPS to tell you when you are near to the control and gives an automatic result.

At Chinthurst Hill off the B2128, south of Guildford, GU5 0PR. It has 10 controls and is especially suitable for beginners and families. Although the courses are shorter, it is a hill, the clue is in the name! The start and finish are 200m from the car park. There are two courses, Controls 1 - 5 in order (about 1.4km) and Controls 6 - 10 in order (about 1.2km) , these are Yellow standard.

Surrey County Council Chinthurst Hill Visitor information / Location map (Grid Reference for car park TQ015463, What3Words: comet.shapes.select ). There is free parking, picnic tables, and a natural play area next to the car park but no toilet facilities.

You can download and print a detailed map with instructions FREE from the GO Orienteering website.

Map are available for a small charge by post from Guildford Orienteers via email if you prefer.

Neighbouring clubs also manage Permanent Courses:

In North-West Surrey and East Hampshire by Southern Navigators:

To the East of Guildford by Mole Valley Orienteering Club – currently 11 courses.

Or search for: any course in the country on British Orienteering's dedicated website.