Choosing the Colour of your course
Orienteering uses colours to indicate how difficult and how long each course is.
The picture gives a summary, and below you will find further details of what to expect from each colour-coded course.
Note that running over orienteering terrain will take significantly longer than it would on a road/track of the same distance.
WHITE
Difficulty Length
1 1
All on paths, direction of next control always indicated by flag.
Suitable for young children of 7 to 8 who should be accompanied
YELLOW
Difficulty Length
2 2
Routes along obvious line features e.g. earth banks, fences as well as paths.
Decision points introduced
ORANGE
Difficulty Length
3 3
Controls on features a little way off paths or on line features. Route choice introduced.
Adult beginners shouldn't attempt anything harder
RED
Difficulty Length
3 4
A longer, not too technical, course aimed at adult beginners and improvers
LIGHT GREEN
Difficulty Length
4 3
Transitional course for improving skills.
Navigation skills required and interpretation of contours
GREEN
Difficulty Length
5 3
For those with good navigational skills but with limited energy or running speed