Orienteering Maps
Introduction
Orienteering maps are highly specialized depictions of a forested or urban area. These highly detailed maps allow you to navigate at speed or slow down to see even the smallest features in the terrain.
Getting Started
Here are a few tips to help you read a map.
Orient the map
Use your compass and the terrain around to orient your map to the world in front of you.
North is north
Magnetic north is shown directly using vertical lines. There is no need to consider declination.
Scale is everything
Look in the legend to see the scale of the map. If it says 1:10000, one centimetres represents 100 metres.
Map Symbols
The colours, lines and symbols on a map communicate information about the topography, vegetation, water features, trails, boulders, and man-made objects in the area.
Forest Maps
Orienteering maps are highly detailed, showing small boulders, water features, hills, vegetation changes and trails.
Sprint Maps
Built for quick orienteering and lightning-fast decision-making, sprint maps are found in urban centres.
Ski-O Maps
When the snow flies, Ski-O maps show how to move quickly between controls, making route choices based on types of trails.
Want a map for your event?
We offer the use of our maps to the general public for a small fee to offset the cost of each map's development. Pair our maps with an outreach session to make the most of your orienteering experience!
Our Maps
Orienteering Ottawa has maps across the National Capital Region.
From downtown west to Calabogie, east to Orleans and Larose Forest, from Lac Philippe to Perth and Foley Mountain, we have a map for you!