Orienteering is the Scandinavian sport of land navigation, primarily map reading, around a preset course through unfamiliar terrain using a specially drawn, highly detailed and accurate map. There are no gimmicks such as riddles, clues or puzzles. The beauty of the sport is that problems and solutions relate to straightforward navigation and map reading skills. Information in the form of the map and course is complete, transparent and fair. The object is to use navigational skills and techniques to complete the course, a series of controls shown on the map and flagged on the ground, in the shortest possible time.
Controls are simply mapped features such as trail junctions, small hills or clearings in the woods.
Individuals or teams start at four minute intervals to deter following. Needle punches or electronic stations are at the controls to provide means of verifying each visit. Problem solving includes interpreting information from the map and matching them with the characteristics of the terrain, using the compass, estimating distance and choosing and following routes. While moving quickly is an advantage, courses are designed to emphasize accurate navigation as most decisive. Orienteers that do best are most often the ones with the fewest mistakes.