Orienteering in Peel

New for Peel!

Peel has been mapped to the highest standards to enable competitive orienteering events to take place.  Several “Come and try it” events have been held, the inaugural Isle of Man Orienteering Championship was held in Peel in September 2017, organised by Adventurous Experiences in association with the IoM Orienteering Klubb.

We have three very different areas mapped to suit different purposes, catering for orienteers, fell runners, tourists, children and the causal runner who wants to try something more interesting! Scroll down for more details.

Important! Access permissions and safety information

What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which involves walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a detailed map and sometimes a compass.   The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time.  It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace.

Orienteering can take place anywhere from remote forest and countryside to urban parks and school playgrounds.  It’s a great sport for runners, joggers and walkers who want to improve their navigation skills or for anyone who loves the outdoors. Source: British Orienteering.

How do I get involved?

Some of our maps and courses are available to download from this website.

Join and help develop orienteering on the Isle of Man via the new IoM Orienteering Klubb Facebook Page

Image by Lindsay Clark, taking part in the first Orienteering event on Peel Headlands.

“Brilliant morning! Thank you for organising… Cannot wait for the next one.”

“Excellent morning, thank you for organising! What a great asset for Peel!”

Events:

Peel: Mapped areas

Peel Headlands orienteering map extract

Peel Headlands Permanent Course

Peel Headlands has been mapped at very large scale (1:2,500) and is a small area very suitable for supervised children to learn navigation skills, but also suited to all ages and abilities. The steepness of the terrain will also test your fitness! A permanent course has been set out and can be used by the general public and organised groups subject to permissions.

Peel Hill Orienteering map

Peel Hill Permanent Course

You will be able to test your navigation skills and terrain running on the 1:10000 map of Peel Hill. Never strayed off the path before? Here’s your chance. You’ll be tested by some detailed vegetation features and rocky outcrops. This area is at its best in the springtime before the bracken grows too high, but the permanent courses and events will avoid these areas.

To the north of the Hill, Peel Castle has also been mapped and may be included in some events subject to the necessary permissions.

To the south of the area, Knockaloe Beg Farm has been added to the map. Please contact the Farm if you’d like to orienteer on this area.

Peel Town Urban Map

In recent years urban orienteering has become very popular, and the narrow intricate streets of Old Peel make for some interesting orienteering. The area is mapped at 1;5000. We have produced two “Heritage orienteering maps” suitable for tourists and (accompanied) children as well as for orienteering proper.

Instead of searching for orienteering markers on the ground, the controls are landmarks and details of buildings, which you need to match up with photographs on the map. One course is about a mile long and covers the area of the oldest part of town; the second course is about twice as long and extends the course higher up the town. 

When you’ve found all the controls, the place will be revealed from where you can collect a completion certificate.

On the reverse of the maps you’ll find information about the landmarks you have visited.