Orienteering is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the scenery at the same time as finding your way with a map and being active. Anyone can take part, whether you’re a family exploring the park or a runner racing against the clock. The challenge is to discover a series of checkpoints. In Aden the checkpoints are located on wooden posts with orienteering orange and white signs which contain a control code number and letter code.
You don’t need any special clothes or equipment to try orienteering, however we recommend that you dress for the outdoors, especially if rain is expected, and wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting a little muddy. The best thing is you can try a course at any time that suits you and go around it entirely at your own pace.
An Aden Country Park permanent orienteering courses leaflet can be picked up from the Visitor Information Centre located in the central courtyard area in the park. Alternatively, this leaflet can either be downloaded by clicking the button below or picked up from the Aden Craft & Gift Shop, or the onsite Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, also located in the central courtyard area.
The orienteering map is marked with numbered circles, which show the positions of the controls (marker posts). The center of each red circle on the map marks the position of one of the control markers. A description of the precise location of the control is shown in the recommended courses tables. Each control post is marked with the 2-digit number code that is on the list, so that you know you have found the right control.
Each of the control posts also has its own two-letter code. Once you have located the control post, copy the two-letter code in the table provided, to record your visit.
The start of the course is marked on the map with a triangle symbol, and the finish is marked with a double circle. Both the start and the finish have marker posts.
There are two recommended permanent orienteering courses in Aden, a short course which is approximately 1.8km in length, and a long course which is approximately 2.9km in length. You can also create your own courses, by visiting the controls in a different order, or only visiting a selection of the controls.
Please note that you take part at your own risk, and that you are responsible for your own safety. Take care on uneven surfaces and choose routes between controls that you are capable of navigating. Act responsibly within the principles set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
This Permanent Orienteering Courses have been developed in collaboration with Grampian Orienteers. Grampian Orienteers is a club based in and around Aberdeen, who organise a variety of orienteering events throughout the year. Advice and help for those new to the sport is always available. If you’d like to join in, or have any questions, please visit the Grampian Orienteers website at www.grampoc.com, or email us at info@grampoc.com.
