There are a number of permanent orienteering courses (POCs) in various loations throughout Cleveland.  These are available for you to try at your leisure for little or no cost.  The table below lists all known POCs including details on how to obtain maps.

Please note that none of these permanent orienteering courses are owned or managed by Cleveland Orienteering Klub.  The list is provided for your information.  We've tried to make sure that the information in the list is correct but it's possible that there may be some errors.  (If you find any, please let us know!)

Click on this link for a list of the permanent orienteering courses in the CLOK area (PDF format).

Follow this link for more information about permanent orienteering courses and how to get started (including how to obtain maps).

POC contacts / adopters

CLOK members – and some 'friends of CLOK' – have kindly volunteered to adopt the Permanent Orienteering Courses that the club was involved in setting up (usually by providing technical advice to the relevant landowner / manager).  To find out who has adopted a particular POC, check the CLOK contact column in the list.

The plan is that the adopters will, at least three times a year:-

• Check that the markers (posts and plaques) are present and in the correct positions.

  Note:  If a marker isn't in the position shown on the map then we have the options of (a) moving the marker or (b) changing the map!

• Check whether any vegetation needs to be "tidied up" so that the markers can be seen and found.
• When markers are being replaced, suggest if there better locations for them.  Also, if appropriate, help the landowner to put the new marker(s) in the right place(s).
• Suggest any other ways in which the course could be improved.
• Check that the map still reflects what is on the ground.

  For example:-  Is the vegetation still the same?  Have any new paths been created, or have any been removed or re-routed?  Have any new statues / sculptures / other man-made objects been installed?

• Report any deficiencies back to the CLOK lead on POCs and, where appropriate, help to get the issues sorted out.

Although the CLOK lead on POCs acts as the main interface with the landowners, the adopters may also:-

• Encourage and work with the landowner to help them make best use of the POC.
• Suggest any ideas for improving the POC.

  For example:-  Adding additional markers or re-positioning some of the existing markers.  Improving the publicity for the POC.  (More posters?  Organising a 'Come and Try It' event?)  Converting the course into a virtual course so that people have the option of using the MapRun app on their smartphones instead of – or as well as – using paper maps.

• Inform the CLOK lead on POCs if the club should discontinue support of a POC for any reason.

  Note:  Forestry England have indicated that they wish to discontinue the creation of new POCs because they find it too much work to maintain them.  They will, however, continue to support the POCs that they have already have paid to put in place.

  Note:  If too much regular vandalism is occurring, one option may be to remove the physical markers and just have a virtual course.

For further information about these permanent orienteering courses, contact Caroline Mackenzie (phone: 07973-870529).

Click here to go to the CLOK home page.