Sites and Facilities

Orienteering

There are two orienteering courses on the Fell. The first one covers the whole of the Fell starting from Quarry car park and can be divided into three courses 4.1km using all 14 controls, 2.5km using 10 controls and 1.4km using 6 controls with a 1:10,000 scale map. The second course is designed for primary school children and uses the area to the rear of the Bowland Visitor Centre, which is divided into two different courses, 0.6km using 6 controls and 0.9km using 8 controls with a 1:13,000 scale map. You can obtain both packs from the Bowland Visitor Centre for a small charge. If you wish you can purchase certificates for each child completing the course.

Image of Orienteering map

THE MAP You should study the map carefully before you start, particularly the colour scheme and the map symbols, note that the open (non forested) areas are shown as yellow, the lightly forested areas are white. Light and dark green indicate progressively more dense wooded vegetation. Note however the forest density varies with the seasons and is generally much denser and with a lower visibility in the summer. Note also because it is a working forest, the foresters may fell trees and clear areas at any time. Some of the less used paths may also become overgrown so that you may have to take care in locating the less obvious ones. Courses may be closed or rerouted at any time if felling is taking place (which is not very often).

THE WAYFARING COURSE

1)THE COURSE There are three suggested courses, and the control sites are pre-printed in red on the map supplied of the forest. All start and finish at the red triangle. You will find a wooden post at each control site (the circle on the map) marked with the control letter. This letter is the one you copy down onto your description card.

2) THE CONTROL DESCRIPTION CARD This card describes the feature in the wood where the control post is located and the space next to the description is for you to copy down the letter code found on the post.

3) THE FOLDED SHEET This contains the correct codes for each course. Please do not open until you have completed the course and returned to the finish.

4) WAYFARING CERTIFICATE When you have tried our wayfaring course you may obtain a wayfaring certificate by sending the description sheet together with a stamped addressed (9" x 6") envelope to:- Karen Nash 1 Whitelens Ave, Lea, Preston, PR2 1YA.

SPECIAL NOTES

1. There is no need to cross or use the perimeter road around the park -If you do take extreme care, at all times.
2. Fire Risk - No Smoking or Lighting Fires in the forest. In case of fire find a telephone and dial 999.
3. Please do not pick up young fawns.
4. Please Keep Dogs on a Lead at all times.
5. These courses have been planned by South Ribble Orienteering Clud in accordance with normal orienteering practice. Neither S.R.O.C. nor Lancashire County Council accept any responsibility for any accident, injury, loss or damage by any person undertaking these courses.

DETAILED PROCEDURE

If you are a beginner to orienteering or wayfaring then try the short course first. From the northern tip of the car park, walk north west along the track for about 25 metres until you come to the path junction. This is the start point and you are now standing at the centre of a red triangle marked on your map. There is also a post to mark the spot on the ground. Before you start, check the time so you can see how long you take to go round the course. Look at the short course Study the control description sheet and you will see:-

14 - 1 - VEGETATION BOUNDARY (CORNER) - this space to write down the code found on the marker

Now look at the map and follow the track you are on. You will pass by a path junction on your left, and after about 400 metres traversing open land (shown as yellow on the map) the forest (shown as white on the map) closes to the path from the right. At this point you will see the control marker post at the edge of the forest. Copy the code letter found on the post onto your description sheet. Now proceed to the second control - and so on to the finish. Having completed the course now open the envelope or folded sheet to check if you have found the correct controls.

Now you can try the medium and long courses. These courses take you a bit more off the beaten track than the controls on the short course. Remember that orienteering is all about navigation, taking the best route, and not getting lost. The straight line route is rarely the best choice.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Beacon Fell Country park. Please help us by observing the Country Code. In particular please take your litter home.

ORIENTEERING COURSE PACKS ARE AVAILABLE FORM THE BOWLAND VISITOR CENTRE AT A COST OF £1.30 for Juniors £1.50 Seniors OR THEY CAN BE RENTED FOR A NOMINAL CHARGE . See the information assistant for details.

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