Newcomers to Orienteering

The aim of this page is to bring together the information most suitable for newcomers to the sport and to Happy Herts.

What is Orienteering?
Events Suitable for Beginners and Local Permanent Courses.
Happy Herts and Club Membership

What is Orienteering?
A beginner's guide to orienteering.
Orienteering Jargon Buster

HH Saturday Series - Programme of local orienteering events.
'Nearby' District and Regional Events - Events organised by local clubs including HH.

There are several local permanent courses in the area where you can orienteer using permanent marker posts at any reasonable time. Maps are usually obtainable locally to the areas for a small charge. Courses exist at :

• Whippendell Wood, Watford.
• Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City.
• Verulamium Park, St. Albans.
• Rothamsted Park, Harpenden.

Further fixtures information is available on, and linked from, the main HH fixtures page.

Happy Herts (formally The Hertfordshire Orienteering Club) is an orienteering club whose membership comes mainly from Hertfordshire, though we have some members from further afield. The club exists to :

• promote the sport of orienteering in our area
• put on quality events several times a year in the terrain we have available
• provide a social framework for club members to meet, encourage one another, share post-event analyses, train together etc. ...
• have some fun together!

If you are new to orienteering or have orienteered before and are interested in joining Happy Herts (The Hertfordshire Orienteering Club), some membership information is available. If you require further information or a membership form, please email the club Membership Secretary, Susan Marsden,

Happy Herts run an annual Schools and Youth Groups League as well as regular training events for both adults and juniors of all abilities.