orienteringskart

Orienteringskart, orienteering map, is a specialized topographic map designed to support navigation in the sport of orienteering. It emphasizes terrain features, runnability, and navigational cues rather than exhaustive geographic detail, enabling competitors to plan routes between control points in unfamiliar terrain.

Maps are typically drawn to scales such as 1:10,000 or 1:7,500 for forest terrain, with contour intervals of about 5 meters; sprint maps for urban or park settings are often 1:4,000 or 1:5,000 with smaller contours. The color scheme follows standardized conventions: blue for water features, black for man-made objects and rock features, brown for contour lines and earth features, and green shades to indicate vegetation density, with white representing runnable forest. The course line and control circles are drawn in a distinctive color, commonly red or magenta, to separate the navigational plan from terrain.

Symbol sets on orienteringskart follow international standards set by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF), notably ISOM for forest maps and ISSOM for sprint or urban maps. These standards ensure consistency across events and countries.

Production involves field surveying, aerial imagery, and GIS-based drawing, often complemented by field checks before printing or digital distribution. Modern maps may be produced in vector formats for use on devices and mobile apps, and are periodically updated to reflect changes in trails, vegetation, or terrain features.

Usage spans competition and training, with maps employed by orienteers to make routing decisions during races and by clubs and schools for instruction. The accuracy and clarity of a map are critical to fair competition and effective navigation learning.