Orienteering in Switzerland 🇨🇭

Overview

Switzerland is one of the world's leading orienteering nations, with a strong club culture, highly competitive athletes and a long tradition of international success. Orienteering is widely practised across the country, from local training events to major international competitions, with excellent opportunities for both recreational and experienced orienteers.For visiting orienteers, Switzerland offers an exceptional combination of precise mapping, challenging terrain and breathtaking landscapes. You can navigate through complex forests in the Jura Mountains, race across Alpine slopes with panoramic views or explore narrow streets in historic Swiss towns. Its efficient public transport system also makes it relatively easy to combine competitions with sightseeing.

Official event calendar ↗

Major terrains & landscapes

• Alpine forests & mountain slopes – Graubünden and Valais: Steep hillsides, rocky ground, intricate contours and high-altitude forests create physically demanding courses, often with spectacular mountain scenery.• Limestone & karst – Jura Mountains: Detailed depressions, rocky features, sinkholes and complex vegetation boundaries provide some of Switzerland's most technically challenging forest orienteering.• Rolling forests & glacial terrain – Swiss Plateau: Mixed woodland, subtle contours, small valleys and varied vegetation offer classic Central European navigation, often close to major cities.