Course information
Length and climb figures are approximate and will be confirmed nearer to the event.
| Controls | Length | Climb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | 21 | 7.9km | 150m |
| Short Brown | 20 | 6.2km | 140m |
| Blue | 16 | 5.7km | 100m |
| Green | 12 | 3.5km | 60m |
| Short Green | 11 | 2.6km | 35m |
| Light Green | 11 | 2.9km | 55m |
| Orange | 9 | 2.6km | 45m |
| Yellow | 8 | 2.1km | 35m |
Mapping & Terrain
Map Notes:
The area was mapped for the 2019 event and has been updated over recent months. Map scales TBC.
The green screen for tussocks/slow run that is shown on previous maps has been REMOVED from all courses maps for clarity. The rough open ground colour really does imply rough open ground.
Terrain Notes
Darwen Moor is a wild area of upland vegetation with a gently undulating top, but with steep escarpments to the west, north and east. There has been historic quarrying and mining which has left behind many landform features. Since 2023 a peatland restoration and rewetting project has been underway. This work increases the biodiversity of the area and reduces the wildfire and flood risk. The area that is currently being worked on will be marked as out of bounds.
Registration and start times
Registration/dibber collection from 10:00 to 12:00
Starts from 10.30 to 12.30
Course close 14.30
The registration/download tent will be at the top of the New Barn Farm track near the farmhouse.
From the road/bottom of the parking field to download is 400 m with 30 m of climb.
If parked at Slipper Lowe this becomes 1.2 km but no additional climb.
From download to start is 1km with 55m of climb, the climb being all in the last 200m. Allow 15 to 20 mins from download to start + the time from where you are parked.
Finish is just off the route to start and 640 m from download. There will be a clothing dump ( uncovered ) at finish.
You must report to download even if you do not finish your course. This is essential so we know you are safely off the moor and do not start search procedures.
Directions and parking
If approaching from the M65 please exit at Junction 4 and then use the route via Bog Height Road and Tockholes. Do not approach through Abbey village as the left hand turn off the A675 onto Tockholes road is quite acute and can be dangerous. Approaching Tockholes road on the A675 from the south there is a short filter lane for the right turn.
Please car share wherever possible as off road parking will likely be limited by weather in late November.
Parking will be a mix of field parking in front of New Barn Farm and on the road either side of the entrance to New Barn Farm. We also have use of Slipper Lowe car park on Tockholes road just south of the parking field. This provides good hard standing but adds a flat 800 m walk back through the wood to the parking field. Please can camper vans use the Slipper Lowe car park. To have some cars parking at Slipper Lowe would also be useful, if you are happy for the additional walk to the parking field please let the parking marshals know and they will direct you on to Slipper Lowe.
Farm entrance: W3W ///reveal.aquatics.buckling, ( 53.684468,-2.509722 )
Slipper Lowe car perk: W3W ///enveloped.cabinets.goad, ( 53.678027,-2.509722 )
Please follow the marshals directions and if parked on the roadside take care when exiting your vehicle.
Please do not park in the Ramblers cafe car park or use their toilets unless you are going to eat there.
Entry details
On-line pre-entry only via SIEntries. No EOD.
When entering please choose a start block (15 minute window). Consider choosing an early start if you expect to take a long time.
Standard pricing will apply up to midnight Wednesday 18th November. Entry will remain open after this, subject to map availability, until midnight Friday 20th November, with a late entry surcharge of £2.00 Adults / £1.00 Young Adults & Juniors.
Entry fees for BOF-members:
| Adult (26+) | Young Adult (21-25) | Junior (20-) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 18/11/2026 | £9.00 | £6.50 | £4.00 |
| From 19/11/2026 | £11.00 | £7.50 | £5.00 |
Entry fees for non-BOF Members:
| Adult (26+) | Young Adult (21-25) | Junior (20-) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 18/11/2026 | £11.00 | £8.00 | £5.00 |
| From 19/11/2026 | £13.00 | £9.00 | £6.00 |
Dibber hire £1.00 (£40 if lost/broken). Hired dibbers must be collected from Download before heading to the Start.
£1.00 Discount per person if entering both the day and nights events.
Facilities
The will be two portable toilets located at the top of the New Barn Farm track, close to registration/download.
The excellent Ramblers cafe is 500 m north of the parking field towards Tockholes. There is a footpath through the wood or you can move your car to their car park.
The adjacent Royal Arms pub will also be open.
Pre-existing medical conditions: What you should do.
Insurance: From 1st January 2026, participants who are not members of British Orienteering will no longer be covered by British Orienteering's public liability insurance. By entering any event from 1st January 2026, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered. British Orienteering's public liability insurance used to cover non-members at events before this date.