PFO maintains a network of Permanent Orienteering Courses (POCs) across East Lancashire. Each course uses fixed posts in a local park or wood with orienteering kite markers attached — pick up the map, try it at your own pace, and tick off the controls.
Most courses come at a few difficulty levels from Easy through to Hard. Map downloads are hosted by British Orienteering on their GoOrienteering site, where you can preview, download or print the course of your choice. You will need to register once for a free account in order to download any maps from GoOrienteering
Gawthorpe Hall
Location: Padiham, in the grounds of National Trust Gawthorpe Hall.
Facilities: Free car park, occasional pop-up café, toilets and visitor centre on site.
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Gawthorpe Hall page on GoOrienteering →.
See an example of the Gawthorpe Hall map page on PFO →
Peel Park
Location: Accrington, in Peel Park and on the Coppice.
Facilities: Free parking near the bowling club. Play area a short walk away.
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Peel Park page on GoOrienteering →.
The Easy course is also available as a MapRun virtual course.
See an example of the Peel Park map page on PFO →
Roddlesworth Woods (aka Tockholes)
Location: Tockholes, in the woods around Roddlesworth Reservoir.
Facilities: Parking at the Royal Arms or Slipper Lowe car parks. The Royal Arms serves food and drink as does the Ramblers Country Cafe both of which are in Ryal Fold.
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Roddlesworth Woods page on GoOrienteering →.
See an example of the Roddlesworth map page on PFO →
Towneley Park
Location: Burnley, in the woods and former 9-hole golf course around Towneley Hall.
Facilities: Parking at the Riverside car-park in Towneley Park - charges apply. Cafés, toilets and play area in the park.
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Towneley Park page on GoOrienteering →.
See an example of the Towneley Park map page on PFO →
Witton Park
Location: Blackburn, in the country park.
Facilities: Main car park is Pay-on-Display. Café, toilets, playgrounds and the athletics track on site.
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Witton Park page on GoOrienteering →. Six suggested courses from Easy to Difficult.
See an example of the Witton Park map page on PFO →
Wycoller
Location: Wycoller near Trawden, in Wycoller Country Park.
Facilities: Parking at the Trawden side of the park (small charge), toilets, the ruined Wycoller Hall (Brontë / Wuthering Heights connection).
Where to get the maps: Download them free from the Wycoller page on GoOrienteering →.
See an example of the Wycoller map page on PFO →
Marl Pits — under maintenance
The Marl Pits POC in Rawtenstall has fallen into disrepair and isn’t currently usable. PFO will update this page once it’s been refreshed and is back on GoOrienteering.
See an example of the Marl Pits map page on PFO →
Find more permanent courses
PFO is one of many clubs running POCs around the country. To find courses further afield, head to British Orienteering’s Find a Course site → and search by postcode or area.
Greater Manchester Orienteering Association (GMOA) have a large number of well maintained POCs around Greater Manchester. Visit the GMOA site →