Fancy reaching parts in one of Kent’s best parks you may not have reached before? Check out the new orienteering course opening at Maidstone’s Mote Park.

It’s 440 acres of picturesque greenery and is many things to many people: a place to take the children, walk the dog, try watersports, ride a bike and go jogging.

Now Mote Park is adding orienteering to its list of activities.

Pick up a map at the cafe and then head off into the park, looking for check points to follow as you make your way through the grounds.

The course was officially put together by members of the Saxons Orienteering Club, with support from the council and the Mote Park Fellowship.

You don’t have to be an expert to try it – the course is suitable for beginners as well as experienced orienteers.

The inaugural event saw both seniors and juniors completing the trail, with winner Brendon Howe finishing in 36 minutes, 24 seconds, and winning juniors Elle Taylor and Callum Pattenden both completing 12 checkpoints.

You don’t have to be super fit to give it a go and the course is suitable for individuals as well as family groups.

WHAT IS ORIENTEERING?

Orienteering is an adventure sport suitable for everyone, regardless of age or fitness.
Participants navigate their way between a series of checkpoints, or controls, shown on the map as quickly as possible. There’s no set route between the controls, so you decide which way to go and then find your way there – without getting lost! The aim is to select your route to each control point marked on a map.

DETAILS

The orienteering course is now permanent at Mote Park. Pick up the instructions and map from the café near the play area for £1.50 during normal opening hours.