Like no other running sport, orienteering requires both speed and brains. And its popularity is widely spread, appealing to all generations regardless of age. Orienteers dash across meadows, hurry through forests, chop their way through undergrowth, and jump over creeks. They are always in search of the next control point – which they will find in the Engadin, where several orienteering courses offer alpine running fun for experienced trail runners, nature-loving top athletes, and families with kids.
The Engadin alpine beauties, such as the Albulapass, the panoramic Muottas Muragl, the World Cup champion Corviglia, the wild Corvatsch, the familiar Furtschellas, and the unique Alp Grüm, are discovered by orienteers in their own special way. Per area it is necessary to pass 15 control posts while using only a special orienteering map. Because the posts may be ticked off in random order, the runner can choose his or her own route. It’s a task that requires physical fitness, the ability to read maps, and a quick mind that can adapt to changing terrains. The orienteering maps are available at the Tourist Information Offices in Sils, Silvaplana, St. Moritz, Celerina and La Punt (for control net Albulapass), as well as at Schuler Bücher Wega in St. Moritz and at the mountain railway valley stations.
Aside from the five provided routes – which, by the way, serve as ideal high-altitude training courses thanks to their location at over 2000 metres above sea level – runners will find information on additional orienteering courses at www.engadinol.ch (in German only.) These routes are not yet marked with control points and thus challenge the creativity of the runners. School groups, for example, are in for some fun even before the real start of the race as they can decide on their own routes. Moreover, this option allows runners of all fitness levels to find a course that meets all of their demands and matches their abilities. Again, this highlights the fact that orienteering is a great sport for everyone: for amateur runners as well as for competitive athletes. And in the Engadin, they all face a unique challenge - trying not to get too distracted by our magnificent alpine views and possibly losing sight of their next goal!
