Orienteering

The sport orienteering is one in which the participants use an accurate, detailed map and a compass to find points in the landscape. It can be enjoyed as a walk in the woods or as a competitive sport. 

A standard orienteering course consists of a start, a series of control sites that are marked by circles, connected by lines and numbered in the order in which they are to be visited, and a finish. The control site circles are centered around the feature that is to be found; this feature is also defined by control descriptions (sometimes called clues). On the ground, a control flag marks the location that the orienteer must visit. 

To verify a visit, the orienteer uses a punch hanging next to the flag to mark his or her control card. Different punches make different patterns of holes in the paper. 

The route between "controls" (refers to the flag or the site) is not specified, and is entirely up to the orienteer; this element of route choice and the ability to navigate through the forest are the essence of orienteering. 

Most orienteering events use staggered starts, like in track races, to ensure that each orienteer has a chance to do his or her own navigating, but there are several other popular formats, including relays and events in which the orienteer must find as many controls as possible within a specified time. 

Backpacking and Hiking

 - Buzzard Swamp - A unique partnership between the Allegheny National Forest and the Pennsylvania Game Commission provides a wildlife viewing and hiking area equaling the best the Forest has to offer. Eleven (11) miles of interconnecting provide excellent opportunities to enjoy the area. 

 - Beaver Meadows - This system consists of a little more than seven (7) miles of interconnected trails offering serene, leisurely hiking around Beaver Meadows Lake. 

 - Cooks Forest - The beauty and splendor of virgin white pines and one of the State’s most popular parks is housed, in part, in Forest County. The hundreds of miles of hiking trails can be easily accessed from any number of locations. For safety purposes, hikers should obtain a complete description of trails from the park office before setting out on a hiking excursion.

 - Minister Creek - The six and one-half (6.5) mile trail at Minister Creek is a little more challenging, but offers a spectacular view of the valley and at the right time of the year the mountain laurel is breath taking. The trail intersects the North Country Trail along the northern segment. 

 - Loleta - The three mile hiking trail starts and ends at Loteta.  The trail passess a sceinc overlook of the Millstone Valley.

 - Tionesta Dam - The paved roadway makes an excellent casual walking area. Hikers can also follow paths along the shoreline and/or hike the various trails on the hillside overlooking the control tower and boat launch area. In addition, there are trails leading to the outflow and on into Tionesta. 

For a more defined yet still challenging endeavor, the enthusiast can schedule a long weekend and hike the 80 or so miles of North Country Trail. The trail is a multi-state hiking trail that stretches from North Dakota to New York and crosses Forest County. Heading north, the trail begins at Cooksburg and winds it’s way up through Kelletville and on into Warren County. The trail includes gorgeous scenery and refreshes the spirit!