What is a competitive form of land navigation that uses a map and compass to find checkpoints?

Orienteering is recognized as a competitive form of land navigation that involves participants using a map and compass to navigate through a variety of terrains to locate specific checkpoints. The core skills required in orienteering include understanding map symbols, recognizing terrain features, and accurately determining directions with a compass.

In orienteering competitions, individuals or teams are typically given a detailed map that displays the locations of checkpoints, often highlighted by control markers in the field. The goal is to complete the course in the shortest amount of time while accurately navigating to each control point in the correct order. The emphasis on both speed and navigational accuracy sets orienteering apart from the other activities listed, which may involve navigation but do not have the same structured competitive format.

In contrast, geocaching typically involves seeking hidden containers using GPS devices rather than traditional map and compass navigation, scrambling refers to a form of climbing that involves using one's hands on steep or rocky terrain, and trail running focuses primarily on running along trails without the navigational challenge of orienteering.