Geocaching and orienteering


If you like maps, GPS devices, and adventure, running, walking or cycling across varied terrain, then orienteering or geocaching are fun experiences for all the family.

Get into geocaching

Combine outdoor adventure with the excitement of a high-tech treasure hunt, kids love it! Grab a handheld GPS device (or download a GPS app onto your phone), an Ordnance Survey map and begin your journey into the countryside to track down hidden caches.

Each hidden box (and some are very hard to find) usually has a logbook to record your visit, and often some kind of small 'trade items' left by previous explorers. Take something, leave something, that's the rule. Log your find and share your experiences on the official geocaching site.

To look for caches, sign-up for free to www.geocaching.com. Then search for any location, the quickest way is to enter a postcode, you'll then find coordinates and clues for your nearest caches. Decide which ones you want to bag, download or enter the co-ordinates manually into your GPS receiver or phone, check out the location on an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map, then set out to find them.

There are hundreds hidden around the North York Moors, many taking you to places you didn't know exist. If you love art and the outdoors have a go at our Geocache Arts Trails in Staithes and Sandsend.

Staithes Geocache Arts Trail

Two Mermaids have become accidentally trapped in Staithes with their guard dog Fido. Join renowned artist Laura Knight to rescue them! Collect six stamps hidden around the village and return the mythological creatures to their kingdom beneath the waves. Whilst on your adventure, look out for Paul Czainski’s murals as part of the Illusion trail. There are more than 10 to find! To take part, all you need to do is:

  1. Pick up a trail booklet from Staithes Museum (open every day 10:30am - 4:30pm). You will need one of these to record the stamps.
  2. If you are a Geocaching Premium member, open your Geocaching app and search for Staithes. You will see the option for a multi-cache in the village - happy hunting! Don't worry if you're not a member or can't access the Geocaching app, by using your trail booklet you can locate the geocaches and the friendly staff in Staithes Museum are happy to help if you get stuck!
  3. Most importantly have fun! Once the booklet is complete, take this with you as a souvenir of your visit.

FYI -  Mobile signal is limited in Staithes so we recommend downloading the Geocaching app before you arrive.

Need a clue?

If you need a helping hand to get started, these what3words address refer to a 3 metre square location in which each geocache sits. Enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.

Sandsend Geocache Arts Trail

Join three coastal creatures on a journey from Sandsend into the North York Moors National Park. Collect five stamps on your Geocache trail to complete this adventure!

  1. Pick up a trail booklet from any of these businesses, you will need this to record your stamps:
    • The Wits End Café, Lythe Bank Bottom, Sandsend.
    • Mary’s Sandwich Shop, The Parade, Sandsend.
    • Tides Beach Shop, East Row, Sandsend.
    • Sandside Café, East Row, Sandsend.
    • Lythe Community Shop, High Street, Lythe.
  2. Head north out of Sandsend onto the Cleveland Way, open your geocaching app and you will see ‘Geocache Arts Trail #1’ ahead – keep going to complete the trail!
  3. Most importantly have fun! Once the booklet is complete, take this with you as a souvenir of your visit.

Please be aware that some of the routes to the caches may be quite strenuous and you need to ensure you’re wearing the right clothing and footwear for the weather and the terrain.

We sometimes run geocaching events throughout the spring and summer where you can use one of our GPS units. These are run with the National Trust and the Cleveland Way National Trail at stunning locations, including Robin Hood's Bay, Ravenscar, Sutton Bank and Hayburn Wyke. Check out our Events for further details.

TFTC (thanks for the cache)!

Geocaching on the coast (c) Dependable Productions

The moorland of the North York Moors is the perfect place to hone your compass skills; it's also a great place to have a go at orienteering, whether it's a dash around one of the permanent orienteering courses using just a map and compass or entering one of the many events. Either way, they're fantastic ways to explore more of the countryside.

If you've not tried orienteering before, the idea is to navigate in sequence between control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. Several activity companies will show you the basics and many of them provide navigation and map reading training too. We also run compass skills days, see our Events for dates.

Eborienteers is an active orienteering group running events throughout the year in the North Yorkshire area. Their White Rose Orienteering Weekend is one of the most popular orienteering events around, with four days of orienteering races and other activities as well.

Cleveland Orienteering Klub runs events in the Cleveland area.

ASF Mountaineering run two day National Navigation Award Scheme courses at various locations in the North York Moors, starting with Bronze, suitable for those with no prior map or compass skills and Silver. All courses include training and assessment and they offer bespoke courses also organised for groups.

The team at Large Outdoors provide team building exercises, basic navigation courses, activities, events, short walking breaks, yoga and walking weekends and guided day walks.

You'll also find permanent orienteering courses at Guisborough Forest and Walkway, Dalby Forest, Spiers House and Keldy Forest. Maps are available from the two visitor centres at Guisborough and Dalby Forest.

If you'd rather have a crack at orienteering on a mountain bike, North Yorkshire Mountain Bike Orienteers organise an annual calendar of events.

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