Orienteering on Monte Baldo
Orienteering originated in Scandinavia, and a basic aspect of this sport is its close contact with the environment.
It is not always the fastest runner who wins, but rather the person who is best at navigating a route across the terrain, using a special topographical map and passing through the various checkpoints in the area.
Orienteering is not just a competitive sport but can be practised every day by setting your own goal. Sportsmen can use it to train, and families and enthusiasts can do it for fun, spending a pleasant day together outdoors.
Orienteering on Monte Baldo is now assuming great importance for lovers of this sport. The institutions have started to become aware of the potential of orienteering, as it can be a serious draw for tourists from all over Europe.
The 2023 European Championships were very successful, and the inclusion of Prada as a location in the EOC tour attracted a lot of attention in the countries of northern Europe. Following this, a three-year programme to develop Orienteering in the local area was initiated with the 2-day Monte Baldo event.
On 8 and 9 July 2024, PWT Italia organised two high-altitude competitions in the province of Verona, working in collaboration with Funivie del Baldo, the Municipalities of Brenzone and San Zeno di Montagna, the Faculty of Motor Sciences at the University of Verona, Orientexpress Verona and PromoE20.
Athletes from 12 nations, including the United States, Japan and Australia, navigated a route on Mount Baldo using a compass and a topographical map.
The Prada-Costabella map of the area was enlarged for this occasion, and the new map of the lovely Pralongo beechwoods was also produced.
Thanks to its special environmental heritage, Monte Baldo is also a candidate to host two FISO Italian Cup events in 2025.
