A walking or running challenge on the Long Mynd, based on OS maps, that you can do when you like. Oh yes, and chocolates for finishers!
CHOC ‘O’ is a navigation challenge on the Long Mynd.
You will have to navigate around a set of control points starting from the grid reference shown at the bottom of this sheet. At each control there is a white post, with the grid reference and description for the next point on the course. Write down the grid references and description and mark the next control on your map. Take care to copy the correct grid reference for your course!
At the last control you will find a tin of goodies. You will need code 1975 to get into the box. Enjoy, leave a message in the book, reseal! If you leave your email address, we will keep you informed about other Wrekin Orienteers events.
Please refrain from sharing photos of the controls or their location and equally your Strava or similar route traces on social media as it rather spoils the fun for those who are yet to do the course.
There are 3 courses, so you can choose how long you want to be out or how far you want to walk/run. Full details, including safety advice, are available as PDF to download.
Live from sunrise (8.12am) on Saturday 12th December 2026
until sunset (16.13pm) on Tuesday 5th January 2027
Venue: The Long Mynd, starting from Church Stretton
Courses: There are 3 courses. The lengths are in a straight line from Start control to tin of goodies via each control location. Expect to have to go further.
- Short – family friendly some hills, steep in places – 4.9km
- Long – A nice challenge, more hills –10.3 km
- Longer- Definitely has hills and challenge, you may not like me along the way – 16.5 km
You may decide that the optimum route between some of the controls is more circuitous with less climb or better paths than going in a straight line. Not all the paths you need are marked on the map, for the short I think there is an obvious path from each control to the next on the ground, even if they are not on the map.
Safety (important!): The Long Mynd is a high lump of ground that in places is very steep and in others pretty featureless. The weather can change quickly and on some days the visibility can be very poor. A sunny day in the Strettons or Shrewsbury can be very different on top of the Long Mynd.
Terrain: Steep-sided valleys with bracken and heather of various depths on the open moorland, crossed by numerous paths and sheep tracks. Not all the paths are shown on the map. All courses have some steep sections of ascent and descent and may have stream crossings and wet ground as well, depending on your route choices. Paths can be slippery when wet. Please be careful!!
Navigation equipment – Map OS Long Mynd 217 Explorer, map case, compass, pen, paper. You may use GPS, but the organisers decision on the correct locations is final.
Kit – whatever the weather when you set out please allow for an extended period of time in winter conditions. Take a hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and trousers and spare warm tops.
Survival – Take some food, drink, a whistle and a phone with you, together with any other kit you feel necessary. Please tell somebody you are out (and who will raise the alarm if necessary), tell them when you expect to finish and let them know when you do finish.
Entry: FREE!!
You can go solo, as a pair or in a larger group – the latter might make it easier to find the controls!
In the event of the chocolate supply running low, or there being any other issues please let me know.
ajweaver1@hotmail com or text/WhatsApp 07587 710122
START CONTROL: Fence West side; Grid Reference SO 449 942
Please note that I have done all the grid references from a map, not using a device. It is possible the features on the map are not quite where the grid reference says if you use a GPS device.
Have fun!
Andrew Weaver
No results will be posted for this – it’s just for fun!
