Horse Hill Nature Preserve

Permanent Orienteering Course


There are 18 orange and white 4X4 inch squares mounted to green metal posts in 
various locations throughout the preserve. On the map, or map [pdf] their 
locations are marked by purple or yellow circles. There are two orienteering 
courses, an advanced and beginner course. The advanced course is indicated by 
the purple circles, while the beginner is shown by the yellow circles. Around 
each of the markers there is a land feature that helps direct the orienteerer to 
the marker (e.g. hill top, boulder, rock wall corner, ect.). The feature is 
described in the hints portion below:



Beginner Course

B-1. On steep south-facing hillside 

B-2. In a stumpy area, by a boulder

B-3. Top of hill

B-4. Past a small clearing on a north-facing hill

B-5. Near a rock wall on trail, top of small hill

B-6. Near moss-covered felled trees, top of hill

B-7. Top of hill with pond to north

B-8. On Hill, in a ditch


Advanced Course

A-1. On steep east-facing hillside

A-2. Overlooking steep hillsides

A-3. On hill facing north

A-4. By big boulders

A-5. By tree growing out of rocks

A-6. In abandoned trail area, overlooking water

A-7. In corner of a rock wall

A-8. On knoll

A-9. Between hills, south of old trail

A-10. Looking down a slope on pond 

Once you have found a marker make sure you have found the correct post. Each of 
the markers will have a letter/digit code (A-1, A-2, A-10, B-1, B-2, ect) The 
“A” or “B” in the code tells whether the marker is a part of the advanced or 
beginner course. The number corresponds to the marker number on the orienteering 
map. 


Be aware that orienteering is a sport where you bushwhack through the forest. 
This puts you in a situation where you may be bitten by bugs or snakes, slip, 
injured, or LOST. Pay attention to where you are and what is around you. Always 
orienteer with a friend. If you get lost, walk northward. No matter where you 
are in the preserve, if you walk north toward Amherst Rd, you will hit a trail, 
road, or civilization within a mile. 

Parking is available on the north side of the preserve off of Amherst Rd (184 
Amherst Rd. Merrimack, NH).