Orienteering and Mountain Biking Courses in Els Ports

Learning how to navigate in the mountains or improving your skills on a bike are two ways to enjoy the natural environment with greater knowledge and independence. Educaports’ Orienteering and Mountain Biking Courses in Els Ports combine training with practical exercises in an ideal setting for putting new skills into practice: Els Ports Natural Park.

The experience offers two options: orienteering and mountain biking (MTB), each with its own specific content. In both cases, the aim is to develop practical skills that can later be applied on other outdoor adventures. In addition, small groups of between 4 and 12 participants allow the practical exercises to be adapted to the terrain and carried out with close guidance.

Orienteering and Mountain Biking Courses in Els Ports: learning by doing

The courses have a strongly practical approach. Before heading outdoors, participants learn the concepts needed to understand the techniques and equipment they will use during the activity. The next step is to put this knowledge into practice in Els Ports.

The standard format combines one full day of outdoor activities with a one- to two-hour theory session on the previous day. Two-day courses are also available, providing more time to explore the content in greater depth and extend the practical training.

In this way, the mountains themselves become the learning environment. The landscape, tracks, trails and different types of terrain are all part of the experience, allowing participants to practise situations they may encounter on future outings.

Learning to navigate with a map and compass

Knowing how to read a map and relate it to the surrounding landscape is a particularly useful skill when exploring the mountains. The orienteering course begins by introducing the tools and concepts needed to determine your position and choose the right route.

The map and compass are the main tools. However, the course also introduces other navigation resources, including apps, Garmin devices and GPS.

After learning the basic techniques, participants move on to practical exercises in the field. Finally, they take on an orienteering course, where the challenge is to locate a series of markers by interpreting different maps and terrain.

As a result, navigation moves beyond theory and becomes a practical challenge involving observation, decision-making and the application of newly acquired skills.

Improving your mountain biking technique

The other option focuses on mountain biking. This course develops the skills needed to ride with greater control over different types of tracks and trails.

The day begins with aspects related to technical equipment and safety. Participants then practise fundamental skills such as body position on the bike, braking and cornering.

In addition, other common mountain biking situations are gradually introduced during the practical ride. These include negotiating obstacles, reading and anticipating the terrain, riding steep descents and tackling technical climbs.

Therefore, this is more than simply a mountain bike ride. The route becomes a practical training ground for learning how to respond more effectively to different terrain and trail conditions.

Els Ports as an outdoor learning environment

The courses take place in Els Ports Natural Park, although there is no single fixed location. Educaports selects the most appropriate area according to the chosen activity, the time of year and the characteristics of the course.

This flexibility makes it possible to work on different types of terrain. In fact, whether you choose orienteering or mountain biking, learning how to interpret the landscape ahead is an important part of the experience.

The required equipment also varies. For the orienteering course, participants should bring clothing suitable for the season, hiking footwear, a backpack, mobile phone, water and food. Educaports provides the maps and compasses.

For the mountain biking course, each participant must bring their own bike, helmet, knee pads, gloves, backpack, water, mobile phone and food.

Finally, the Orienteering and Mountain Biking Courses in Els Ports combine physical activity, practical learning and direct contact with the mountains, providing useful skills for enjoying future outdoor adventures with greater technique, independence and safety.

Practical information

Course calendar
Please check availability and dates. Tailor-made courses can be organised for groups of at least 4 participants. Educaports also usually schedules 2 to 3 courses per year.

Duration
Standard option: 1 full day, plus a 1- to 2-hour theory session on the previous day.
2-day courses are also available.

Participants
Minimum: 4 people
Maximum: 12 people

Price
Between €45 and €90 per person, depending on the duration of the course.

What is included?
Theory and practical training for the chosen activity. For the orienteering course, Educaports provides maps and compasses. For the mountain biking course, participants must bring their own bike and the required equipment.