Golden Leaf Orienteering Fest
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About the race
Golden Leaf Orienteering Fest is a two-day orienteering weekend in the Waterdown area on November 21 and 22, 2026. The festival comprises three separate events: a Classic at Mount Nemo, a Sprint at Joe Sams Park, and an Ontario Cup at Rockcliffe Trails.
The Classic at Mount Nemo uses a compact, detailed map of mostly open woods with trails and rocky ground in the southern section. The map scale for all Classic courses is 1:7500 and the map was updated in fall 2026. Course options are provided for different navigational aims:
- Novice all checkpoints on trails about 2–3 km
- Intermediate most checkpoints near trails about 2–3 km
- Short Advanced about 3.5–4.5 km
- Advanced about 5–6 km
The Sprint at Joe Sams Park is set in a city park with open fields, soccer pitches, baseball diamonds and a small forested section; the area is flat and focused on speed and route choice. The Ontario Cup at Rockcliffe Trails features open woods, ridges, valleys and a network of mountain bike trails and uses a mass start with courses handicapped by age and gender.
Entry fees are listed for regular and late registration and there are all three races package prices. Entry fees include race maps and a 2026 DontGetLost Adventure Running membership for race insurance; HST and transaction fees are not included. Registration closes at midnight on November 12. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
