ISOM 2017-2

International Specification for Orienteering Maps

101 Contour

Geometry: line. Definition A line joining points of equal height. The standard vertical interval between contours is 5 m. A contour interval of 2.5 m may be used for flat…
102 Index contour

Geometry: line, text. Definition Every fifth contour shall be drawn with a thicker line. This is an aid to the quick assessment of height difference and the overall shape of…
103 Form line

Geometry: line. Definition Form lines are used where more information must be given about the shape of the ground. Form lines are added only where representation would be incomplete with…
104 Earth bank

Geometry: line. Definition An earth bank is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings, e.g. gravel or sand pits, road and railway cuttings…
105.1 Earth wall

Geometry: line. Definition Distinct earth wall. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Minimum length: 1.4 mm (footprint 21 m). Colour: brown. Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
105.2 Retaining earth wall

Geometry: line. Definition A retaining earth wall is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings used for minor peat edges and cultivation terraces.…
106 Ruined earth wall

Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct earth wall. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint 55 m). If shorter, the symbol must…
107 Erosion gully

Geometry: line. Definition An erosion gully which is too small to be shown using symbol Earth bank (104) is shown by a single line. Contour lines may be broken around…
108 Small erosion gully

Geometry: line. Definition A small erosion gully or dry ditch. Contour lines shall be broken around this symbol. Parameters Minimum depth: 0.5 m. Minimum length (isolated): two dots (0.7 mm…
109 Small knoll

Geometry: point. Definition An obvious mound or knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour. The symbol shall not touch or overlap contours. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m.…
110 Small elongated knoll

Geometry: point. Definition An obvious elongated knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour. The symbol shall not touch or overlap contours. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Footprint:…
111 Small depression

Geometry: point. Definition A small depression or hollow without steep sides that is too small to be shown by contours. The symbol shall not touch or overlap other brown symbols.…
112 Pit

Geometry: point. Definition Pits and holes with distinct steep sides which cannot be shown to scale using symbol Earth bank (104). Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol,…
113 Broken ground

Geometry: area. Definition An area of pits and / or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is…
114 Very broken ground

Geometry: area. Definition An area of pits and/or knolls, which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is clearly distinguishable…
115 Prominent landform feature

Geometry: point. Definition The feature must be very clearly distinguishable from its surroundings. Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. The symbol shall…
201 Impassable cliff

Geometry: line. Definition A cliff, quarry or earth bank that is so high and steep that it is impossible to pass/climb or is dangerous. For vertical rock faces the tags…
202 Cliff

Geometry: line. Definition A passable cliff or quarry. If the direction of fall of the cliff is not apparent from the contours, or to improve legibility, short tags may be…
203.1 Rocky pit or cave

Geometry: point. Definition Rocky pits, holes, caves or mineshafts which may constitute a danger to the competitor. Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the symbol shall…
203.2 Dangerous pit

Geometry: point. Definition A highly dangerous pit, vertical shaft or abyss where a fall into the pit could cause severe injury or death. It is strongly recommended not to use…
204 Boulder

Geometry: point. Definition A distinct boulder (should be higher than 1 m), which is immediately identifiable on the ground. Groups of boulders are represented using symbol Bouldercluster (207) or a boulder…
205 Large boulder

Geometry: point. Definition A particularly large and distinct boulder. A large boulder should be more than 2 m high. To be able to show the distinction between neighbouring (closer than30…
206 Gigantic boulder or rock pillar

Geometry: area. Definition A gigantic boulder, rock pillar or massive cliff shall be represented in plan shape. The objects can vary in shape and width. The gap between gigantic boulders…
207 Boulder cluster

Geometry: point. Definition A distinct group of boulders so closely clustered together that they cannot be marked individually. The boulders in the cluster should be higher than 1.0 m.A boulder…
208 Boulder field

Geometry: area. Definition An area which is covered with so many scattered blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually, is shown with randomly placed and orientated solid triangles…
209 Dense boulder field

Geometry: area. Definition An area which is covered with so many blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually and the runnability is affected, is shown with randomly placed…
210 Stony ground, slow running

Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which reduces runnability to about 60-80% of normal speed. The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation of important…
211 Stony ground, walk

Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which reduces the runnability significantly (to about 20-60% of normal speed). The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation…
212 Stony ground, fight

Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which is hardly passable (less than 20% of normal speed). The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation of…
213 Sandy ground

Geometry: area. Definition An area of soft sandy ground where runnability is reduced to less than 80% of normal speed.The symbol is orientated to north. Parameters Minimum area: 1 mm…
214 Bare rock

Geometry: area. Definition A runnable area of rock without earth or vegetation should be shown as bare rock.An area of rock covered with grass, moss or other low vegetation, shall…
215 Trench

Geometry: line. Definition Rocky or artificial trench. Shorter trenches may be exaggerated to the minimum graphical dimension. Impassable trenches shall be represented using symbol Impassable cliff (201). Collapsed and easily…
301 Uncrossable body of water

Geometry: area. Definition An area of deep water such as a lake, pond or river which may constitute a danger to the competitor. The black bank line emphasises that the…
302 Shallow body of water

Geometry: area. Definition An area of shallow water such as a pond or a river that can be crossed. The body of water should be less than 0.5 m deep…
303 Waterhole

Geometry: point. Definition A water-filled pit or an area of water which is too small to be shown to scale.Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the…
304 Crossable watercourse

Geometry: line. Definition A crossable watercourse more than 2 m wide. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 1 mm (footprint 15 m). Colour: blue. Comments The definition of this map symbol was…
305 Small crossable watercourse

Geometry: line. Definition A crossable watercourse less than 2 m wide. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 1 mm (footprint 15 m). Colour: blue. Comments The definition of this map symbol was…
306 Minor/seasonal water channel

Geometry: line. Definition A natural or man-made minor water channel which may contain water only intermittently. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): two dashes (2.75 mm – footprint 41 m). Colour: blue.
307 Uncrossable marsh

Geometry: area. Definition A marsh which is uncrossable or dangerous for the competitor. The black outline emphasises that the feature is uncrossable. The black outline is omitted for boundaries between…
308 Marsh

Geometry: area. Definition A crossable marsh, usually with a distinct edge.The symbol shall be combined with other symbols to show runnability and openness. At least two blue lines shall be…
309 Narrow marsh

Geometry: line. Definition A marsh or trickle of water which is too narrow (less than about 5 m wide) to be shown with the marsh symbol. Parameters Minimum length (isolated):…
310 Indistinct marsh

Geometry: area. Definition An indistinct marsh, seasonal marsh or an area of gradual transition from marsh to firm ground, which is crossable. The edge is generally indistinct and the vegetation…
311 Well, fountain or water tank

Geometry: point. Definition A prominent well, fountain, water tank or captive spring. Parameters Footprint: 12 m x 12 m. Colour: blue.
312 Spring

Geometry: point. Definition A source of water.Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the symbol is orientated to open downstream. Parameters Footprint: 13.5 m x 7 m.…
313 Prominent water feature

Geometry: point. Definition The symbol is orientated to north.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint: 13.5 m x 13.5 m. Colour: blue.
401 Open land

Geometry: area. Definition Open land that has a ground cover (grass, moss or similar) which offers better runnability than typical open forest. If yellow coloured areas become dominant, a screen…
402 Open land with scattered trees

Geometry: area. Definition Areas with scattered trees or bushes in open land may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large dots in the yellow screen. The dots may…
403 Rough open land

Geometry: area. Definition Heath, moorland, felled areas, newly planted areas (trees lower than ca. 1 m) or other generally open land with rough ground vegetation, heather or tall grass offering…
404 Rough open land with scattered trees

Geometry: area. Definition Areas with scattered trees or bushes in rough open land may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large dots in the yellow screen.The dots may…
405 Forest

Geometry: area Definition Typical open forest for the particular type of terrain. If no part of the forest is easily runnable then no white should appear on the map. Parameters…
406 Vegetation: slow running

Geometry: area. Definition An area with dense vegetation (low visibility) which reduces running to about 60-80% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction, a regular pattern of white…
407 Vegetation: slow running, good visibility

Geometry: area. Definition An area of good visibility and reduced runnability, due to, for instance, undergrowth (brambles, heather, low bushes, cut branches). Running speed is reduced to about 60-80% of…
408 Vegetation: walk

Geometry: area. Definition An area with dense trees or thickets (low visibility) which reduce running to about 20-60% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction, a regular pattern…
409 Vegetation: walk, good visibility

Geometry: area. Definition An area of good visibility that is difficult to run through, due to, for instance, undergrowth (brambles, heather, low bushes, cut branches). Running speed is reduced to…
410 Vegetation: fight

Geometry: area. Definition An area of dense vegetation (trees or undergrowth) which is barely passable.Running reduced to less than about 20% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction,…
412 Cultivated land

Geometry: area. Definition Cultivated land, normally used for growing crops. Runnability may vary according to the type of crops grown and the time of year. For agroforestry, symbol Forest (405)…
413 Orchard

Geometry: area. Definition Land planted with trees or bushes, normally in a regular pattern. The dot lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting.Must be combined with either…
414 Vineyard or similar

Geometry: area. Definition A vineyard or similar cultivated land containing dense rows of plants offering good or normal runnability in the direction of planting. The lines shall be orientated to…
415 Distinct cultivation boundary

Geometry: line. Definition A boundary of cultivated land vegetation (symbols 401, 412, 413, 414) or a boundary between areas of cultivated land when not shown with other symbols (fence, wall,…
416 Distinct vegetation boundary

Geometry: line. Definition A vegetation boundary within the forest, or a distinct forest edge. Only one of the vegetation boundary symbols (black dotted line or dashed green line) can be…
417 Prominent large tree

Geometry: point. Definition A very large single tree which clearly stands out from the surrounding vegetation. White mask is used under the green circle, to improve readability in yellow and…
418 Prominent bush or tree

Geometry: point. Definition A bush or small single tree which clearly stands out from the surrounding vegetation. Use sparingly, as it is easily mistaken for symbol Small knoll (109). Small…
419 Prominent vegetation feature

Geometry: point. Definition A vegetation feature which is significant or prominent. White mask is used under the green cross, to improve readability in yellow and green (line width of white…
501 Paved area

Geometry: area. Definition An area with a firm surface such as asphalt, hard gravel, tiles, concrete or the like. Paved areas should be bordered (or framed) by a thin black…
502 Wide road

Geometry: line Definition A maintained road wider than 5 m wide suitable for vehicles in all weather. The width should be drawn to scale, but not smaller than the minimum…
503 Road

Geometry: line. Definition A maintained road less than 5 m wide suitable for vehicles in all weather. Parameters Colour: black. Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
504 Vehicle track

Geometry: line. Definition A track or poorly maintained road suitable for vehicles only when travelling slowly. For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction.For indistinct…
505 Footpath

Geometry: line. Definition An easily runnable path, bicycle track or old vehicle track.For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction.For indistinct junctions the dashes of…
506 Small footpath

Geometry: line Definition A runnable small path or (temporary) forest extraction track which can be followed at competition speed.For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the…
507 Less distinct small footpath

Geometry: line Definition A runnable less distinct / visible small path or forestry extraction track. Parameters Minimum length: two sections of double dashes (5.3 mm – footprint 79.5 m). Colour:…
508 Narrow ride or linear trace through the terrain

Geometry: line. Definition A forest ride or a prominent trace (forestry extraction track, sandy track, ski track) through the terrain which does not have a distinct runnable path along it.Runnability…
509 Railway

Geometry: line. Definition A railway or other kind of railed track.If it is forbidden to run along the railway, it shall be combined with symbol Out-of-bounds route (711). If it…
510 Power line, cableway or skilift

Geometry: line. Definition Power line, cableway or skilift. The bars show the exact location of the pylons.The line may be broken to improve legibility.If a section of a power line,…
511 Major power line

Geometry: line, point. Definition Major power lines should be drawn with a double line. The gap between the lines may indicate the extent of the power line. The lines may…
512 Bridge / tunnel

Geometry: line, point. Definition Bridges and tunnels are represented using the same basic symbols.If it is not possible to get through a tunnel (or under a bridge), it shall be…
513.1 Wall

Geometry: line. Definition A significant wall of stone, concrete, wood or other materials. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Minimum length (isolated): 1.4 mm (footprint 21 m). Colour: black. Comments The…
513.2 Retaining wall

Geometry: line Definition A significant wall of stone, concrete, wood or other materials which is seen only from one side. Half dot must point to the lower level. Parameters Minimum…
514 Ruined wall

Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct wall. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint 55 m). If shorter, the symbol must be…
515 Impassable wall

Geometry: line. Definition An impassable or uncrossable wall, normally more than 1.5 m high. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 3 mm (footprint 45 m). Colour: black.
516 Fence

Geometry: line. Definition A passable or crossable fence, normally less than 1.5 m high. If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length (isolated):…
517 Ruined fence

Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct fence. If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint…
518 Impassable fence

Geometry: line Definition An impassable or uncrossable fence, normally more than 1.5 m high.If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 2…
519 Crossing point

Geometry: point. Definition A way through or over a wall, fence or other linear feature, including a gate or stile.For impassable features, the line shall be broken at the crossing…
520 Area that shall not be entered

Geometry: area. Definition An out-of-bounds area is a feature such as a private house, a garden, a factory or another industrial area. Only contours and prominent features such as railways…
521 Building

Geometry: area. Definition A building is shown with its ground plan so far as the scale permits.Buildings larger than 75 m x 75 m may be represented with a dark…
522 Canopy

Geometry: area. Definition An accessible and runnable area with roof. Parameters Minimum area (isolated): 0.6 mm x 0.6 mm (footprint 9 m x 9 m). Minimum (inside) width: 0.4 mm…
523 Ruin

Geometry: line Definition A ruined building. The ground plan of a ruin is shown to scale, down to the minimum size. Ruins that are so small that they cannot be…
524 High tower

Geometry: point. Definition A high tower or large pylon. If it is in a forest, it must be visible above the level of the surrounding forest.Towers with a larger footprint…
525 Small tower

Geometry: point. Definition An obvious small tower or elevated platform or seat. The object shall be with elevation above the ground.Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The…
526 Cairn

Geometry: point. Definition A prominent cairn, memorial stone, boundary stone or trigonometric point. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Footprint: 12 m in diameter. Colour: black.
527 Fodder rack

Geometry: point. Definition A fodder rack, which is free standing or attached to a tree.Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The symbol is orientated to north. Parameters…
528 Prominent line feature

Geometry: line. Definition A prominent man-made line feature. For example, a low pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) or a bobsleigh / skeleton track that is clearly visible. The definition…
529 Prominent impassable line feature

Geometry: line. Definition An impassable man-made line feature. For example, a high pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) or a bobsleigh / skeleton track. The definition of the symbol must…
530 Prominent man-made feature – ring

Geometry: point. Definition Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint: 12 m in diameter. Colour:…
531 Prominent man-made feature – x

Geometry: point. Definition Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The symbol is orientated to north.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint:…
532 Stairway

Geometry: line Definition A distinct stairway through the terrain which helps to climb very steep slopes or to cross over impassable objects. A stairway going through rock passages or between…
601 Magnetic north line

Geometry: line. Definition Magnetic north lines are lines placed on the map pointing to magnetic north, parallel to the sides of the paper. Their spacing on the map shall be…
602 Registration mark

Geometry: point. Definition At least three registration marks may be placed in the corners of the map.These can be used for printing courses on already printed maps. In addition, it…
603 Spot heigh

Geometry: point, text. Definition Spot heights are used for the rough assessment of height differences. The height is given to the nearest metre. Water levels are given without the dot.Spot…
701 Start

Geometry: point Definition The place where the orienteering starts. The centre of the triangle shows the precise position where the orienteering course starts. The start must be on a clearly…
702 Map issue point

Geometry: point. Definition If there is a marked route to the start point, the map issue point is marked using this symbol. Parameters Colour: purple (upper purple). Comments The definition…
703 Control point

Geometry: point. Definition For point features, the centre of the circle shall be the centre of the symbol.For line and area features, the centre of the circle shows the precise…
704 Control number

Geometry: text. Definition The number of the control is placed close to the control point circle in such a way that it does not obscure important detail. The numbers are…
705 Course line

Geometry: line. Definition Where controls are to be visited in order, the sequence is shown using straight lines from the start to the first control and then from each control…
706 Finish

Geometry: point. Definition The end of the course. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on 20.01.2020: Precise definition of colour: upper and…
707 Marked route

Geometry: line. Definition A marked route that is a part of the course. It is mandatory to follow the marked route. Parameters Minimum length: 2 dashes (4.5 mm – footprint:…
708 Out-of-bounds boundary

Geometry: line. Definition A boundary which it is not permitted to cross.An out-of-bounds boundary shall not be crossed. Parameters Minimum length: 1 mm (footprint: 15 m). Colour: purple (lower purple).…
709 Out-of-bounds area

Geometry: area. Definition An out-of-bounds area. A bounding line may be drawn if there is no natural boundary, as follows:• A solid line indicates that the boundary is marked continuously…
710 Crossing point

Geometry: point. Definition A crossing point, for instance through or over a wall or fence, across a road or railway, through a tunnel or out-of-bounds area, or over an uncrossable…
711 Out-of-bounds route

Geometry: line. Definition A route which is out-of-bounds. Competitors are allowed to cross directly over a forbidden route, but it is forbidden to go along it.An out-of-bounds route shall not…
712 First aid post

Geometry: point Definition The location of a first aid post. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on 20.01.2020: Precise definition of colour:…
713 Refreshment point

Geometry: point Definition The location of a refreshment point which is not at a control. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
715 Continuing point after map exchange

Geometry: point. Definition Symbol marking the continuation of the course after the map flip or the map exchange. The triangle points in the direction of the following control. Parameters Colour:…

ISOM 2017-2

101 Contour

102 Index contour

103 Form line

104 Earth bank

105.1 Earth wall

105.2 Retaining earth wall

106 Ruined earth wall

107 Erosion gully

108 Small erosion gully

109 Small knoll

110 Small elongated knoll

111 Small depression

112 Pit

113 Broken ground

114 Very broken ground

115 Prominent landform feature

201 Impassable cliff

202 Cliff

203.1 Rocky pit or cave

203.2 Dangerous pit

204 Boulder

205 Large boulder

206 Gigantic boulder or rock pillar

207 Boulder cluster

208 Boulder field

209 Dense boulder field

210 Stony ground, slow running

211 Stony ground, walk

212 Stony ground, fight

213 Sandy ground

214 Bare rock

215 Trench

301 Uncrossable body of water

302 Shallow body of water

303 Waterhole

304 Crossable watercourse

305 Small crossable watercourse

306 Minor/seasonal water channel

307 Uncrossable marsh

308 Marsh

309 Narrow marsh

310 Indistinct marsh

311 Well, fountain or water tank

312 Spring

313 Prominent water feature

401 Open land

402 Open land with scattered trees

403 Rough open land

404 Rough open land with scattered trees

405 Forest

406 Vegetation: slow running

407 Vegetation: slow running, good visibility

408 Vegetation: walk

409 Vegetation: walk, good visibility

410 Vegetation: fight

412 Cultivated land

413 Orchard

414 Vineyard or similar

415 Distinct cultivation boundary

416 Distinct vegetation boundary

417 Prominent large tree

418 Prominent bush or tree

419 Prominent vegetation feature

501 Paved area

502 Wide road

503 Road

504 Vehicle track

505 Footpath

506 Small footpath

507 Less distinct small footpath

508 Narrow ride or linear trace through the terrain

509 Railway

510 Power line, cableway or skilift

511 Major power line

512 Bridge / tunnel

513.1 Wall

513.2 Retaining wall

514 Ruined wall

515 Impassable wall