What is a steering mark in orienteering?

In orienteering, a steering mark refers to an easily identifiable feature in the landscape that helps participants navigate and stay on course. These features could include natural landmarks like hills, streams, or distinct trees or man-made structures such as buildings or signs. They serve as visual references that orienteers can use to orient themselves and confirm that they are progressing along the correct path. By relying on these prominent features, navigators can effectively manage their route and ensure that they are heading in the right direction.

While items on a map could provide valuable information for navigation, they do not serve the same immediate visual purpose as steering marks. Similarly, timed checkpoints are used in some competitive contexts to measure progress or performance but do not provide navigational assistance in the same way. A compass is an essential tool for navigation, but it does not represent a physical feature in the landscape that orienteers would use as a steering mark.