Wednesday, March 4 – Beit Keshet (East) Forest
MORNING. Forest courses with electronic timing.
Stay tuned for details.
Wednesday, March 4 – Kibbutz Ein Zivan
EVENING. Sprint courses with electronic timing.
Stay tuned for details.
Thursday, March 5 – Odem Forest
Pre-Championships Training and Model
Prior to the Israel Championships, competitors will be able to orienteer in a non-embargoed area of the forest. The training will include free-choice orienteering with controls marked by small control flags, but no electronic punching. The training will also include a suggested course of about 4-5 km.
Israel Open Championships – Odem Forest
Event Director: Shalev Feldman
Organizer: Galilee Orienteering Club
Friday, March 6 – Day 1 – Odem North
Course Planner: Dan Chissick
Course Checker: Asaf Avner
Saturday, March 7 – Day 2 – Odem South
Course Planner: Asaf Avner
Course Checker: Dan Chissick
About the Course Planners
Dan Chissick has been at the heart of Israeli orienteering for decades as both an athlete and organizer. He has represented Israel internationally and continues to compete at a high level. Dan has been central in developing orienteering in Israel—mapping new areas, planning courses, organizing events, and promoting the sport to wider audiences. For many years, Dan has written about the sport in his orienteering blog.
Asaf Avner has been competing in the elite category since his teenage years, representing Israel at EYOC, JWOC, EOC, and WOC. He is also active in developing the sport through mapping, organizing events, coaching young athletes, and accompanying national teams at international camps and competitions. Beyond orienteering, Asaf is an accomplished mountain runner and skyrunner.
About Odem Forest
Odem Forest is a remnant of the ancient forest that once that covered most of the Golan Heights. It is covered mainly with evergreen oak trees, along with pine, terebinth, and other native Mediterranean woodland plants. The forest sits on the slopes of an ancient volcano. The ground is scattered with dark basalt boulders and red tuff rock. The forest is filled with numerous rock walls and formations.
Driving Directions to Venues
WAZE: TBD
GOOGLE MAPS: TBD
Location overview
Map info: Map info and previous events
Map scale: 1:10,00 for Long/Medium courses, 1:7500 for Short courses

Arena location: TBD
Parking, toilets and other facilities are located here.
Warmup Area: TBD
Distance from arena to start:
Finish:
Start Times
Competition Day 1: 9:00 to 11:00
Competition Day 2: 9:00 to 11:00.
Start lists will be published several days prior to event.
Registration
Details will be published soon.
Registration deadline: February 14, 2026
Punching System
All events will be organized using the SPORTident electronic punching system. Competitors may use their own SI cards. SPORTident Air (SIAC) punching will be supported at all events.
SI cards can also be rented from the organizers. Loss of a rented SI card will result in a charge of €40.
Health and Safety
ISOA will provide first-aid at each competition site. Emergency care and major hospitals are within a 60-minute drive from the competition sites. ISOA will not bear responsibility related to medical costs for participants.
Awards Ceremony
Winning scores are a cumulative two-day total. Medals will be awarded for each category at the conclusion of the second day of competition.
AWARD CEREMONY – Saturday at 12:30
Contact Info
For more information, and to register, send email to: Israel Orienteering Office
Courses & Categories
Age categories for the entire 2025-26 league season, including the Israel Open Championships, are determined by the competitor’s age on 31 December 2025.
Courses / Categories |
Length (km) |
Controls | Climb (m) |
Expected Winning Time (min) |
Long H21A, H35A |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Medium P D21A H18A, H21B, H40 |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Medium A H50A, H55, H60A |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Medium B D18A, D21B, D35, H21C, H35B, H45 |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Medium Y D16A, D18B H16A, H18B |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Short+ D D21C, D40, D45, D50, D55, D60, D65 |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Short+ H H50B, H60B, H65, H70 |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Gold D70, D75, D80 H75, H80, H85, H90 |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Short D14A, D16B H14A, H16B, |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Shorty D12, D14B H12, H14B, |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
D=Women | H= Men
Recreational (family) course during the championships.
On-site registration available, depending on weather conditions.
……………………………………
O-Training and Travel in Israel
Come and enjoy additional days O-training and sightseeing in Israel. Contact office@nivut.org.il
Inexpensive Accommodations in Israel
Israel Youth Hostel Association – Network of guesthouses and youth hostels throughout Israel.
Israel Hostels (ILH) – Independent Travelers’ Accommodation
Abraham Hostels – Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Eilat locations
……………………………………
Odem means ruby, representing the color red. Odem refers to the color of the rocks of Mount Odem, an extinct volcano. The area is covered with some 20 guba, or volcanic crater, with the largest about 250 meters in diameter. It is believed they were formed by either air or water that was trapped under the lava and eventually disappeared, leaving behind a big hole. Near Odem Forest you can also see Rujum al-Hiri (Circle of Ghosts), a Megalithic structure about 5,000 years old that researchers believe was used for ritual purposes, burial or as an astronomy observatory.
2010 Orienteering Event at Odem Forest
Video clips from a hidden camera at Odem (control 58).