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Letterboxing

Letterboxing is an outdoor search activity: participants follow clues to hidden boxes, stamp the find in their own logbook and leave their signature stamp in the box logbook. The focus is orientation, clues, careful handling of hiding places and community rules.

LevelMain sport FamilyOutdoor Sport CategoryOutdoor activity

AI-generated illustration: Letterboxing — AI-generated illustration

Classification

Category Outdoor activity

Family Outdoor Sport

Level Main sport

Getting started

Kurzbeschreibung A clue-based search for hidden boxes with stamp and logbook.

Geeignet für Suitable for people who like walks, puzzles, map reading and quiet outdoor discovery.

Cost Very low: stamp, small logbook, ink pad, weatherproof clothing and possibly map/compass. Travel, replacement materials, event/community fees or new stamps. No classic club structure; Atlas Quest, Letterboxing North America, local groups or outdoor communities. Search or plant boxes only legally and with respect for nature protection, property and local rule…

First progress A first find is often possible on the first outing; clue and map routine grows with experience.

Fitness level low to medium

Was du brauchst

clue
signature stamp
logbook
ink pad
weatherproof clothing
possible map/compass

First steps

read getting-started guide
find nearby box
prepare stamp/logbook
follow clues respectfully
rehide box exactly

Letterboxing North America, Atlas Quest, local outdoor group or family/scout offer.

Check weather, route, property and nature rules; go alone only on suitable routes.

Weitere Angaben

Tags indoor, outdoor, letterboxing, outdoor-sport, outdoor-aktivitaet, hinweis-und-stempel-suche, outdoor-activity, clue-and-stamp-search

Rules and format

Die Grundlagen

Ziel

Solve clues, find the box, log/stamp the find and rehide the box unchanged.

Teilnehmer

Individual or small groups.

Teamgröße

open.

Spielfeld

Outdoor search area with permitted hiding places.

Dauer

Depends on format and event.

Wertung

Community log instead of formal point scoring.

Gewinnbedingung

Best valid time, placing or score in the announced format.

Ausrüstung

stamp
logbook
ink pad
clues
optional map/compass

Wichtige Regelpunkte

damaging a box
leaving a box visible
ignoring property/nature rules
publishing clues without permission

Regelquellen

Federations and sources

Getting Started Letterboxing North America · community-guide · medium
Letterboxing FAQ Atlas Quest · community-faq · medium
Letterboxing North America Letterboxing North America · community-listing · medium