The Kuopio area is known for its challenging terrains. The 2023 pre WOC middle distance and Finnish Relay League (Viestiliiga) competitions in North Savo feature typical Finnish terrain that changes from old-growth forest to commercial forest in the blink of an eye. In the Kuopio area, the variations in elevation and varied sloping terrain challenge athletes’ physical skills and abilities. 

The terrain includes rocky hill tops, which are usually easy to traverse. However, the open and clear terrain can change rapidly, so every orienteer should set their pace and assess their skills accordingly to suit the conditions. The dark green areas on the map slow down the pace considerably in late summer, which means that even micro-route choices can have a significant impact on the overall result. 

The landscape of North Savo combines the rocky outcrops of Southwest Finland, the dense woods, and coniferous forests of Kainuu, the slow-paced terrain of Häme, and the fells of North Karelia. The versatile WOC2025 terrain can only be found in Kuopio.