Smugglers' Road is an ancient ridgeway which gives superb views in all directions. It was used by smugglers landing in Christchurch harbour to move their cargo to Southampton. So other "caches" may have been hidden over the years - but with tea, tobacco or rum rather than fridge magnets!
The walk is designed from the Smugglers' Road car park N 50 50 119 W 001 44 020, giving a good 2-mile walk that should take about an hour. From the car park go up the adjacent hill to find the start of the "road" footpath. The lower parts of the heath may be quite boggy in parts. Starting from this car park should give a near circular walk. The paths can be steep and the whole area is quite exposed if it's windy or raining. Not suitable for wheelchairs or buggy's.
There are three other car parks in the area, which make the walk shorter
Pickets Post N50 51 078 W001 43 705
Verley Hill N50 50 665 W001 43 436 (two separate car parks, reducing the walk to about a mile and a half)
To find the cache you need a final number for the co-ordinates. Count the number of black drainage pipes that pass under the causeway you have arrived at. Divide the number of pipes by 6 to get the answer you need. Check both sides as may be obscure one side - need number of pipes, not ends. If you cannot divide your answer by 6 and get a whole number, count again!
This number = A
The cache is place at N50 50 5(A+4)9 W001 43 3(A+3)3
Cache placed in line with Forestry Commission guidelines, negotiated by the GAGB committee. Please read before attempting this or any other New Forest cache.
The cache is a 2 litre plastic container. Enjoy… But then PLEASE LEAVE WELL HIDDEN, Thank you.