Up or Down Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache can take you on a pleasant circular walk from the village of Chiseldon (just south of Swindon). You will see from Explorer 169 Ordnance Survey map that there is a shallow valley leading north-eastwards from the village to close by Junction 15 of the M4. To reach the suggested start for the walk take the A 346 that goes southwards up the hill from Junction 15, and at the top take the second to the right. Then the second to the right again down Station Road, and just keep going as far as you can – you will see a little free car park on your left, on the site of the old railway station.
There are two parallel paths, one up the valley, the other along its ridge, so you can make a nice circular walk. However, if it has been raining recently it is suggested that you take the upper path and return the same way, as the slopes down to the lower path can be slippery.
Whichever path you decide to take, the start for them is the same. On the opposite side of the road from the car park is a footpath that looks like a private access along the front of a row of cottages. However, take that as it leads directly into the woods. A short way along the path there is a fork uphill to the right. If you want to start with the higher route go up that path (otherwise go straight on).The upper path takes you past the church. Go straight on, ignoring a road to the right. Go round a left-hand bend, and just before the road turns right again there is a footpath on your left. This will lead you gently down to a path that goes along the top of the valley ridge, and eventually to the cache. After finding the cache, you can carry on to the end of the path, then down through the trees to the lower path – and this will bring you back to the starting point.
You can of course start off by the lower path instead and climb to the higher one at the end. Just follow the tracks that keep to the valley. Walk right to the end then climb to the higher track and start searching. After finding the cache keep going along the higher track and find your way back to the car park.
Because it is not possible to give accurate GPS readings under trees, we have given the co-ordinates for a position on the higher track. When you reach this the cache is in the trees just a few yards away. The cache is a small 5x5" camoed plastic box.
There is a convenient pub close by the car park, and also the Landmark Hotel where you can get excellent morning coffee and afternoon teas.
P.S. The owner of this cache is getting on in years and is unfortunately unable to maintain the cache these days. It will therefore be much appreciated if future finders of this cache could provide a new log book if the original is wet or missing - also dry out the box is is is damp inside. Very many thanks. ###UPDATE JUNE 2016 Team 'Farmers& Clarke' have very kindly placed a new cache box and contents to replace the very wet original. Many thanks.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobhg urnq-urvtug
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures