The Lagan Canal at the Broadwater can be found by taking the B105 Soldierstown Road from Aghalee towards Lisburn, or can be approached from the other end of the Soldierstown Road coming from the Moira to Airport Road, taking the B105 towards Aghalee.
The Broadwater is situated in the Soldierstown area of Aghalee and can be accessed easily from the carpark and picnic area beside Soldierstown Bridge.Car park co-ords. are N54 30.028 W006 13.672
If approaching from the Aghalee end where there is only roadside parking, the trailhead is at N54 31.216 WOO6 15.817
It is part of the old Lagan Navigation Canal, which ran from Belfast to Lough Neagh. A man made feature, it was built in a natural valley in order to retain a sufficient head of water to accommodate the navigation.
Up until the middle of the last century, barges drawn by horses regularly made their journey through the valley, transporting coal, crops etc. between the various locks along the route. It is both breeding and wintering ground for a large variety of wildfowl, including ruddy tufted and mallard duck great crested grebe, coot, moorhen and swans. A large variety of fish inhabit its waters including rudd, roach, bream, perch, pike and eel. However, a coarse fishing rod licence is required from the fisheries board before fishing can be permitted.
Wildlife includes badger, fox, rabbit and otter to name a few. The large heron crane can be seen regularly flying across the area and occasionally the sparrow hawk. A variety of trees, plants and wild flowers can be found along the banks providing an array of colour in this valley of mature woodland.
The cache is a small box in a camouflage bag, and contains a log and pencil, and a few small items for trades. The path is flat all the way to the cache.
The towpath is well used by walkers, so watch out for muggles. Please replace the cache as found.