Speech House Central 2 - Branch of a Branch Traditional Cache
ChippyBloss: Decided to end this series as we no longer lie in the area.
Speech House Central 2 - Branch of a Branch
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Here is another of our circular routes this time with Speech House at its centre. The trail is along the cycle track that follows the route of the old forest mining railway, with various starting points along the way. We started the trail from the bottom of Speech House Hill where there is free parking (outside the barriers) for 8-10 cars. Other suitable parking places are available but do remember if you park inside the barriers they close at 5pm in the winter.
This trail may be done on bikes or on foot. It is just over 7 miles however so is more suitable for bikers or fit walkers. The trail may be split into 2 sections for those on foot, with routes back to parking spots via Spruce Ride or the Gloucestershire Way, but by the time you have done this you might as well have walked the total distance on the easier cycle track. The trail is also on very good made up tracks and the gradient is never severe – as long as you attempt the caches in numerical order. Attempt the circuit in reverse numerical order & you will see why we put that bit in bold.
The caches are quite widely spaced apart, to avoid cyclists having to hop on & off too frequently. We would also suggest a local Explorer map (OL14) may be useful, or download one from the Internet, or use the marvels of technology on your GPS – they show the route accurately and have the local parking and picnic spots on them.
If you fancy a break for lunch there are quite a few places to consider – New Fancy picnic site, Beechenhurst picnic site and BBQs, Speculation picnic site off the New Road or Folders Green/Cannop picnic site – depends where & when you set off from on the circuit. Don’t forget, if you are parked up inside a barrier get back to the car by 5pm in the winter months, or you could have a long journey home that night. In the summer you have at least 2 hours more time available.
Finally, there is a first to find prize in one of the 9 caches around the circuit, but we could not possibly say in which one it is hidden.
Cache 2 is hidden very close to the main cycle track but can also be accessed from the junction with the side spur which originally led to Mirystock Tunnel. There is another cache hidden nearby at Mirystock (GC2JMTN – Gangers End HOOF) should you wish to combine caches. Speculation Parking and Picnic site does offer a second possible starting point for the circular route, if you would like to start your day at cache number 2. This cache is a camouflaged micro - watch out for Muggles in all directions!! With thanks to the Forestry Commission for allowing us to place these caches.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Onfr bs VPG - whfg bss znva genpx.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures