Croft Head high road. Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Croft head high road is another cache I've hidden taking you to a beautiful viewpoint in the hills around Moffat. The route takes you from the fertile valley floor through rough sheep grazing, a rocky ravine, a steep alpine like plantation and wild heather moorland. As you'd expect with changing habitat a variety of wildlife can be seen along the way. With free parking and good paths thrown in too what's not to like! Total ascent of the hike is around 550m.
On the Southern Upland Way after leaving Moffat heading east there is a choice to continue on the valley floor or take an alternative high route. The route on a clear day allows excellent views of the Moffat and Ettrick hills as well as the northern lake district. At an elevation of 637m Croft Head counts as both a Graham and Donald for any hill baggers, it can be included in the Ettrick Horseshoe route or be had in a route encompassing Capel Fell and Croft head from Selcoth fish farm. For anyone only looking just to find the cache the shortest path is from the free parking at the fish farm.
Good tracks and hill paths lead the way to ground zero a map is still recommended and sturdy footwear along with a good jacket as the weather can change.
If starting from the fish farm parking the cacher should head south west along the track past the pond until a sign marked public footpath is reached. Follow this track south east up the hill roughly following and fording (at the sheepfold) Selcoth burn to the head of the valley where you will meet the Southern Upland Way. The scree path at the head of the valley is not very wide and can be a little scary! After meeting the SUW read the sign by the sheepfold and head up the zig zag path onto Croft Head. Follow the great path to ground zero. The cache is similar to a 35mm film canister. You'll need a pen to sign the log.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur pnpur vf uvqqra pybfr gb n genvy znexre naq fubhyq or na rnfl svaq sbe frnfbarq pnpuref.