The Area:
Wendover Woods is a beautiful area of woodland on the north edge of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. Named after the nearby town of Wendover, the woods are owned by the Forestry Commission.
Covering 800 acres, the woods are a mixture of coniferous and broadleaved trees, and in springtime many parts of it are carpeted with bluebells. There are many signed walks for recreation, as well as bridleways, picnic and barbecue areas, a cafe, children's playground and adventure areas and a Go Ape treetop activity centre.
There are views of the countryside in the Aylesbury Vale to the north, and a stone monument lying within the woods on Haddington Hill which marks the highest point of the Chilterns (267 metres).
The Cache:
From the main car park, walk down the gravelled road south of the car park past the Go Ape activity centre, past the picnic areas to where it ends in a little turning circle, and on the right you'll see a signboard for the start of a Fitness Trail. Along this 1 mile trail are 10 fitness stations to challenge your strength, speed and stamina. Please note the signboard states "Not suitable for children" but I'm sure that kids of any age would find ways to have fun.
The Trail is fairly easy going but after you pass the 6th fitness station ("Hurdles") you'll need to go off-track through the woods and undergrowth for about 130 metres, which could be difficult if the undergrowth is built up. For an easier but less direct route you can continue up the Fitness Trail to the 8th fitness station ("Weaving Obstacles"), cut across to the large bridleway on the right, and then head back down the bridleway towards the cache location. The cache container is a small rectangular plastic clip-lock box containing a log book, pencil and a few small goodies. Please note the Trail can get a bit muddy in winter and periods of heavy rain -- wellies advised!
Note that if you wish to avoid the Fitness Trail altogether and have an easier/shorter walk, follow the large gravelled bridleway that goes off to the left from the turning circle -- this is the bridleway mentioned above. Take the right-hand path when it forks into two.
NOTE from the landowner: The landowner (Forestry Commission East England) does not assess the suitability or safety of the cache location. The cache placer and the cache finder have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to protect their own safety and the safety of others. Hazards observed at or on route to the cache location should be reported to the cache placer.