GST Newcastlewest Traditional Geocache

A quick one off grab on an old railway line or, hopefully, part of a series along the Great Southern Trail. Anyone with an interest in walking/cycling through rich farmland or in old stone bridges will love the trail.

The Great Southern Trail (GST)is a 38 km trail from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale that is suitable for walking and cycling. It is on the Line of the Limerick to Tralee rail line that opened in 1880 and carried passengers till 1977 and goods to 1988. 

The Great Southern Trail Action Group, www.southerntrail.net,  are a non-profit group working to develop the Limerick to Tralee section of the trail so that everyone can explore this beautiful region in a safe, leisurely way by foot or bicycle. Dogs are permitted on the trail, please read a code of conduct for all trail users and observe the Leave No Trace Principles or Country Code. For cyclists a hybrid bike is probably most suitable as the surface is a bit rough for the slick tyres on a pure road bike. Be aware that here are gates across the trail and you will have to dismount to negotiate these.Work is ongoing to improve signage and to extend the line.

It has a very good surface for walkers or runners.

As a former railway line it has gentle gradients but cyclists may feel the effort of getting up to the Bearna gap from either direction.

This cache is at a point where the lines to and from Newcastlewest ststion meet. The train had to enter the station to continue its journey as the 2 lines meeet in a y shape.

This is the first cache on the Great Southern Trail. Ballyhoura1 and Japandamo are placing a few caches on the trail and hope that a few other cachers will add to the numbers. If interested please contact either through their profile pages.