The High Lane East to Mapperley walk (hence HiLEM) - 5½ miles in total, with 21 caches.
** See below for route advice**
It is mainly a rural walk, so at times you can expect mud. Both cattle and horses are sometimes kept in the fields you will be passing through; there are not normally any problems, but if you have a dog with you please be more attentive.
Because the countryside part of the walk is not circular, the route finishes by coming along the main High Lane – a very busy road, the A609, but four micros have been placed along this section to keep you occupied on the way back.
You are advised to park at Straw’s Bridge car park (see parking coordinates on #1), but obviously you may choose not to, or you might do the walk over a number of visits.
All of the caches have been “placed to find” – there may be the odd trickier one, but nothing too complicated for those who are not new at the game. Most of the caches have a hint but there’s the odd one where you’re on your own!
You will NEED a pen, and you are also likely to NEED tweezers. If you can’t find a cache, please log a DNF or let me know – I don’t want any throw-downs along the route please.
As you enter Mapperley Village from the last cache on Slack Lane, there is a footpath on the left which will take you towards this one. If you miss it and end up in the village, it’s not a problem – just turn left, then left again at the side of the church. There are other caches in Mapperley Village if you fancy a change while here!
After #10, retrace your steps a short distance, and then take the path on your left, past the farm. The route to this one includes three stiles, one of which is quite high. Also, you will almost certainly encounter horses and/or cattle along this stretch. It is possible to avoid the stiles (and these horses - though there will be others!) by returning to Mapperley and heading down to #12, then following the route in reverse to this one. The walk will, of course, be slightly longer that way.