This piece of National Trust land, known as Holcombe Moor, is a
fine example of Lancashire hill country. The views on the way to
the cache are wonderful in all seasons of the year, so choose a
clear day for your visit.
The first location can be reached by several routes, one of
which is the bridlepath which starts at Holcombe village. There is
a car park on the main road at N53°38.501 W002°19.990. You could
make this a bike and hike if you wanted - you would just have to
leave your bike at the bottom for the last climb up to the
cache.
An alternative way to the first co-ordinates is to follow paths
through Redisher Wood Local Nature Reserve, north of Holcombe Brook
(parking at suitable spots on the main road). There are many
different paths through beautiful woods of beech, birch and other
native trees - some are public rights of way and are shown on OS
maps, but others are only signposted in the reserve. Other paths
lead through Holcombe Army Range and it can be fun spying on groups
of cadets who are training in ambush tactics and trying to get past
them without being spotted...ahem! Please observe restrictions when
the red flags are flying. It should be noted that both locations
are outside the boundaries of the army range, and if the red flags
are flying you can still reach both caches without having to enter
into the line of fire! More info at
http://www.bury.gov.uk/TransportAndStreets/PublicRightsOfWay/HolcombeMoorFiringProgramme.htm
At the given co-ordinates is hidden a slim blue credit-card-sized
container, inside which are the co-ordinates for the final cache.
Please replace this carefully under its stone!
Note that the whole route can be very muddy at times, so wear
suitable footwear. Also the moorland section can be very exposed in
winter, so be prepared for severe weather and icy conditions. The
higher ground is rocky and rough, as this area was once quarried,
so take care where you place your feet. I do not accept any
responsibility for any injury to yourself or members of your party
should you choose to seek this cache!
The cache is a GREEN plastic lock'n'lock storage box and
contains a log book, pencil and sharpener, a couple of nice items
and some tacky swaps. It is hidden in a rocky niche, ABOVE where by
a freaky coincidence, is hidden a letterbox/orienteering type box,
from 1990!
