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SDGT Meon Valley Trail Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

Geocaching HQ Admin: We hope you enjoyed exploring South Downs National Park. The South Downs GeoTour has now ended. Thank you to the community for all the great logs, photos, and Favorite Points over the last 6 years. It has been so fun!

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Hidden : 2/11/2015
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   large (large)

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Geocache Description:

Note the secret code in this cache and find others to earn yourself a geocoin as part of The South Downs GeoTour. Record the codes in the #SDGeoTour passport, downloadable from our website or at SDGT Visitors Welcome.

Post your adventures online using #SDGeoTour


A large traditional cache in a fairly hefty location. A little hunting may be required but you don't need to go down the steep banks. There has been a lot of work on the trail recently so you may find some sections are not quite finished with the final surface - you can still access the trail you just might need to look out for big vehicles.

LOCAL INFORMATION

The Meon Valley Trail

The Meon Valley Trail stretches for over 10 miles from Wickham to West Meon, through the South Downs National Park along a disused railway bed. This recreational trail, open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, passes through the beautiful Meon Valley, providing breathtaking views across Hampshire’s Countryside.(please take care and check for closures as this track is currently being resurfaced, fully open in June)

The River Meon is a typical chalk stream home to a diverse range of species including otters and 16 species of fish. The rich fertile valley has also attracted people since before Saxon times. There is evidence of the Saxon’s very close to this site.

Take the trail southwest and you’ll enter a deep cutting carved into the base of Old Winchester Hill where the trail connects up a steep ramp that runs to Hayden Lane and a public footpath. The footpath runs to Sheep Bridge on the top of a Saxon Parish Boundary bank; classified as a scheduled ancient monument. The former railway the trail runs along is a much more recent addition to the valley. To the northeast of this spot is the former West Meon station, where the remains of the original platforms, a cattle dock and a buffer beam can all be seen.

TRAVELLING SUSTAINABLY

Fareham station is the closest train station to explore this area.

You can cycle to this geocache, access to the area is via the Meon Valley Trail (please take care and check for closures as this track is currently being resurfaced, fully open in June)

PERMISSION

Cache placed with kind permission from Hampshire County Council

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

chyy bhg gur oybpx va gur onpx bs gur ybt

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)