Rainbow Series Violet #2 Traditional Geocache
The Red Kite: Not worth replacing so being archived
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Rainbow Series: The contents of each cache are coordinated with the colour of the rainbow they represent. Please trade items of the corresponding colours.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS CACHE.
The cache is located on the lower slope on the south side of Pen Dinas.
As you approach Aberystwyth from any direction you cannot fail to see Pen Dinas, situated on the southern coastal edge of the town. The summit is 114 metres and was once the site of an ancient hill fort, built around 400BC. The chimney-like structure on the top is a monument to the Duke of Wellington, built c1852 and paid for by public subscription.
From the summit on a clear day you have fantastic views across Cardigan Bay, Snowdonia, Lleyn Peninsula and the Rheidol and Ystwyth Valleys. It is a nice spot for a well earned picnic once you have found the cache.
Cardigan Bay is famous for its breeding dolphins and seals, which can often be seen along the coast, and also its beautiful sunsets. Surfers come from miles around to catch a wave at “the trap” near the harbour.
This cache may be completed as a circular walk in several directions: Please read all safety notes first!
You can approach from the A487 Penparcau Road in two places:
Turn left towards the Tollgate Inn and take the right turn opposite the pub. Access starts at the top of Parc Dinas. Park anywhere with consideration for the residents. Approach the cache via the kissing gate at the top of the cul de sac. It is a short, not strenuous walk from here.You can continue down the path to Tan y Bwlch or go back to the kissing gate and take the upper path to the summit. This is steep and narrow in places and not suitable for buggies.
Or for a longer walk: there is room for about two small cars at the start the public footpath at N52 24.506 W004 04.917 opposite the Holiday Village entrance. Please be sure to leave access to the farm track. Ascent is along the edge of a small wooded area with a meadow, then a gravel track, finally leading to the grassy summit. There may sometimes be horses in this meadow but they will generally ignore you.
The walk to the summit from here will take about 20-25 minutes. The track is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs due to kissing gates and uneven surface in places. This route involves visiting the summit first and then going down the other side to the cache.
Safety notes: Parts of this track may get muddy or slippery during very wet weather.
Being so close to the coast, the weather can change very quickly so be prepared.
For a circular walk from the summit,return via the footpath on the coastal side of Pen Dinas. Follow the track down a steep sided, narrow path, to the bungalows near Tan y Bwlch beach and on to the marked footpath. Turn right onto the lane and pass the marina on your left. At the end of this lane turn right again onto the A487 and continue up the hill towards the Holiday Village.
The cache may also be accessed from Tan y Bwlch Beach car park at N52 24.333 W004 05.368. Cross back over the bridge and turn right onto public footpath between two privet hedges. Go up the steps, turn right and follow the lane to the signposted footpath. This route involves a steep climb up the path described above.
Or: Continue down the tarmac lane to the end and go through the barrier to the left, along a grassy track (not the big metal gates). Follow the winding track around the base of Pen Dinas until you get to the cache.
Safety Notes:
The path on the coastal side of Pen Dinas is definitely not suitable for buggies and care should be taken if you have small children with you due to steeply sloping sides; it can also get very windy!
ONE FINAL WORD OF WARNING: Your GPS may point along a wide gravel track on the south east side of Pen Dinas running up and around to the north side. This is access to the milking parlour and is GATED. Unless you are fit and able to get over very high gates DON'T be tempted to take a short cut as the gates are almost always locked. You may come across the cows as they head down this track for milking, and it gets pretty messy afterwards, especially during wet weather.
This cache replaces my first ever hide which has been muggled too many times to be replaced at the original site. Please ensure it is rehidden with care.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)