This is our second series of caches, so your feedback is again most welcome. It is a circular route of 33 new hides (although a few more caches are available either on or close to the loop). The hints are intended to be fairly clear, as we would like you to find the caches and enjoy the lovely peaceful walk. But, if you do fail to find a cache, please log it as a DNF, (as it might actually be missing), then we can investigate it promptly. The route for this walk is predominately over flat or slightly undulating terrain apart from a couple of short areas with steeper inclines and descents. It has been given a 3.5 terrain rating based on completing it in one outing.
The North Downs (formation)
The geology of the North Downs is the result of erosion and deposition over millions of years. It is dominated by the Cretaceous Chalk which was laid down on the floor of a tropical sea that covered much of Europe (from about 98 to 65 million years ago). The Chalk is a rich source of marine fossils which provide evidence for an understanding of the Cretaceous environment and link Chalk sequences across Britain and the rest of Europe. The Alpine mountain building phase (starting about 50 million years ago) raised and folded the chalk, creating the distinctive anticline of the Weald; the northward-dipping North Downs chalk escarpment today forms the northern edge of this Wealden anticline.
Over the last 2 million years the landscape of Northern Europe has been affected by the advance and retreat of ice (known as the ice ages). The North Downs was never covered by ice, but its landscape was affected by extreme tundra-like conditions during the cold phases of the Quaternary Period. This has left a network of dry valleys dissecting the chalk escarpment, valley floors filled with sediments (known as coombe rock) gradually transported down slope and river terrace gravels and sands reflecting the changing course and evolution of the river system draining into the Thames and the Weald.
Information about the walk
The whole route is about 6.5 miles in length and you will find that there are a couple of additional caches from the ‘Lost Sheep’ series by the CO ‘ilovesheep’ on route or nearby. These include the traditionals’ ‘Lost Sheep #12’ and ‘Lost Sheep #9' on the route and ‘Lost Sheep #13' (traditional) and the multi ‘Lost Sheep #10’ nearby. Apart from the traditional caches on the walk there are 3 Multi caches, so it is recommended that you walk the route clockwise commencing at #01. There are a variety of containers and different hides, some more difficult than others throughout the walk, which follows a predominately flattish country route interspersed with the occasional short up and downhill sections.
Tweezers are recommended for use on some of the caches on this walk. Also, please do not forget to bring your own writing implement (pen/pencil) to sign the log sheets.
Please note that additional information for some of the caches and a number of waypoints are given within the descriptions on the various cache pages.
Dogs are allowed but owners should be aware that in a couple of areas livestock may be grazing and they should keep their pets on a lead and firmly under control in those areas. Whilst setting these caches sheep with lambs were grazing in the field after caches #13 and #21 and again there was livestock (cows/bullocks) after cache #30 and close to cache #31.
The series will take you from Hastingleigh/Elmsted, passing close to Hassell Street and then out towards the village of Waltham, then back via Bodsham to your starting point at Hastingleigh/Elmsted. The route is along small country lanes, public footpaths, bridleways and through woodland. It crosses just one style near the end. The route is extremely quiet and peaceful, well away from the sounds of major roads, motorways and in fact roads in general, with some lovely views of the typical Kent North Downs countryside.
From the suggested parking it is just a short stroll along the road to the start of the footpath leading down the track and into the woodland (see waypoint #1). In the woodland you will be looking for a bison tube hanging near the corner to get you on your way.