Canal de Nante à Brest-Echelle d’écluses d’Hilvern Multi-cache
Canal de Nante à Brest-Echelle d’écluses d’Hilvern
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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To find this cache by the suggested route will take you on a walk of about 1.5km along the tow-path of the Nantes-Brest Canal. Apart from the last 30m, the path is crushed stone so is suitable for wheelchairs, prams, bicycles etc.
This stretch of the canal is part of the ‘Hilvern Ladder’, a flight of locks which raise the canal from the river L’Oust at St. Sampson, up to the ‘bief de partage d’Hilvern’ which is one of the three man-made sections of the canal. This joins the canal to the river Blavet at Pontivy. The locks on this section are so close that there has to be holding ponds for the water used to fill the locks. These ponds, on each section of canal between the locks, teem with both flora and fauna. As you walk along, watch carefully for the blue flash of the wings of a kingfisher, flying just ahead of you. In summer, amongst the lily pads, you may catch sight of large pike perch, roach etc. or see a grey heron or white egret fishing for smaller fish. If you do spot any unusual wildlife, please include a short account in your log.
Suggested parking is at N48° 06.831, W002° 49.932. From here, cross the road bridge to the tow-path. At the given waypoint is the first of 3 lock-keeper’s cottages that you will need to find to work out the final position of the cache. Above the main door of the cottage is the number and name of the lock. The 2 digit number is AB
The Cottage has been painted and the number not repainted - it was 76 Hilvern
Substitute the digits in the next waypoint which is:-
N48° 0B.A[B-4][A-2] W002° 4[A+2].[A-2][A-2][A+2]
This will take you to another Lock-keeper’s Cottage, the number above the door is CD. Using these digits with those from the first cottage, proceed to the next way-point which is:-
N48° 0B.[C-D]BB W002° 4[C+1].[A+1][C-A][D+1]
This brings you to the third cottage, again use the digits EF to substitute in the final waypoint to find the position of the cache:-
Cache Position :- N48° [C-F]B.[C-D]D[D+E] W002° [C-D][F+1].[A+1]B[C-A]
To reach the cache you will need to cross the canal and take a small track on the right. Please make sure that the cache is well hidden when you leave it, as the area is frequently used by huntsmen and fishermen. In summer the tree cover may hinder the accuracy of GPSrs so I have included some spoiler photographs.
If you would like further information on walking or cycling any part of the Nante - Brest Canal, please contact me via the profile
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur onfr bs gur ovttrfg gerr.