Caches and Co-ordinates
What is Geocaching?
Have you tried Geocaching yet? It’s a high-tech ‘treasure’ hunting game for everyone. There are over 860,000 caches (treasure boxes) hidden all over the world with around 160 here in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Following given co-ordinates, you need to find the boxes, called geocaches, which are hidden outdoors and then share your experiences online.
We’ve listed several caches here as a taster to get you started and they’re all close to bus routes.How to get started
First you need to decide where you’re going to go geocaching. Choose a cache from the list in the left hand column and you'll see the grid reference, nearest bus route and a code number. Next log on to geocaching.com, enter the cache’s unique code number and you can find out more about the cache, view photographs and discover other clues to help you find it.
Next, you need a handheld GPS device. Enter the grid reference or ‘waypoint’ and the GPS unit will guide you to the location. You then need to search the area until you find the cache. If you don’t have a GPS unit, with a little experience, you could just use a map and a compass to find your way.
Geocoins
You can buy special coins with their own identity codes which you can register online and then leave as ‘treasure’ in the cache for others to find and take to other sites. The journeys the coins make can be tracked on the geocaching website – and some even travel abroad! You can buy a special Brecon Beacons National Park Geocoin from local Tourist Information Centres.
Once you’ve found the cache, take a look inside. Usually you’ll find a log book to record your visit and maybe some treasure to swap, don’t expect gold doubloons – but it might be a geocoin (see below) or a travelbug for you to take to another site but more often, it’s something fun such as a small toy. Log on to geocaching.com again to record your visit and share your experiences and photos online. If you placed a travelbug or geocoin, you can even track its progress. You’ll find lots more information on our website visitbreconbeacons.com and on geocaching.com.
Please be aware that some of the routes to the caches may be quite strenuous and, as always, you need to ensure you’re wearing the right clothing and footwear for the weather and the terrain.
The nearest bus stop to each site is listed below each description and we recommend you contact Traveline Cymru for specific timetable information.
