Sending your email...Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt that spans the globe. Geocachers all over the world hide simple “treasures” in the great outdoors, use a global positioning system (GPS) to mark the coordinates, then post those coordinates online so other geocachers can seek out their cache.
Usually, a cache is a container filled with small toys and other inexpensive trinkets. When a geocacher uncovers a cache, he or she usually takes an item and leaves an item of theirs behind in its place.
But it’s not so much the trinkets that lure geocachers to locations near and far (some of which are obscure and difficult to navigate) – it’s the journey that leads them there and the thrill of the find that keeps more than 5 million geocachers on the hunt worldwide.
According to Geocaching.com, there are about 1.7 million active geocaches in the world at present – more than 4,700 of which are located in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Even Downhome has hidden a geocache somewhere in the beautiful wilderness of this province. (Head for the following coordinates to find it: N 47° 42.534'; W 52° 42.519'.)
Downhome's art director, Vince Marsh, finds the perfect spot to stash our cache.
And after scouring www.geocaching.com for what we feel are the most unique or scenic geocache locations, the Downhome editors have come up with our own list of favourites. So grab your GPS, lace up your hiking boots, and begin your own high-tech treasure hunt!
Central Geocaches
Cache Name: The Rolling Stone
GC Code: GC2DV2X
Coordinates: N 48° 39.383 W 053° 58.883
Location: Traytown
“This trip will take you in the woods behind the Town of Traytown to The Rolling Stone. The Rolling Stone is a large boulder that rolls in place but does not tip over. It’s a bit of a trip but nothing too difficult for those used to hiking.” – sunnichicki&Frosty
Cache Name: Witch’s Foot Cache
GC Code: GCAB63
Coordinates: N 49° 44.251 W 054° 09.458
Location: Joe Batt’s Arm
“A large footprint is embedded in a rock on Ethridge’s Point - the opposite foot is said to be located approximately one mile away on Hackett's Point. As legend has it, the witch that made this imprint stepped from one point to another and drowned while making the giant leap. If your foot fits in the Witch’s Foot, good news – you can reach the cache via broom and spare the hiking.” – Kittiwake Geocaching Network
Cache Name: Carmanville Cache
GC Code: GC9F54
Coordinates: N 49° 22.496 W 054° 16.485
Location: Carmanville
“Cache is located at Carmanville Pond – a beautiful rustic trail, which affords an excellent opportunity for photographs and – if birdwatching is your thing – plenty of that, too. Carmanville is among the best places in Atlantic Canada to see birds.” – Kittiwake Geocaching Network
Cache Name: Logger’s Lookout
GC Code: GCVNAV
Coordinates: N 47° 54.951 W 055° 44.140
Location: Milltown-Head of Bay d’Espoir
“This is the area where early loggers cut and hauled timber to Jersey Point Landing for shipping. A great view of the area from here.” – Sue&Herb and Skills Link Group
Cache Name: Salvage Cache
GC Code: GC34ZB7
Coordinates: N 47° 42.390 W 053° 11.635
Location: Salvage
“A scenic hike ending with a cache full of goodies, a great view of the coast and Salvage Rock.” – Tetley269
*Use GC Codes to search for cache location details on www.geocaching.com
Eastern Geocaches
Cache Name: S.S. Torhamvan Shipwreck
GC Code: GC1DGHR
Coordinates: N 47° 01.981 W 052° 52.715
Location: Ferryland
“This cache is located on a beach near the remnants of the shipwreck, S.S. Torhamvan. The boiler and a small part of the vessel can be seen from the location of the cache. In 1926, the S.S. Torhamvan ran aground in dense fog in Ferryland, Newfoundland.” – The Broylers
Cache Name: The Heritage Well
GC Code: GC37R9W
Coordinates: N 47° 09.658 W 055° 18.619
Location: Winterland
“The spring was discovered in 1939 when families settled in the area to farm and was used by the residents until the early 1960s. Take some time to stop and read some more interesting facts about the well.” – NFCanadian
Cache Name: Cupids 400 “Rip Raps”
GC Code: GC2B250
Coordinates: N 47° 33.179 W 053° 13.761
Location: Cupids
“Located on top of a bluff known as Speckled Head overlooking most, if not all, of the Cupids 400 Venues and especially John Guy’s plantation. It also overlooks the abandoned community of Rip Raps where families of Noseworthys, Hurleys, Anthonys and Puddesters once lived.” - 30207
Cache Name: The Bonavista Lookout Cache
GC Code: GC1WH8D
Coordinates: N 48° 38.674 W 053° 06.086
Location: Bonavista
“The cache is located near the top of a small hill that has view of the town of Bonavista. Please take a moment to enjoy the view.” – Newfiezedder/ BonavistaBiker
Cache Name: The Cribbies
GC Code: GCRC2X
Coordinates: N 47° 12.828 W 052° 50.556
Location: Tors Cove
“This picturesque area has fascinated artists and photographers alike. Scenes from here have graced the pages of magazines, Christmas cards, post cards and the artists’ canvas.
The Dictionary of Newfoundland English describes a cribby (cribbie) as a blind alley, courts or bye ways.” – ECT Hikers
*Use GC Codes to search for cache location details on www.geocaching.com
Western Geocaches
Cache Name: Big Brook
GC Code: GC1TA7R
Coordinates: N 51° 31.675 W 056° 08.055
Location: Near Big Brook, Great Northern Peninsula
“This one is located near the resettled community of Big Brook. The area is a hiker’s dream and offers all sorts of wildlife…Great area for camping as well. From eye shot you can see the community that was relocated by the NFLD Government. There is a shipwreck to explore.” – Millymook's
Cache Name: A Star in the Starlight
GC Code: GC1WT67
Coordinates: N 47° 46.644 W 059° 13.128
Location: Starlight Mountain, near Tompkins
“This trail takes you through a beautiful wooded area, and eventually works its way to a spectacular summit. There are many lookouts on the way that offer tremendous views of the valleys and ocean in the distance. Once you reach the cache site you will be rewarded with the view of a secluded valley nestled in the mountain range.” – Superscapegoat and Adrian
Cache Name: Man In The Mountain Summit (IATNL)
GC Code: GC1H727
Coordinates: N 48° 57.038 W 057° 52.047
Location: Near Steady Brook
“According to local legend, the Spanish buried a treasure on Shellbird Island in the Humber River. If you look closely, you will see the face of an old man in a rock formation overlooking the island…This cache is placed at the top of the Man in the Mountain and it’s a about a 1½ -2 hour hike to the cache…There are great views of the Humber River, Shellbird Island, Marble Mountain, parts of the City of Corner Brook, and the Blomidon Mountains from several vantage points.” – 2quigs
Cache Name: The Gravels
GC Code: GCPXNM
Coordinates: N 48° 33.653 W 058° 44.377
Location: Near Stephenville
“This is on part of a trail system known as the Gravels…It’s a great spot for fossils, and look out for the hoodoos (unique rock formations).” – Blomidon
Cache Name: Quirpon (IATNL)
GC Code: GC14WGV
Location: Quirpon
“Cache looks out over Quirpon Island…After you have found it hike to the top for a great view. Cache is under some alder bushes. This cache is close to the end of the International Appalachian Trial of Newfoundland and Labrador.” – Blomidon
*Use GC Codes to search for cache location details on www.geocaching.com
Labrador Geocaches
Cache Name: Jean Lake Mtn.
GC Code: GCKF7F
Coordinates: N 52° 53.546 W 066° 53.266
Location: Wabush
“Great view of the Towns of Wabush and Labrador City, Wabush Mines and tailings areas of both IOC and Wabush Mines. Bring your camera and in late summer your berry-picking bucket. Hawks and other smaller birds are commonly seen. There is a nice place to enjoy a lunch at the crest.” – VO2WW
Cache Name: Tamarack Creek – TLAB
GC Code: GC1F0D1
Coordinates: N 52° 56.524 W 066° 54.049
Location: Labrador City
“At the right time of year you could expect to see some of the following, which have all been recorded as seen from in or around Tamarack Creek…The Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Willow Ptarmigan…” – VO2WW
Cache Name: Boney Shore
GC Code: GC1FMKJ
Coordinates: N 51° 43.768 W 056° 26.383
Location: Red Bay
“You can follow a beautiful walking trail to the cache. This shoreline gets its name for all the whale bones which were disposed of there. These bones are left over from years of whaling by Basque sailors during the 16th century. You can still find a few pieces of whale bone along the trail even to this day.” – Labrador wild man
Cache Name: Breathless!
GC Code: GC1FXKG
Coordinates: N 53° 27.842 W 060° 18.172
Location: Between Sheshatshiu and Happy Valley-Goose Bay
“The great view from here can only be referred to as BREATHLESS...the hike up will be worth it. A great place for some photos so do not forget your camera!” – Labrador wild man
Cache Name: Pinware River Park Cache
GC Code: GCQBW9
Ccordinates: N 51° 38.030 W 056° 41.479
Location: Pinware River Provincial Park
“Pinware River is one of the most beautiful rivers in this province, or Canada, or even the world…the area chosen affords a spectacular view of the estuary of this river. This is also a great area to base a fishing trip as Pinware River is world renowned for its Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing.” – Forteau Falcon
*Use GC Codes to search for cache location details on www.geocaching.com
