When explaining geocaching to the uninitiated, I often tell them that I discover places I never would have seen if it wasn’t for a cache, and this is one of the main reasons I love our hobby. A little-known viewpoint to catch an amazing sunrise, a gorgeous cafe with delicious cakes or a quiet little park just a few miles from home to sit and watch the clouds roll by – geocaching really opens our eyes to these hidden gems. A few years ago, I discovered a wonderful sculpture park just 20 minutes from where I lived (and grew up), all because of a geocache called Wicklow Elephants.

No Ordinary Sculpture Park

The park is called Victor’s Way and is located just outside the village of Roundwood in Wicklow (about a 20 minute drive from Europe’s First geocache). It’s a privately-owned meditation garden, featuring 7 large and 37 smaller sculptures.

The garden took 25 years to complete, with the statues all designed in Roundwood by park owner Victor Langheld, and then handmade in Mahabalipuram, India.

A Contemplative Space

It is stressed that the garden is not a place to bring children to play, or walk your dog, or have a picnic. It’s designed to be a space is for meditation, contemplation and forest bathing.

I first visited the garden in 2014 after finding the geocache placed just across the road. I was recovering from minor surgery and just starting to get back on my feet so it was the perfect place to ramble around. In fact, slowing down to “half or quarter normal walking speed” is actively encouraged, and phone use a big no-no (save for taking photographs).

The garden was actually closed for a time in 2015 and reopened in 2016 with a focus on adults over 28 who want to escape the rat race and seek some peace and space to meditate and chill out.

The Geocache

The cache was hidden in November 2008 by Hezekiah and I adopted it in late 2014 after his sad passing. Having fondly remembered the discovery I made when I found it earlier that year, I was only too happy to keep it going. Owner maintenance is a great excuse to visit the garden too.

The very friendly owner of Victor’s Way, Victor Langheld, is aware of the geocache and will often assist you if he happens to see you looking for it, and of course, stop for a chat.

Getting There

Victor’s Way is located close to Roundwood and takes just over 20 minutes by car from Bray. The entrance fee is currently €5 per adult. You can find the geocache without entering the garden, as it’s placed across the road, however I highly recommend a visit if you have time.

What hidden gems have you discovered while geocaching? I’d love to hear about them; let me know in the comments!

Happy Caching!

Sarah

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