Top 100 green lanes

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G

george man

Active Member
Posts
123
Location
Devon
Hi All,

Some friends and I have been discussing having a project to work through in 4x4s, like a sort of scratch map or bucket list of green lanes in the UK and I thought that it would be cool to find the top 100 green lanes in the uk and then work our way through them.

However, I've done some searching and google is coming up short, only really being able to suggest maybe 4 or 5 that are ranked online so it got me thinking...

Firstly, if there is a list of top green lanes out there you guys will be the ones to know where it is.

and Secondly, if there isn't one, i'd love to have your recommendations of where you love driving that is actually legally classified as a green lane. I am based in the South West of the UK so I know Devon and Cornwall lanes pretty well but I haven't done much off roading outside of there.

If there aren't already any lists out there I'd love to pull together a list of lanes and see if we can make a top 100!
 
Western Slope Rover said:
Once you compile the list, those lanes will be overun. Better to keep them on the down low.
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Yes an no. They are all public roads. Making it secret secret is just a bit dickish really and only serves to encourage people to drive in other places. Often then illegal places. Better publicly and acceptance would be good things all round.

Sadly there will always be those nobs that will ruin it for others. But they seem pretty prevalent on YouTube already. And will exist no matter how well know a lane is or not.
 
Depends what you are expecting from a Greenlane.
Youtube would suggest that a great lane is how badly you can get stuck and trash the lane.
I like a bit of scenery and seeing parts of the countryside you would never have enjoyed otherwise.
I get embarrassed when I see D2s with 4 inch lifts and oversized tyres getting stuck in any available mud hole adjacent to the real route.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Yes an no. They are all public roads. Making it secret secret is just a bit dickish really and only serves to encourage people to drive in other places. Often then illegal places. Better publicly and acceptance would be good things all round.

Sadly there will always be those nobs that will ruin it for others. But they seem pretty prevalent on YouTube already. And will exist no matter how well know a lane is or not.
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And as public roads you can, but very unlikely, be prosecuted for damaging the surface of the lane.
 
Anaconda said:
Depends what you are expecting from a Greenlane.
Youtube would suggest that a great lane is how badly you can get stuck and trash the lane.
I like a bit of scenery and seeing parts of the countryside you would never have enjoyed otherwise.
I get embarrassed when I see D2s with 4 inch lifts and oversized tyres getting stuck in any available mud hole adjacent to the real route.
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Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Good scenery, maybe something challenging here and there like some rocks or a river crossing but mostly something enjoyable and approachable.
 
george man said:
Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Good scenery, maybe something challenging here and there like some rocks or a river crossing but mostly something enjoyable and approachable.
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Anywhere sort of remote with good views should be able to provide this.

Lots of lovely lanes in Wales. But there are also some in the Peak District, Yorkshire and other places.

However off roading is not generally socially acceptable in the U.K. not like it is in the USA or Australia. So it is all rather low key and hidden info.

I’d suggest getting access to the Trailwise site. The mapping is pretty limited. But it will show you the routes and people post up about the lanes. But there is no ranking or easy way to search other than eyeballing the map.

Also note lanes change over time. As does access or their status. So a definitive list would be very hard to create and maintain.

I would also guess that very very few people have driven all of them if anyone at all. And likely not that many people who have even driven all regions of the U.K. in terms of lanes.

Also worth noting. The lanes are part of the Kings Highway. Meaning technically they are public roads, aka not off roading. It is on roading. For a standard Defender on All Terrain tyres they really should not be challenging at all. If they are, then chances are you are either somewhere you shouldn’t be or the lane is in no state to be driven. Councils are meant to maintain the lanes to a drivable state.
 
miktdish said:
Let me qualify ...



That is Scotland.
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That is fine. :)

But…
1720389802766.png


I honestly don’t know a huge amount about Scotland. Are here any public access tracks that are mapped and available for the public to find and access?

Trialwise is pretty clear. But keen to know if there is another source.

IMG_4247.png
 
300bhp/ton said:
Anywhere sort of remote with good views should be able to provide this.

Lots of lovely lanes in Wales. But there are also some in the Peak District, Yorkshire and other places.

However off roading is not generally socially acceptable in the U.K. not like it is in the USA or Australia. So it is all rather low key and hidden info.

I’d suggest getting access to the Trailwise site. The mapping is pretty limited. But it will show you the routes and people post up about the lanes. But there is no ranking or easy way to search other than eyeballing the map.

Also note lanes change over time. As does access or their status. So a definitive list would be very hard to create and maintain.

I would also guess that very very few people have driven all of them if anyone at all. And likely not that many people who have even driven all regions of the U.K. in terms of lanes.

Also worth noting. The lanes are part of the Kings Highway. Meaning technically they are public roads, aka not off roading. It is on roading. For a standard Defender on All Terrain tyres they really should not be challenging at all. If they are, then chances are you are either somewhere you shouldn’t be or the lane is in no state to be driven. Councils are meant to maintain the lanes to a drivable state.
Click to expand...
All good points. There are some lanes in Devon that are definitely green lanes or unmetaled but they are not that easy. Sections of rocks or patches of water. As I said, not looking for hard core, just looking for enjoyable and more of a challenge that gives a sense of achievement and adventure compared to normal roads
 
300bhp/ton said:
That is fine. :)

But…
View attachment 320948

I honestly don’t know a huge amount about Scotland. Are here any public access tracks that are mapped and available for the public to find and access?

Trialwise is pretty clear. But keen to know if there is another source.

View attachment 320949
Click to expand...
Trail wise is the main 1 to use. It’s more upto date than the OS map(even in line it can be out of date) I do use OS as I do various sports
TW has the option for people to post & review routes.

@george man

If you get maps/ trail wise & start searching you can soon link up byways and make an interesting day.
Wiltshire areas close the lanes in winter & some of these are not cut back. So most not used and makes it more intesting.
Recent days out include 2 separate days round sailsbury plain. Mud,holes & water.
1 long day Wiltshire byways over 100 miles of byways.
Now I do use the motor to sleep in so can stop when/where i want and have some nice views
 
Thanks for all the input. I'm not on trail wise, does it have images of the routes? Are you able to filter routes by things like river crossings, good views etc?
 
I went down a transfer tarmaced road the other day.. you know.. with the not suitable for motor vehicles.. blue sign. After about 1/4 mile, a big puddle of 'green'. didnt know how deep it was, or for how long. didnt know if there was anything lurking or how stinky it was so i chickened out and went around instead :(
 
george man said:
Thanks for all the input. I'm not on trail wise, does it have images of the routes? Are you able to filter routes by things like river crossings, good views etc?
Click to expand...
No is the simple answer.

Although there is a comments section where people post updates and images. But is inconsistent. The search facility is very very poor. But this is likely down to the lack of incentive and U.K. attitudes to laning. Wanting to keep it hush hush and not tell other 4x4 owners.

IMG_4253.png

IMG_4254.png


In the USA it is totally different where you can buy apps for you iPhone which show the trails in you area. Plus loads of info about the trail. You’ll also find usually information at trail heads that never happens for U.K. lanes.

IMG_4255.png



1720456802097.jpeg


There isn’t a lack of information or technology. Just a social and political issue in the U.K. about enjoying great outdoors in vehicles.
 
At least with trail wise it shows the UCR.
You have to trawl all over OS maps to find the fords. There are also little route that people post for walking but not for motors.
Also check published routes incase they have been done by motorbikes as they are allowed on most of the restricted byways.

1720462814594.jpeg
 
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