Top 100 green lanes

300bhp/ton said:

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.

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Is trailwise back to being a good source of up to date information. I stopped using it several years ago now because everything on their seems to be nearly 10 years out of date and I was fed up of getting somewhere (usually enroute to where I was actually going, not a special journey) and finding the track was a private farm track or a bridle way despite trailwise saying it was driveable.

dag019 said:

Is trailwise back to being a good source of up to date information. I stopped using it several years ago now because everything on their seems to be nearly 10 years out of date and I was fed up of getting somewhere (usually enroute to where I was actually going, not a special journey) and finding the track was a private farm track or a bridle way despite trailwise saying it was driveable.

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As far as I know the classifications should be correct. It would be down to the council to put signs up if it has recently changed or has a TRO. Maps can only be so up to date.

That said I’ve never seen it showing this incorrect. The info and comments from others varies from time of year, location and popularity of the lane. We mostly lane in Mid Wales and most of the lanes have comments that are less than 3-6 months old every time I’ve looked.

Don’t get me wrong. There are some major limitations and down right missing features and annoyances with Trailwise2. But I don’t personally know of any other source that has the same info.

300bhp/ton said:

As far as I know the classifications should be correct. It would be down to the council to put signs up if it has recently changed or has a TRO. Maps can only be so up to date.

That said I’ve never seen it showing this incorrect. The info and comments from others varies from time of year, location and popularity of the lane. We mostly lane in Mid Wales and most of the lanes have comments that are less than 3-6 months old every time I’ve looked.

Don’t get me wrong. There are some major limitations and down right missing features and annoyances with Trailwise2. But I don’t personally know of any other source that has the same info.

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You can go on the council maps. This is the definitive map of the area & lists path/bridal way/byway.have found this use when OS says it’s legal but has been changed(via signpost)
It’s also a good way of complaining to the council on ways blocked.

@300bhp/ton does trailwise show unclassified roads? These are hard to find on OS

Hicap phill said:

You can go on the council maps. This is the definitive map of the area & lists path/bridal way/byway.have found this use when OS says it’s legal but has been changed(via signpost)
It’s also a good way of complaining to the council on ways blocked.

@300bhp/ton does trailwise show unclassified roads? These are hard to find on OS

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Wouldn’t even know where to begin with some councils. Pretty sure they are not all easily available online. So it isn’t a route I’d personally take in finding rights of way.

UCR’s are shown:

300bhp/ton said:

Wouldn’t even know where to begin with some councils. Pretty sure they are not all easily available online.

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Yeah, some councils are much better than others, especially when it comes to showing whether there's a TRO or a TTRO on a right of way.
TW2 makes it much easier, especially now you can upload a GPX when checking lanes.

I only bother with the council website these days if I need to report a blockage or other issue.

I’m going to actually answer your question

My list of lanes worth driving at least once. There will be many others in the areas though. These aren’t ones where you will get stuck for a day winching out of mud, drown or trash a reasonably well prepared vehicle (I could list those but I won’t ). These are Yorkshire, Cumbria and Wales, well known for the views.

Cumbria

Tilberthwaite
Breast High
Gatescarth Pass (permit needed)
Old Coach Road
Parkamoor

If you are in the area Hard knott and Wrynose pass are worth driving even though they are tarmac.

Yorkshire

Inmoor Lane
Deadman’s Hill
Dawson Close
Cam High Road
West Cam Road
The Highway
Fremmington Edge /Goat Bridge/Marske moor (connected)
Rudland Rigg
Glaisdale

Wales

Happy Valley
The Wayfarer
Nant-y-Moch
Bomber Lane
Strata Florida
Claerwen Dam

I suppose I should add The Bastard Lane but it’s lost its appeal now we can only drive down it.

suew said:

I suppose I should add The Bastard Lane but it’s lost its appeal now we can only drive down it.

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Are there signs to say one way or is this just the guidance on Trailwise?

It is best to join a local (area representative) who also maintain these tracks, I have done beautiful greenlanes.
But doing it solo can sometimes be hard in unknown areas. You can alway’s run into some nice river crossings, forts or pikey’s

I also run ones on a byway into a bit of rubble I didn’t trust that was a cover up of a “bear welcome mat” (Like this).

300bhp/ton said:

Are there signs to say one way or is this just the guidance on Trailwise?

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No idea

I don’t use Trailwise I use SmartTrail.

I understand the bastard is voluntary but backed by the council.

suew said:

No idea

I don’t use Trailwise I use SmartTrail.

I understand the bastard is voluntary but backed by the council.

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I have driven a few which are council direction marked but no indication on any map(definitive)
Another 1 it’s a voluntary down hill as you don’t want to meet any mountain bikers on their way down as the motors going up. There is no view of oncoming fast traffic(now I know you should be able to stop in the distance you can see but I have found this don’t apply to Lycra bikers)

Think The reason some are 1 way is less damage for the council to repair & locals complain at.

Hicap phill said:

I have driven a few which are council direction marked but no indication on any map(definitive)
Another 1 it’s a voluntary down hill as you don’t want to meet any mountain bikers on their way down as the motors going up. There is no view of oncoming fast traffic(now I know you should be able to stop in the distance you can see but I have found this don’t apply to Lycra bikers)

Think The reason some are 1 way is less damage for the council to repair & locals complain at.

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It would take a determined cyclist to go up the bastard lane at any sort of speed, but they are industrious little bastards sometimes.

I've only ever driven down it once, when it wasn't so well known, always intended to go back and drive it uphill for the challenge, gutted I missed my opportunity!

300bhp/ton said:

Don’t get me wrong. There are some major limitations and down right missing features and annoyances with Trailwise2. But I don’t personally know of any other source that has the same info.

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OK so this has got me thinking that maybe there should be something more complete and user friendly out there... app wise.
What features do you think are missing or limiting within TW2? What would you like to see implemented if there was to be a new app?

george man said:

OK so this has got me thinking that maybe there should be something more complete and user friendly out there... app wise.
What features do you think are missing or limiting within TW2? What would you like to see implemented if there was to be a new app?

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A downloadable app would be great instead of a webpage that logs you as soon as you leave.

That would make it much easier to use on mobile devices. Downloadable maps would also be great. As often in the wilderness phone signal is poor.

I understand there is likely a cost angle here. But I find OpenStreetMaps the map supplier to not really be suitable. The searching is terrible. Many small Welsh towns and villages are not findable with the search. Even if the map is showing them at the time!!!! This makes it infuriating to use as you have to manually roam the map to find places.

On this note, there is now way to search for lane names. Despite a name often being shown when you click on a lane.

A lot more could be done with the search features, such as:
- make it easy to exclude lanes with TRO in place. Not only the search, but filter for the map to make it easier to see lanes.

-filter/search for lanes suitable for 4x4’s as some are only suitable for motorbikes.

-search/filter lanes with no comments (exclude from results) or only show lanes with comments of X age type of thing.

-search and filter on fords and water crossings. Some will want to do these, while some vehicle types/owners may wish to avoid.

Other improvements. The comments section holds handy info. But you need to sign up and login with a different account to what you use to access trail wise!!!! This should be seamless.

If going app based there also needs to be the ability to plan a route. Lots of tools around this such as allowing you to maybe add a start and finish location and getting the app to auto suggest a route that you can then modify and save.

Routes should be shareable and reusable.

As well as allowing you to record the route you actually drive. Giving the ability to separate the lanes from regular roads. Recording where driven on a lane could help feedback where the lane diverts from the official route.

Icing on the cake could be highlights and info of popular and well known lanes. Such as types of hazards, views, difficulty or recommended vehicle types/sizes. Max altitude etc etc.

300bhp/ton said:

A downloadable app would be great instead of a webpage that logs you as soon as you leave.

That would make it much easier to use on mobile devices. Downloadable maps would also be great. As often in the wilderness phone signal is poor.

I understand there is likely a cost angle here. But I find OpenStreetMaps the map supplier to not really be suitable. The searching is terrible. Many small Welsh towns and villages are not findable with the search. Even if the map is showing them at the time!!!! This makes it infuriating to use as you have to manually roam the map to find places.

On this note, there is now way to search for lane names. Despite a name often being shown when you click on a lane.

A lot more could be done with the search features, such as:
- make it easy to exclude lanes with TRO in place. Not only the search, but filter for the map to make it easier to see lanes.

-filter/search for lanes suitable for 4x4’s as some are only suitable for motorbikes.

-search/filter lanes with no comments (exclude from results) or only show lanes with comments of X age type of thing.

-search and filter on fords and water crossings. Some will want to do these, while some vehicle types/owners may wish to avoid.

Other improvements. The comments section holds handy info. But you need to sign up and login with a different account to what you use to access trail wise!!!! This should be seamless.

If going app based there also needs to be the ability to plan a route. Lots of tools around this such as allowing you to maybe add a start and finish location and getting the app to auto suggest a route that you can then modify and save.

Routes should be shareable and reusable.

As well as allowing you to record the route you actually drive. Giving the ability to separate the lanes from regular roads. Recording where driven on a lane could help feedback where the lane diverts from the official route.

Icing on the cake could be highlights and info of popular and well known lanes. Such as types of hazards, views, difficulty or recommended vehicle types/sizes. Max altitude etc etc.

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OK so this aligns with exactly what I was thinking! It amazes me that this doesn't exist so perhaps I need to have a look at finances and see if I can get something basic up and running to include things like that!
As with most of these things it will be a numbers game... its only worth developing if enough people will use it but it sounds like there is demand out there!

@george man unsure how you could get maps without copyright problems.

Even on OS maps you cannot search names,roads or fords. They are all well marked though.
Files of the routes can be made public or locked to invite only.
You can record routes as you drive.
You Can down load maps & use off line.other option is you buy a proper map & get a code to down load for free.
Even the OS maps are behind times. Lanes are marked as byways but sign & local definitive map shows restricted byway

Unsure if I send a GPX file to any of you it will open in other programs.
Any want to try?

So have done a route.
Shows fords on map,does not show that 1 lane is 1 way(even the definitive map does not indicate direction) a sign on the road warns you of 1 way.
If any one want to check PM me an email address

Hicap phill said:

So have done a route.
Shows fords on map,does not show that 1 lane is 1 way(even the definitive map does not indicate direction) a sign on the road warns you of 1 way.
If any one want to check PM me an email address
View attachment 322370

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Interesting, is that the OS app?
As for lane names and being able to search/ filter things like ford's this would be a feature that would be flagged by the initial person mapping the route within the new app and then confirmed by subsequent users, much the same as when people flag up a mobile speed camera on google maps!

Ok ok, I've got a crazy idea that has occured to me before actually. This problem with offroading seems to be an ongoing issue, so why don't we club together, pass a hat round to get some pennies and buy an off road playground that we joint own?

For example, here's 11 acres of woodland prime off-road land for £80k: https://www.woods4sale.co.uk/woodlands/south-east-england/2282.htm

Use would be exclusive to LandyZone of course. Members that have bought a minimum stake get to ride free, others pay a fee per use. If you drive like a nob, your car will be seized for the annual demolition derby.

Atomician said:

Ok ok, I've got a crazy idea that has occured to me before actually. This problem with offroading seems to be an ongoing issue, so why don't we club together, pass a hat round to get some pennies and buy an off road playground that we joint own?

For example, here's 11 acres of woodland prime off-road land for £80k: https://www.woods4sale.co.uk/woodlands/south-east-england/2282.htm

Use would be exclusive to LandyZone of course. Members that have bought a minimum stake get to ride free, others pay a fee per use. If you drive like a nob, your car will be seized for the annual demolition derby.

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Would you not need planning permission to turn it into a off road course?
If so you would never get it.

Anaconda said:

Would you not need planning permission to turn it into a off road course?
If so you would never get it.

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And insurance.

That’s why a lot of the farm land we used to race on stopped. Insurance companies would not allow any motorsport on stubble fields.

I know of 1 off road centre who had a bad accident with how I people drive
And 1 patch of land where there were 2 severe accidents on following weekends & caused a death of the experianced rally driver with his injuries caused by the roll.