James Rogers
Active Member
I apologise for my ignorance but what is green landing and how where would I do it? (I'm in Suffolk)
brian47
Well-Known Member
Green laning is a sort of "Off-roading lite".
There's the real hard-core off-roading at such events as "Pay and play" where people try to drive through 50 ft deep puddles or up near vertical mud covered hillsides, but green laning is a way of getting off the ordinary roads and routes to experience the countryside from some of the numerous tracks and trails where vehicular access is granted.
Green laning is best experienced and especially for your first few days out, in an organised group. That way you'll learn the best ways to use your vehicle and of course, the best ways to treat the countyside. The "countryside code" applies equally to 4x4 driving as it does to walking and rambling. Going out in a group will also mean that there's more likelyhood of the chosen route actually being a preferred or allowed route and of course, should anything go wrong, there's somebody around to help.
If you are going to try green laning, in the first instance, it's unlikely that you'll need to make any modifications, major or otherwise to your vehicle, if you do want to modify, then tyres would be the first items to look at. Many "green laners" will have some kind of communications on board, either a permanently installed CB radio, just a CB handheld or something in between.
neilly
Well-Known Member
Have a read here.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/green-laning-or-off-roading.311440/
As mentioned, join GLASS, most have some way of meeting up and arranging green lane days.
Cheers
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/green-laning-or-off-roading.311440/
As mentioned, join GLASS, most have some way of meeting up and arranging green lane days.
Cheers
No need to apologise, at least you're asking!
As above, Green Laning is simply driving under-used, 'forgotten' roads that are either not maintained or have fallen into repair or simply not used any more, but which still carry vehicular rights of way. Some are flat Farmers type tracks, some aren't far off tarmaced roads, and some can be right obstacle courses! They are still classed as roads, however, and require a fully road-legal vehicle, taxed, insured and MOT'd.
As these are effectively parts of the road network, they also carry other traffic, pedestrians, bikers, horses etc and due care must be taken, Whilst there isn't strictly a speed limit, it's usually appropriate to keep speeds well down, especially if the Green Lane isn't used often, Probably the best way to experience them for a new user is as part of a local group where you'll get help, and (even if it's often contradictory!) advice, along with the added security of having someone there to help out if or when things go wrong.
Becoming a member of Glass (Green Lane Association) is a good thing.
"GLASS is the National User Group for those who enjoy using the Country's network of ancient unsurfaced public roads and vehicular rights of way. We are a not for profit association dedicated to driving, protecting and researching our unique heritage of unsurfaced public highways. We promote legal and responsible driving as a way of enjoying the countryside, campaign against irresponsible use and aim to keep them open for all to use."
The website is Glass
I'm a local volunteer and sometimes take groups out locally on well-known lanes, as well as further afield as well as answering queries and helping out Nationally as appropriate.
As above, Green Laning is simply driving under-used, 'forgotten' roads that are either not maintained or have fallen into repair or simply not used any more, but which still carry vehicular rights of way. Some are flat Farmers type tracks, some aren't far off tarmaced roads, and some can be right obstacle courses! They are still classed as roads, however, and require a fully road-legal vehicle, taxed, insured and MOT'd.
As these are effectively parts of the road network, they also carry other traffic, pedestrians, bikers, horses etc and due care must be taken, Whilst there isn't strictly a speed limit, it's usually appropriate to keep speeds well down, especially if the Green Lane isn't used often, Probably the best way to experience them for a new user is as part of a local group where you'll get help, and (even if it's often contradictory!) advice, along with the added security of having someone there to help out if or when things go wrong.
Becoming a member of Glass (Green Lane Association) is a good thing.
"GLASS is the National User Group for those who enjoy using the Country's network of ancient unsurfaced public roads and vehicular rights of way. We are a not for profit association dedicated to driving, protecting and researching our unique heritage of unsurfaced public highways. We promote legal and responsible driving as a way of enjoying the countryside, campaign against irresponsible use and aim to keep them open for all to use."
The website is Glass
I'm a local volunteer and sometimes take groups out locally on well-known lanes, as well as further afield as well as answering queries and helping out Nationally as appropriate.
James Rogers
Active Member
Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful!! Also would I be in high range when navigating a green lane?
hi range second. do NOT go on your own.
James Rogers
Active Member
No I'm joining the local land rover club so hopefully find someone to go with!!
Drive to the conditions.
There is no rule whatsoever about which gear to use. Some lanes, like Pindale, Rudland Rigg climb, for instance need low box first, some other lanes, like the flat parts of Rudland Rigg can be as high as you like (within reason). Drive to the terrain and conditions, if 3rd low feels better than 1 or 2 high then use it ...
As above. It depends on the lane. Most lanes around Hampshire and Dorset can be driven in high range. Occasional use of low range or difflock where necessary. It's one of those things you pick up. Just bimble along without damage to the lane.
brian47
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with the advice from @Paul D and @The Mad Hat Man here, drive according to the conditions. That's all part of learning how to use the vehicle.
I used to drive many of the green lanes and forestry tracks here in South Wales, as a radio engineer, it was all part of the job. As a "for instance" the green lane between Pontypridd and Nelson leads to a well known spot where there are a number of radio towers and driving up that track, sometimes a numbers of times a week, even a day could mean facing different conditions every time, especially in bad weather.
I used to drive many of the green lanes and forestry tracks here in South Wales, as a radio engineer, it was all part of the job. As a "for instance" the green lane between Pontypridd and Nelson leads to a well known spot where there are a number of radio towers and driving up that track, sometimes a numbers of times a week, even a day could mean facing different conditions every time, especially in bad weather.
chris-the-gerbil
Well-Known Member
As slow as possible, as fast as necessary etc.... follow that and use whatever gear is most appropriate....
private penguin
Well-Known Member
To me the key difference is:
"Off Roading" you're on private property, you have (usually) paid your money to get in, and (within the rules of the site) you can drive around without worrying too much about damage.
"Green Laning" you are on public rights of way, often routes that farmers use to access their fields - sometimes routes that people use to access their homes. You are sharing the right of way with other road users (horses, cyclists, pedestrians), so a greater deal of respect - both for other road users and for the road itself - is needed. If the road conditions are such that driving on the lane is likely to do damage beyond a few tyre tracks in the mud, or a few snapped overhanging branches, you shouldnt be driving it.
If you want to test the capabilities of your vehicle, or your driving skills, then go off roading at a pay or play site.
If you want to explore parts of the country that are generally inaccessible to most vehicles, whilst enjoying the fact that your landrover can go places normal cars can't, then go greenlaning.
"Off Roading" you're on private property, you have (usually) paid your money to get in, and (within the rules of the site) you can drive around without worrying too much about damage.
"Green Laning" you are on public rights of way, often routes that farmers use to access their fields - sometimes routes that people use to access their homes. You are sharing the right of way with other road users (horses, cyclists, pedestrians), so a greater deal of respect - both for other road users and for the road itself - is needed. If the road conditions are such that driving on the lane is likely to do damage beyond a few tyre tracks in the mud, or a few snapped overhanging branches, you shouldnt be driving it.
If you want to test the capabilities of your vehicle, or your driving skills, then go off roading at a pay or play site.
If you want to explore parts of the country that are generally inaccessible to most vehicles, whilst enjoying the fact that your landrover can go places normal cars can't, then go greenlaning.
For all lanes???!! Are you insane?
Drive the lane as required as per any other road. Change gear when needed.
See #13
The lane that takes me to the office is tarmacced and NSL. Also has traffic calming measures on it.
