Hi all

I was wondering if there were any off road tracks to drive up in the Lake District that are legal to use?

Mike

Since the 'NERC' bill it's a bit of a mine field!.

Since the 'NERC' bill it's a bit of a mine field!.

I think even a Yeti would struggle in a minefield

Have you used up all the ones in Surrey then?

I think there are some byways in the Lake District you can use, or if you go to Wales there is a route I think it's called Florida Strata or something like that which is rather long, I think long enough that it isn't wise to attempt it all in one day so you'll have to camp. There are lots of byways the area around there so that might be a good idea?

Nice to hear from you James! I hope Dubai is living up to expectations? I will be there in Autumn, birding the Pivot Fields and perhaps enjoying a quiet drink somewhere private.

Hi Mike

To be pedantic (sorry), if you're wanting legally driveable routes then they are roads (so not 'off-road')

All the usual regulations apply; MoT certificate, insurance, driving licence (so no letting an underage son/daughter drive!)

The 'biggies' up there are The Coach Road, from St John in the Vale, over the tops towards Ullswater.

Now it's a lot of years since I've been up there, but I'm not sure you'd get a Yeti over parts of it without risking damage to the underside/lower body.

There are also fords on it, so the depth/bed condition will depend entirely on rainfall.

The other. 'biggie' is Walna Scar! But I believe this is now a 'Restricted Bridleway'??(so 'essential vehicle users only')

If you do like to 'paddle', within its wading limits,do you of this site; http://www.wetroads.co.uk/

However, please, please!!!! Stay away from the longest BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic) in Cumbria, which starts at Flookburgh, and heads in a south-easterly direction.

There's lots of treacherous terrain, and some very deep (& wide!!) water crossings.

Digressing slightly;

I know what this route is like as I've run a half-marathon over it.......leave the marked route, and we can't guarantee your safety<gulp!>

The route/name of the event? http://www.crossbay.org.uk/

Description/report; http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?11048-Cross-Bay-Challenge

I'll have a poke about on the Land Rover forums I still use & see what the score is with the county regarding RUPPs/BOATs, and report back when I get some replies

Oh, and here's your county page, for a trial run; http://www.wetroads.co.uk/surrey.htm

Edited 21 March, 201214 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Nice to hear from you James! I hope Dubai is living up to expectations? I will be there in Autumn, birding the Pivot Fields and perhaps enjoying a quiet drink somewhere private.

Dubai is going well so far, I'm not looking forward to the Summer when it gets hot though.How long will you be here for? You'll get some lovely photos and see lots of birds, as for a quiet drink there are a few nice places, I can't stand the loud club type places here they just don't work.

The LDNP are actually quite helpful over legal RoW's in their area and provide a nice interactive map:

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/maps

However, be aware that many are rocky and possibly not very Yeti friendly.

James,

Strata Florida is wonderful, but is being badly misused by many people, it also has many DEEP water crossings. I've been across it several times and certainly wouldn't take my Yeti! In a suitable vehicle it takes a couple of hours.

Wetroads links

Cumbria; http://www.wetroads.co.uk/cumbria.htm

Thanks all.

Just finished work now, so I get ready to leave around 10pm tonight. (after an important church leaders meeting )

I'll have a poke about on the Land Rover forums I still use & see what the score is with the county regarding RUPPs/BOATs, and report back when I get some replies

RUPPs have been extinguished and replaced with RBs (Restricted Byway) which means No Mechanically propelled vehicles.

Have you used up all the ones in Surrey then?

I think there are some byways in the Lake District you can use, or if you go to Wales there is a route I think it's called Florida Strata or something like that which is rather long, I think long enough that it isn't wise to attempt it all in one day so you'll have to camp. There are lots of byways the area around there so that might be a good idea?

Yes, Strata Florida is awsome, I have ridden the Welsh 2day enduro that uses part of this route, it can get seriously wet when rains, some deep water crossings on a bike can wash you away. One year many riders fell in and it was a mass of removing sparkplugs,air filters and tipping bikes upside down to get water out of their engines, such fun!

Yes, Strata Florida is awsome, I have ridden the Welsh 2day enduro that uses part of this route, it can get seriously wet when rains, some deep water crossings on a bike can wash you away. One year many riders fell in and it was a mass of removing sparkplugs,air filters and tipping bikes upside down to get water out of their engines, such fun!

More than that, a poor girl drown on it, so it's one to treat with respect.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7600998.stm

There's an article about the (Cumbrian) Gatescarth Pass in the new (Spring) edition of 'Land Rover Owner' (my copy dropped through letterbox on Thursday)

It can be recognised by the white Discovery 4 on the cover.

The Pass was driven by a group of 4 lovely Series 1s, which fitted the lane perfectly.

Almost as nice is the 'K' plated Range Rover in the following article - gorgeous!!

Edited 24 March, 201214 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Gatescarth Pass is open only on a "permit" basis, and only to vehicles with less than 100" wheelbase. Permits are issued by LDNP to a max of 4 vehicles in a party.

It is NOT suitable for Yeti's!!

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/outdoors/green_roads/green_road_gatescarth

Gatescarth Pass is open only on a "permit" basis, and only to vehicles with less than 100" wheelbase. Permits are issued by LDNP to a max of 4 vehicles in a party.

It is NOT suitable for Yeti's!

I was a bit rushed this morning when I wrote it, so could have phrased it all better

(would still like that Rangie though)

No problem Richard. I read your post as nothing other than a bit of information, which I was adding to.

Having been the RoW Officer for the Freelander Club for a few years I have access to a few useful sources, plus I keep well up-to-date with things.

No problem Richard. I read your post as nothing other than a bit of information, which I was adding to.

If this was 'LandRoverNet' there'd be a dozen others jumping in to debate the ability of a Yeti to traverse the Pass <lol>

I'm sure I recently read somewhere that Walna Scar was now closed to vehicles and walkers seeing vehicles on this track should take the registration and report them to the Police.

Actually that Forum have been very supportive and positive about the Yeti. I don't think i've had one adverse comment from them.

Actually that Forum have been very supportive and positive about the Yeti. I don't think i've had one adverse comment from them.

Oh I certainly know that Graham, from my own 9 years on the site, it was just a bit of a 'tongue in cheek' comment.

I know LR-N's supportive of the Yeti, as they equally were when I posted about my buying the Octavia estate the other week

http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php/227235-New-Car

Edited 24 March, 201214 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Sorry Richard, I hadn't linked you and "Bush Tucker Man" until now!

Sorry Richard, I hadn't linked you and "Bush Tucker Man" until now!

I was wondering how long it'd take you to 'add 2 + 2 together'.........

I'd still love that '57 Nomad though, or the luscious '66 Mustang convertible that was near it

Five?

I'm sure I recently read somewhere that Walna Scar was now closed to vehicles and walkers seeing vehicles on this track should take the registration and report them to the Police.

Found where I read the info but my iPhone is playing up and won't let me display it as a link so you'll just have to copy/paste the URL to your browser if it doesn't work below:

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/outdoors/rowupdates/rowclosures