Green Laning Do's and Don'ts
Do keep to the defined public right of way.
Don’t drive on private land or the fields adjacent to the byway
Do keep the vehicle in front in sight.
Don’t tailgate.
Do keep an eye on the vehicle behind and stop if necessary.
Don’t drive in a manner so that they can’t keep up.
Do come prepared with recovery equipment.
Don’t drive through the worst routes with the intention of getting stuck.
Do follow the advice of the group leader.
Don’t give other road users cause for complaint.
Do close the gates behind you that you have opened.
Don’t force open locked gates.
Do take your litter home with you.
Don’t discard cigarette ends out of the window; grass fires are a real hazard.
Do wear your seat belts.
Don’t allow dogs to roam free where there are animals or traffic.
Do volunteer to lead a group when required.
Do phone or email to reserve your place.
Don’t invite other vehicles unless agreed by the club’s Green lanes officer.
Do enjoy yourselves.
Don’t forget your camera.
GREEN LANING IN WALES
The following routes could be linked together to form a 3 or 4 day greenlaning trip from South Wales to North Wales. The trails below are, to the best of my knowledge, legal to drive, except the ones which I have stated that I am unsure about. However, I am not a rights of way expert and things change, so the only way to be completely sure that it is legal to drive a green lane, is to check the definitive maps held in County Council offices. A very good site for researching the legality and practicality of possible lanes to drive is http://www.way-finder.co.uk. Another source of information worth checking out is the Green Lane Association website: http://www.glass-uk.org .
Sarn Helen
This trail runs from the Neath valley towards Brecon. I have listed the sections in the order South to North.
SN 785 000 >> SN 856 085 Look out for visible sections of the cobbled Roman road (And obviously try not to damage them). There is a possibility of getting stuck in mud and ruts. This lane is only open during the months of June, July and August.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=278550&Y=200050&A=Y&Z=4
SN 875 106 >> SN873 114 This is a short optional section, which many people avoid because of the high probability of getting stuck. Best to have a winch.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=287550&Y=210650&A=Y&Z=4
SN 879 117 >> SN 926 167 Rock steps and river crossing at SN 911 148. Not too difficult, good firm surface
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=287950&Y=211750&A=Y&Z=4
SN 925 184 >> SN 961 241 Good firm surface. Nice camping spot at SN 927 189. Unfortunately I think this is now legally closed to motor vehicles.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=292550&Y=218450&A=Y&Z=4
Some extra tracks around Sarn Helen (O.S. Landranger 160)
SN 917 117 >> SN 897 121 Extremely difficult up to bridge. Go well tooled up and not on your own. Big axle twisters, very tight, almost certain body damage. May not be legal for vehicles.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=291750&Y=211750&A=Y&Z=4
SN 926 154 >> SN 923 139 Nice easy track. Unsure about legality.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=292650&Y=215450&A=Y&Z=4
The Gap Road (O.S. Landranger 160)
This trail runs over the Brecon Beacons just to the East of Pen y Fan.
SO 035 174 >> SO 036 235 Very steep ravine to cross at Southern end, but it’s a firm surface so there is just enough grip even in the wet on AT tyres. Nice mountain views. Unfortunately there is a Traffic Restriction Order on the lane which applies all year EXCEPT March 1st-31st and Sept 1st-Oct 15th. Lane shut at all other times.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=303550&Y=217450&A=Y&Z=4
Talybont to Pontsticill (O.S. Landranger 160 &161)
A good return route after doing the gap road.
SO 110 188 >> SO 060 146 Uncertain legality of route for motor vehicles. A careful choice of route will be needed around S0 080 155 to avoid getting stuck in mud. Some maps do not show the track at the Western end but in reality the route is well defined there.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=311050&Y=218850&A=Y&Z=4
Around Brechfa forest (O.S. Landranger 146)
SN 538 296 >> SN 546 279 Very steep, very tight hairpin bends (don’t mess them up or you will roll badly. Slippery mud and loose rocks. I found it quite a challenge in the wet on AT tyres in an 88" LR.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=253850&Y=229650&A=Y&Z=4
SN 550 290 >> SN 561 322 In wet weather it may be difficult to do the route in the opposite direction due to slippery mud.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=255050&Y=229050&A=Y&Z=4
SN 538 334 >> SN 586 338 A bit overgrown – don’t do it if you are precious about your paintwork. The vehicle will scrabble about a bit in the wet. Possible problems doing the route in the opposite direction as because of a steep muddy slope at SN 548 323.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=253850&Y=233450&A=Y&Z=4
SN 587 337 >> SN 627 353 I’ve only done it on a mountain bike. Don’t go without a winch as there is deep mud. A very interesting rocky section about 1/3 mile from the start. The route follows the River Cothi.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=258750&Y=233750&A=Y&Z=4
Soar y Mynydd (O.S. Landranger 147)
This track runs from Llanddewi-Brefi (Of Little Britain fame) to the Northern end of Llyn Brianne.
SN 739 541 >> SN 785 533 Nice views. Very steep at Eastern end and sometimes difficult here due to erosion. O.K. the last time I was there.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=273950&Y=254150&A=Y&Z=4
Strata Florida (O.S. Landranger 147)
This is a track made by the monks from the Strata Florida monastery. It runs from the Northern end of Llyn Brianne to Strata Florida.
SN 804 569 >> SN 755 646 Lots of river crossings on this route. It is O.K. without a raised air intake (just) most of the time but you would be risking engine damage after heavy rain without one. Fairly firm surface. Nice camping spot at SN 805 609. Lots of video clips on You Tube.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=280450&Y=256950&A=Y&Z=4
Around Rhayader (O.S. Landranger 147)
Claerwen Resovoir
SN 820 672 >> SN 871 636 This is a very easy track – it is drivable in a car. If it were not for Welsh Water’s meanness then it would be legally possible to drive from Ffair Rhos to this starting point. The problem area is a 1 mile stretch of the track immediately to the West of the starting point.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=282050&Y=267250&A=Y&Z=4
Monk’s trod
SN 808 676 >> SN 899 719 This is a definite no-no in a motorized vehicle. Even if there was still a legal right of way, it could take days of winching and make a huge mess. It’s good on a mountain bike! It is so boggy up there that I overtook a group of motor bikers riding the trail illegally.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=280850&Y=267650&A=Y&Z=4
SN 870 633 >> SN 894 617 Very nice rough track.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=287050&Y=263350&A=Y&Z=4
SN 961 686 >> SN 922 707 Another nice track. Nice camping spots along here.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=296150&Y=268650&A=Y&Z=4
SN 826 755 >> SN 842 773 A car could drive most of this, except perhaps the river crossing at the end. A nice way to get onto the A470 for the tracks near Pumlimon.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=282650&Y=275550&A=Y&Z=4
Around Pumlimon (O.S. Landranger 135)
SN 683 793 >> SN 694 804 via SN 708 802. Can be very slippery after rain. Mud tyres would be a very good idea after rain. If very wet it may not be possible to go this way around but will be possible in the opposite direction.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=268350&Y=279350&A=Y&Z=4
SN 718 813 >> SN 734 832 Don’t go up the forestry road – the correct route starts right next to the visitor centre. There is a tricky optional obstacle at SN 730 830. The route is more fun going in the opposite direction. Very scenic
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=271850&Y=281350&A=Y&Z=4
SN 716 834 >> SN 685 826 Nice firm surface. Fairly easy. Good views.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=271650&Y=283450&A=Y&Z=4
SN 718 843 >> SN 686 853 It would be possible to drive this section in 2WD, but the views are good. Vertigo sufferers beware!
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=271850&Y=284350&A=Y&Z=4
SN 695 873 >> SN 737 885 Good views. A nice rocky stepped climb at SN 728 870.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=269550&Y=287350&A=Y&Z=4
SN 775 880 >> SN 951 779 On my Landranger map it does not look like there is a legal right of way along here, but the route is well defined and frequently driven with a firm and mostly rough surface. Very scenic. There is a wide river crossing which is usually no deeper than bumper height in summer, but it can be deep and very fast flowing in the winter. Turn left off the forestry road at about SN 776 933 (easy to miss and more interesting than going down the forestry road).
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=277550&Y=288050&A=Y&Z=4
Around Machynlleth(O.S. Landranger 135
SH 741 019 >> SH 749 037 Very tricky around SH 728 037: Axle twister and deep ruts. Good possibility of getting stuck and rolling the vehicle.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=274150&Y=301950&A=Y&Z=4
SN 669 988 >> SN 644 979 Possibility of getting stuck in mud. Good views of Dovey estuary. There is a short track heading North West from the end of this track which is alarmingly steep and possibly slippery (near the top) in the wet. It would be a good idea to check it out on foot first and leave it if you are not sure.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=266950&Y=298850&A=Y&Z=4
SN 630 979 >> SN 632 985 An easier way down to happy valley.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=263050&Y=297950&A=Y&Z=4
SN 668 998 >> SH 623 015 Very Scenic route. Nice rough rocky surface. Good camping spot at SH 665 000.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=266850&Y=299850&A=Y&Z=4
Ffordd Ddu (O.S. Landranger 124)SH 588 072 >> SH 657 134 Fairly easy route
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=258850&Y=307250&A=Y&Z=4
Around Betws-y-Coed
SH 736 567 >> SH 738 525 Very entertaining rough rocky climb at start. You would miss out on some of the fun if you started from the other end.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=273650&Y=356750&A=Y&Z=4
Around Bala
The Wayfarer
SJ 047 380 >> SJ 129 356 Nice views. Good firm surface with sleepers over boggy areas. Vehicle damage a possibility if not careful at Western and due to off camber track and a leaning stone wall.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=304750&Y=338050&A=Y&Z=4
SJ 151 425 >> SJ 166 383 Northern half tarmac. Nice views.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=315140&y=342530&z=4&dn=1979
SJ 157 336 >> SJ 170 370 A nice rocky side-slope on part of this trail.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=315740&y=333560&z=4&dn=1979
Corwen Carwash
SJ 055 425 >> SJ 058 429 This is a short trail - only about ¼ mile long, but the wide and sometimes very deep river crossing is the attraction
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=305460&y=342540&z=4&dn=1979
SH 890 169 >> SH 891 166 Another nice river crossing. The track runs in the river bed for about 100m. Could be dangerous after heavy rain.
(O.S. Landranger 125)(O.S. Landranger 115)
(O.S. Landranger 160 & 170)
