Cumbrian (Lake District) Lanes

[Bush Tucker Man]

We're going up to the http://www.parkcliffe.co.uk/]Lakes for the easter weekend & I've got the relevant 'OS Outdoor Leisure' maps from the library - we don't go often enough to justify buying new OS Landrangers, besides I usually know exactly where I'm going.

Anyway, SWMBO has told me that her & 'small child' are sticking to the caravan site, so I'm anticipating a bit of laning.
That's in addition to (finally) being allowed visit 'The Cars Of The Stars' museum in Keswick.

I've found a few lanes, does anyone know their legal status at the moment.

NY465 061 (High Lane) - NY483 067 (Sadgill)

NY424 006 (Moor Howe) - NY421 032 (Dubbs Road) (joins Garburn Pass)

NY338 017 (Oxen Fell) - NY342 994 (Knive Fold)

And a bit further across on the old A6 (the wonderful Shap route)

552 035 - 553 023 (Ashstead)

550 056 (Crookdale bridge) - 548 023 (via High Borrows Bridge)


As well as legal status.
1. Can anyone advise on driveability in a bog-stock Discovery on All-Terrains.

2. Are any of them likely to have unsuitable ground coditions & require avoidance?

[graham]

Hi Richard, I have put this on the GLASS forum but had no response as yet.

You could try an email to David Robinson at the Lake district national park office from the link.

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/ Click on "The work of the authority" then "Access to the countryside"

mailtoavidRobinson@lake-district.gov.uk email ;)

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Graham

[Bush Tucker Man]

Thanks Graham, I'll try David Robinsion then

[graham]

Richard if you want a nice gentle ride the old coach road just south of Keswick ;)

Walna Scar road Nr Coniston is a good one but very rough in places, if you have a tow bar you will bottom out.

Not sure if Parkafell road is open yet, east of Coniston Lake but again it has some rough stone steps.

There is a short lane in the Lyth Valley will try and find my post can't lay my hands on my maps at the moment.

[graham]

This thread Richard ;)

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19298

http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15456&page=2&pp=15

[Bush Tucker Man]

Richard if you want a nice gentle ride the old coach road just south of Keswick ;)

I thought 'The Old Coach Road' was one of the more contentious lanes??
(Threlkeld to High Row) & by the wink I presume that it's a bit awkward?


Walna Scar road Nr Coniston is a good one but very rough in places, if you
There is a short lane in the Lyth Valley will try and find my post can't lay my hands on my maps at the moment.
I've seen pics of Walna Scar, I thought it was TRO'd.

Lyth Valley??

Oops sorry just seen that you've posted , but not read it yet

[Bush Tucker Man]

Thanks Graham, I've had a quick look, will digest the information properly later

[graham]

Sorry Richard will have to go find my maps to give you some refs.

There should be no problem with the Old coach road, no TRO on Walnascar have a look at the lakes link i gave you for up dates.

[spectric]

Hi there


Some of the lanes in the lakes now require a permit from the LDNP. This is to control usage but are free.

[Mudspanker]

Sorry Richard will have to go find my maps to give you some refs.

There should be no problem with the Old coach road, no TRO on Walnascar have a look at the lakes link i gave you for up dates.
I was up there in the autumn (mountain biking) and the Walna Scar road was impassable west of the summit. It has been for some time as far as I know (although I would love to learn more... I'm dying to drive it!)

[graham]

I drove Walna Scar road twice last year no probs, we had to remove part of the tow bar on a Disco in our party as it bottomed out a few times.

The only road as far as i know needing a permit is Gatescarth pass.

[inglishg]

Garburn also needs a permit...did it on Sunday and had LOADS of fun! :rolleyes:

Inglishg

[spacehopper]

There are only two lanes needing a permit
Gatesgarth - which is open one day (or weekend) a month
Garburn - you can get a permit valid for one month.

[graham]

Has the rock step been repaired in Garburn ? I drove it a couple of years ago.

Just had a look at the Lakes Park website Garburn can only be driven West to East, Troutbeck to Kentmere.

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/a/index.cfm?header_id=1&menu_id=0008B89D-DA4F-1E02-A38C6088C1C3D03E&submenu_id=000077EC-651E-1E00-A38C6088C1C3D03E&sublink=true

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Good link Graham. How well does the permit system work? Seems a fair way to me and I can see it spreading in other sensitive areas, subject to Ranger/Wardens to administer it. I haven't been to the Lakes for years, last time was on a big trail bike and enjoyed some of the lanes. I didn't do the whole of Walna Scar as I was 'billy no mates'.

[graham]

I think the permit system is ok, but I wouldn't want it on all lanes.

I got The GLASS mag today and LARA are working with local councils to adopt a system of voluntary restraint on lanes that are not suitable for vehicular use at certain times. It's common sense really but there are always those who will ignore it.

I'm a member of GLASS and I think they do a good job, I have tried to use their Wayfinder but it doesn't work for me.

If only all councils would have a website like the Lake district national park showing TRO's, access issues, and map refs for green lanes it would make life a lot easier, even better if you could down load a pdf file giving route details this would cut down on people taking the wrong route, as can easily be done when following maps, hand up I've done it myself :(

In the meantime it's good that we have a forum like this where we can share information and ask for help on lanes. ;)

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Hear hear Graham! The Gap road thru the Brecon Beacons is only open march and sept ish, which appears to work well. But there must be lots who turn up and find its closed when they arrive, disappointing for them. County council updated web resources are the way to go. After all I'm paying £1400 a year for one bin bag per week, a policeman neighbour who is always in uniform at home and no street lights. How about some of that dosh used on the web.

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Forgot to say I love your avatar (nice udders), can you post a full size version, and post ME a LIFESIZE version!

[graham]

This is the only size i have :( Nice cow isn't she :D

[inglishg]

Has the rock step been repaired in Garburn ? I drove it a couple of years ago.



Well, I don't know how bad/severe it was a couple of years ago - I've only done it the once last weekend.

I managed the entire route in my bog standard Disco - (with BFG MT's) AND a standard L/R tow bar - and didn't get stuck.
Some parts WERE very tricky though and I now have a very polished underside to the tow bar...

One awkward part where I did risk damage was the first sharp RH turn soon after joining the lane. There is a tree root on the LHS and climbing onto it causes loss of traction and made my Disco slide sideways *almost* into the wall on the RHS.

Apply for your pass - and enjoy the route...

Inglishg

Incidentally, I only got any grief from one rambler, and she was on Walna Scar. I calmly explained the legal position and the implications of closing these routes to off roaders. She then said 'well it's the motor bikes I would like to get rid of. You all seem very responsible and careful'.

[ROB 110 HICAP]

This is the only size i have :( Nice cow isn't she :D

Thanks graham! She is lovely, got any udders? (groan)

[graham]

This is me shunting to get through the gate, this was before the one way driving of the lane.

[sotor]

Last time I did the Lakes was 2003, ( I'm going again later this year). The "new" Walna scar is a pleasant lane now compared with the old one which was a real sill crushing steering bending diff breaking (gung ho) nightmare. when we did it in 2003 we met a MR chappie on a walkabout checking the general condition of the lane, he informed us that a Shogun had gone over the edge on one of the hairpins (fatalities I think). The lane can be decieving to the unwary, but if you know what you're doing you've got to go for it.