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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1211

United Kingdom 
Little Langdale Byway
Hi

Off tomorrow for a few days in the Lake District and thought I might (snow/water/Weather permitting) get the 110 onto a byway if I could. Looking at a couple of sites (aimed I think more at trail bikes) Little Langdale came up. Start/End grid reference: NY328018/NY300032

Question, is this suitable for a single vehicle in standard spec or should I keep my wheels on the tarmac?

Thanks 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2


Last edited by seriesonenut on 4th Mar 2018 7:06pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #690877 4th Mar 2018 4:19pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5111

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
The facts Start/End grid reference: NY328018/NY300032 Little Langdale

Little Langdale is one of the best in the whole national park. There are some tricky sections and these should only be attempted by competent drivers. The trail has lots of large rocks and obstacles.
This trail is fantastic in the dry and is a lot more difficult in the wet as there are several slippery rocks to negotiate. It can be attempted in both directions and is 2.82 miles long from beginning to end with the optional section at 0.91 miles.

Copied from the best green lanes in Cumbria and the Lake District

1-2 Start on a single-track tarmac road and continue straight on, do not take the right-hand turn.

2-3 Go slowly past the houses. The trail starts here. The first part of the ride is a rocky uphill section. There is a large rock step and this will be slippery in the wet. Immediately after, you will be faced with the task of negotiating some 180-degree switchbacks. Proceed through the next gate and through the woods.

3-4 Go through the gate and turn right going past Hodge Close on the left. Proceed to the next gate. This section is easier and leads you through woodland. There are some rocky steps and a few muddy puddles but nothing too taxing. Proceed through the next gate which is shortly followed by a final gate which will take you onto a tarmac road.

4-5 Turn left and continue past the houses. The tarmac will turn into a forest trail, which is easy to negotiate. At the ford, bear left.

5-6 Continue past the ford and along the lane of broken tarmac. Take it steady as you pass some houses. Go left past these and uphill. Go right past the next set of houses, continue to the gate.

6-7 After the gate the trail becomes rocky. When you reach the intersection you will have two choices: turn left (as detailed in point 7-8 below) or go straight over (7-9).

7-8 Going left will take you down an advanced route. The trail is extremely rocky and there are a few tricky sections. To start with there are some rock slabs to ride over. These are very slippery and difficult in the wet. After this section, there are plenty of rock steps all the way to the top of the rise where it levels out. The downhill section is no easier, with lots more rocks and steps with larger drops. At the bottom, proceed through a gate and into a farmyard. To continue this trail, you will have to go back in the direction you came from – but it’s great fun heading the other way.

7-9 Continue straight on along a rocky trail. There are lots of fist-sized rocks and the going is tricky.

9-10 Travel past the houses and over a packhorse bridge and through a gate. Continue down the access track to where the trail ends.
Facts

Distance: 2.82 miles, plus 0.91-mile optional section

Maps: OS Explorer Map OL7 The English Lakes (South Eastern Area).

Start/End grid reference: NY328018/NY300032

Difficulty rating: 4/5 For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #690902 4th Mar 2018 5:46pm
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Fat Cog



Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Oxfordshire & Devon
Posts: 502

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
I think this is part of it, great lane & bagged it a few times, the rock slabs are a bit of an axle twister as shown by my buddy's blue TD5 & then my Wolf at the end/start of the lane...perhaps the trickiest bit is the very narrow bridge at the end/start, but eminently achievable in a standard Defender if taken steady...enjoy!


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 Since 1973...S1, Air Portable's, Defender's, but only my Wolf TUL HS GS remains
Post #690917 4th Mar 2018 6:37pm
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lohr500



Member Since: 14 Sep 2014
Location: Skipton
Posts: 1317

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
Not to be a kill joy, but given the recent snow and now melt water, I wouldn't be attempting this route for two reasons :

As posted above, firstly the route sounds quite tricky even when dry. Not somewhere to venture alone I would suggest in a standard vehicle with no self recovery gear. Secondly, if there are any grassy stretches you will inevitably end up churning deep ruts given the amount of snow that has fallen. That will just antagonise the anti green lane brigade and risk getting the route closed for others longer term.

If we want to keep these byways/BOAT's open, we need to be mindful of the ground conditions and not cause lots of damage.

A favourite local route of mine was Mastiles Lane between Kilnsey & Malham. We had many a great day driving across it in all manner of 4x4's and trail bikes. But a few spoilt it for everyone by churning it up something rotten in boggy conditions, and now it's closed Sad

Not suggesting for one minute you would do this intentionally, but if you set off on your own and the conditions were poor, you may end up with no other option other than to floor it at some point!
Post #690972 4th Mar 2018 8:30pm
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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1211

United Kingdom 
Hi

Yes no worries I will not be heading anywhere if conditions look unsatisfactory. Given the snow, probably best I come back in the dryer months and this week head out on foot Thumbs Up 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2
Post #690978 4th Mar 2018 8:46pm
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