Hierarchy of Trails Routes
The need for fair management of recreational motor vehicle activity was acknowledged in the first Cumbria Countryside Access Strategy by specific reference to the management of recreational motor vehicle activity. The Council consequently produced this guide to the routes where, if the advice is followed, mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) can sustainably go for recreation.
As a result of changes to the Local Authority structure in Cumbria, the Hierarchy of Trails Routes information is now being hosted by the Land Access and Recreation Association (LARA), working in partnership with both local authorities and local user group representatives.
The guide aims to manage sustainable levels of activity on routes through voluntary restraint where possible, rather than using statutory measures such as Traffic Regulation Orders. At the same time, the use and condition of routes is monitored. Some routes in sensitive areas can become badly eroded, and in such places recreational MPV users are asked to comply with management measures; for example, one-way traffic systems for vehicles or a route permit system. User organisations are involved in the decision-making and monitoring.
MPVs mean all motorised vehicles: most 4x4s and trail motorcycles, but also quad bikes. All these vehicles must be road legal, taxed, insured and registered.
Please note that in order to minimise visual impact and amenity concerns it has been voluntarily agreed that in the Lake District National Park vehicles travelling together should not exceed 6 trail motorcycles or four 4×4 vehicles.
Routes Included in this guide
Since the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 routes shown on the Definitive Map as Public Footpath, Public Bridleway and Restricted Byway do not have any public motor vehicle rights of way, and it is a criminal offence to use them without the landowner’s permission.
Similarly it is illegal to drive or ride on fields or open land without the landowners’ permission. Doing so is particularly liable to cause damage to the landscape and the soil structure, and causes great offence to other groups of recreational users, to local residents, and to farmers and others for whom the land is their livelihood.
Therefore, this guide will show Byways and Unsurfaced Unclassified Roads (UURs) almost all of which will be unsurfaced. These routes are usually referred to as Green Lanes or Green Roads but these terms have no legal status.
For further information on any particular way, use the Definitive Map for Byways and the List of Streets for UCRs.
