Another of those tight narrow lanes which seem to dominate this "Bocage" area. although not a tight as it used to be (March 07). The infamous tree has been cut back, but you still have to watch out for the sump. Can be muddy so best downhill from east to west, expect straches at least. Not a bad lane and part of the "route" round here, the easten end seems wider now, but there has been "cutting back" of the hedges.
Grid ref. SJ233360-SJ243355
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Llangollen climb (Ty'n Celyn)
Lovely pleasant lane which could be done in a 2x4 (did it in Ford Serria), north end (bottom)@ SJ234412 joins junction @SJ237408 then heads south west . South end @ SJ228398 . Climbs steep but steady though a Forest, after high winds you could expect a fallen tree blocking the way, then runs along its side. You get great views of the Dee valley and Llangollen itself, pleasant pasture at the top makes a good place to stop, but keep vechicles on the track. From here you can see the scars caused by "illegal off roaders "doing the 3 peaks on the Llantysilo mountain to the west. Another lane at junction @ SJ237408 goes east along the Forest to the UCR at SJ254404, so you could loop it, this lane now has excellent views (bushes chopped) of the Dee Valley and Cheshire plain, just before the end and another good place to stop. Apart from a few scratches expect no problems.
Allt y Badi (The Baddy) ( Llangollen steps)
Sadly this lane has now been shut from June 2008 till November 2009, and looks like might never be the same again after "resurfacing work". Its also been subject to some publicity from both the Daily Post and welsh TV channel HTV which shows in some lenght the type of surface it once was. Also try fix my street website to laugh at the moaners complaining its got an international standing now, and even this blog mentioned not bad considering only 2000 hits in 2 years.
Left the post on so one can ref the lane incase others use a different name, as for the route either use the tarmac road nearby or the two lanes to the east. (Ty'n Cefn)
Another classic lane except its a UCR which has fallen in to disrepair, concrete culverts cross the lane (hence the steps) and the broken surface coupled with the steep slope makes it hard for transmissions and drives. So going uphill expect to lose the odd half shaft, downhill from Finger farm is easier, but still tricky in winter. Still a great lane, lose rocks & leaves etc make a fab surface, no views so you want something less demanding try Ty'n Cefyn which runs parallel further to the east.
North point (bottom) : SJ219412
South point (top) : SJ210400 (On UCR @ SJ205394 turn north at finger farm)
The lady in the white house at the bottom is a well known moaner, and having done this lane many times it must be a very exciting place to live. Lose horse, lost dog/ cat/ children, split petrol and or DERV, plus the very rare Natterjack toad on the road, I've heard everything, and all on a Sunday evening. She will try to stop you and using any old excuse explain why you should not come these way again, thing is her house has a large hedge and wall which seperates her from the lane, a real "nimby". What really "pis****" her off is when we agreed not to pass her house, turned round, and went back up!
Left the post on so one can ref the lane incase others use a different name, as for the route either use the tarmac road nearby or the two lanes to the east. (Ty'n Cefn)
Another classic lane except its a UCR which has fallen in to disrepair, concrete culverts cross the lane (hence the steps) and the broken surface coupled with the steep slope makes it hard for transmissions and drives. So going uphill expect to lose the odd half shaft, downhill from Finger farm is easier, but still tricky in winter. Still a great lane, lose rocks & leaves etc make a fab surface, no views so you want something less demanding try Ty'n Cefyn which runs parallel further to the east.
North point (bottom) : SJ219412
South point (top) : SJ210400 (On UCR @ SJ205394 turn north at finger farm)
The lady in the white house at the bottom is a well known moaner, and having done this lane many times it must be a very exciting place to live. Lose horse, lost dog/ cat/ children, split petrol and or DERV, plus the very rare Natterjack toad on the road, I've heard everything, and all on a Sunday evening. She will try to stop you and using any old excuse explain why you should not come these way again, thing is her house has a large hedge and wall which seperates her from the lane, a real "nimby". What really "pis****" her off is when we agreed not to pass her house, turned round, and went back up!
Pontfadog loop
Fallen trees common on these lanes.Three lanes here forming a loop, but very difficult to find and a detailed map is required. Added to this some of the turns are almost impossible in long wheel base trucks, but you could join up later using the UCRs, this place is a maze of lanes in the "bocage" so leading large convoys is a problem.
The first runs parallel along the main road is pleasant and flat. SJ232385-SJ228376
The second starts (bottom) @ SJ 222373 ( look out for the white iron railings), climbs steep though the woodland crossing a UCR in two places, in autumn, with falling leaves expect problems getting up the hill. Top end (north) @ SJ225380
The third starts around SJ226383 entrance to a farm (by the side; hole in hedge), and Zig-zags downhill towards the start of the first. If you are the lead truck head off first to find it and lead the rest in. Some light damage expected, but for those who don't have the "knowledge" navigation is a nightmare, I'll leave that to you.
The first runs parallel along the main road is pleasant and flat. SJ232385-SJ228376
The second starts (bottom) @ SJ 222373 ( look out for the white iron railings), climbs steep though the woodland crossing a UCR in two places, in autumn, with falling leaves expect problems getting up the hill. Top end (north) @ SJ225380
The third starts around SJ226383 entrance to a farm (by the side; hole in hedge), and Zig-zags downhill towards the start of the first. If you are the lead truck head off first to find it and lead the rest in. Some light damage expected, but for those who don't have the "knowledge" navigation is a nightmare, I'll leave that to you.
V valley (V - gully) (Cefn Canol)
Discos in the "Bocage"An absolute classic "Bocage" greenlane, one could devout a whole blog to this alone (might do that one day). Most laners start at the west end going downhill into Glyn Ceriog ,although either way is possible. Starts off just a farmers track, but quickly turns into a deep gorge with the base been a V shape (hence the name), due to the stream which runs down the middle. Very narrow with tree roots sticking out you can definitely expect damage, in fact I've never been with group with hasn't suffered some damage.
CB aerials, roof racks, mirrors, tires, windows ,lights, snorkels soon get ripped off. Drivers who have never done this type of lane before quickly get disorientated due to the poor light and overhead tree cover, so expect a "roll over"., Although safe, ie no drop, recovery is made difficult by lack of space. In parts its impossible to open the doors, so soft tops any advantage, climbing over trucks (or under) is common, as the banks are impossible to climb due to the loose earth. Photo shoots made worse by the poor light, although in recent years the vegeation has been cut back. At the east end (bottom) the lane leads out straight into the narrow lanes of Glyn Ceriog, so make sure if in a group everyone knows where to go next as some will have lost comms cause of broken CB aerials. It is possible to loop at either end and go back, plus at the at the bottom there's a convenient hard flat standing just before the UCR to fix punctured tires, you'll not fix them on the lane!
CB aerials, roof racks, mirrors, tires, windows ,lights, snorkels soon get ripped off. Drivers who have never done this type of lane before quickly get disorientated due to the poor light and overhead tree cover, so expect a "roll over"., Although safe, ie no drop, recovery is made difficult by lack of space. In parts its impossible to open the doors, so soft tops any advantage, climbing over trucks (or under) is common, as the banks are impossible to climb due to the loose earth. Photo shoots made worse by the poor light, although in recent years the vegeation has been cut back. At the east end (bottom) the lane leads out straight into the narrow lanes of Glyn Ceriog, so make sure if in a group everyone knows where to go next as some will have lost comms cause of broken CB aerials. It is possible to loop at either end and go back, plus at the at the bottom there's a convenient hard flat standing just before the UCR to fix punctured tires, you'll not fix them on the lane!
West end (top) SJ189382; east end (bottom) SJ200382
At the bottom if you turn right (west) and proceed to the mini-roundabout there's some toilets, and a shop with a convenient off road place to fix your truck!
(bocage from the French - look it up its on wilipailea)
(bocage from the French - look it up its on wilipailea)
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