Details
Start / End Points: Carnforth
Distance: 150 km
Approx time to ride: 6 hours
Includes off road: Yes – 25 lanes
Last ridden: Attempted in September 2026 – didn’t finish
Suitable for: Adventure Bikes / Small Bikes
Download the route GPX File here
This route was supposed to be a simple challenge: start in Carnforth, ride 25 green lanes and cover around 150km in a single day.
It didn’t quite go to plan.
I made it as far as lane 17, where one particularly difficult climb finally stopped me. Despite giving it a good go, I couldn’t get the Tuareg up the hill and decided that discretion was probably the better part of valour.
The Route
The ride starts near Carnforth and heads into the surrounding countryside, linking together 25 green lanes over approximately 150km.
The route includes a mixture of:
- Fast, flowing gravel and trail sections
- Rocky tracks
- Muddy sections
- Ruts and uneven ground
- Steep climbs and descents
- Narrow lanes
- More technical sections where momentum and line choice become important
The difficulty varies considerably between lanes, which is part of what makes the route interesting.
Some sections are relatively straightforward. Others are definitely not.
The Challenge
The idea behind the ride was to see whether the Aprilia Tuareg 660 could cope with a full day of mixed green-lane riding.
The bike isn’t a lightweight enduro machine. Once the terrain gets steep, loose or particularly technical, you definitely know you’re dealing with a large adventure bike.
For the first part of the ride, however, the Tuareg coped extremely well.
The combination of its engine, suspension and standing riding position makes it a very capable bike for this sort of adventure.
Then came lane 17.
Lane 17 – The One That Beat Me
The climb became progressively steeper and more difficult, with the surface making it difficult to maintain traction and momentum.
I made several attempts but couldn’t get the Tuareg to the top.
Eventually I decided to call it.
There isn’t much point pretending every ride ends with a successful summit. Sometimes the sensible decision is to stop before a difficult section turns into a damaged bike, an injury or a very long walk.
So the challenge ended at 17 out of 25 lanes.
And honestly?
That’s part of the story.
Who Is This Route For?
This route is aimed at riders who already have some experience riding off-road.
It isn’t a route I’d recommend as a first ever green-lane adventure.
The difficulty varies significantly, and conditions can completely change the character of a lane. A track that is relatively straightforward in dry weather can become a very different proposition after rain.
I’d particularly recommend making sure you’re comfortable riding:
- Loose surfaces
- Deep ruts
- Mud
- Rocky climbs
- Descents
- Standing on the pegs
- Picking your own line through technical terrain
A suitable adventure or trail bike with appropriate tyres is strongly recommended.
Important: GPX Route Disclaimer
I may not have ridden this route myself, or the route may have changed since I last rode it. Off-road routes can change without notice, including through temporary or permanent closures, TROs or other restrictions. The route may not be suitable for your bike, experience or riding ability.
Please check the route and its current legal status before riding, follow all signs and restrictions, and ride within your own ability. You are responsible for deciding whether the route is suitable and legal to ride.
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