Salisbury Plains in Standard Jimny

Hi,

I was just hoping to get some advice before visiting the Salisbury Plains for the first time. 

I have a more-or-less standard Jimny, with the only mods being rear recovery points and Goodyear Wrangler tyres. I have some waffle boards,  and a hand winch, I've been doing a bit of laning the last couple of months but I'm pretty new to this stuff. 

In Salisbury Plains, are the more "hardcore" areas (really deep water and mud) easily avoidable, by going around or turning back and going a different route? I have Trailwise, so I can read up on the indivisual lanes to get an idea of what they're like. My main worry is probably going down a long narrow lane and then it becoming too rutted for me to get down without hitting the underside of my car (because the car is not lifted). Is this a realistic concern on the plains? I've only come across one lane so far where this was a problem, but luckily it was very near the start so I could reverse out ok. 

Also, any general tips?

Thanks
Lee

Any of the green lanes are part of the Queens Highway. You really shouldn't need anything extreme to drive them. I'd suggest anything looking 'hardcore' is probably off piste and really shouldn't have a vehicle on it anyway.

As always, laning with another person or small group is always advised. Going solo, you completely rely on self recovery, but there are very real limitations to this.

Trailwise is probably your best resource. I am not on it myself but understand that each route has details on the conditions you can expect and then you can make your own mind up if it is fit for you and your vehicle.

Not all public rights of way (Byways Open to All Traffic and other Green Lanes) can be driven by car, and a few not even on a motorbike as they are just too rough or have large ditches. You could try looking on Google Earth to see if the route is likely to be driveable if Trailwise doesn't say so.

Of course if you do find some good routes, you could post them on here for other Jimny owners to enjoy.

Robin

Do not attempt to enter the "Austrian Village" map ref. ST 016455. You can drive past it to the north and west but the army closely monitor it and lippy trespassers are dealt with harshly.
Ditto Imber village, ref. ST 965486.The village is usually open during bank holidays, but you must obey the rules.
There are more driveable lanes on the plain than anywhere else in Britain but please remember to give way to Challenger tanks.

Roger

Good point Roger, this could happen.....

 

 

Virtually all the lanes are chalk surface and are driveable in a 2wd car. If you find the going tough you have probably driven off track onto the tank tracks that run parallel. The LandMarc Patrol vehicles will soon put you back on course with a stern word.

Alledgedly some of the off-track river fords have been excavated out in the middle of the water to trap drivers not using the proper and easier main track. Not sure how true that is because it would also trap Squaddies in their Toyotas and Nissans.