So after looking combing over many pages of this forum (of which I am thankful to be a part of) I have seen many photos of many of you doing many fantastic things with your Defenders off the blacktop/tarmac/highway (whatever you call it where you reside ) but going out-n-about in the dirt is where these marvels of modern machinery love to live. I will most likely be taking Smurf out for his second run in the dirt this weekend. The only place I have been able to find is here https://benfranklinrange.com/

At only an hour or so from my home, they offer acres upon acres of wide open trails (most on the easy to moderate side) to wander around on and get my fix. They have "open ride" dates (usually about once a month or so) where all vehicles (for a nominal fee) are welcome to come and tear it up for a bit. Yes, there are dirt bikes and ATV's around, but this time of year in western PA, when the weather is crap-tastic, their presence is somewhat sparse. So I mention all this to ask/post a question

Has there ever been a thread considered (or one I have not found) which provides detailed specifics of where to go? Or more to the point, where you go. Yes, I can use the internet, but frankly, most of the information I am finding is quite confusing and sparse to say the least. But having a consolidated index from like minded individuals would prove to be most helpful, interesting, and provide the opportunity for "meet ups" if the individuals so choose.

I dunno....just see it as maybe some sort of thing that can be indexed and sortable at some point in the future by any number of criteria

 

Search for the apps “Alltrails” and “onXoffroad”. I think you will find them useful if you’re in the US.

 

Hey EyeJay,
I wonder how many times we’ve passed each other as I too live in Wexford! I have been going to a place similar the Ben Franklin Range. It’s in and around an old stone quarry in Garrettsville, Ohio called Southington Off-road Park. It’s only open for off-roading the first weekend of the month; the rest of the time it too is a private gun range.

I’ll definitely check out the Ben Franklin Range — maybe this weekend! I’ll be in the Santorini Black 110 with the silver roof (wrap) and Montana plates.

 

I am sure...we have passed by one another at least once or twice!! How cool...now this is the stuff I was talking about!!! That place looks great and I will totally give it a go!! I am pretty sure I will be out there at BFR this weekend, but you know, stuff always comes up...

But keep your eyes peeled for Smurf!!

 

Love the steelies!


Airing up after a day in the 110’s native home.

 

the Steel was a must have for me!! Now that’s pretty site

 

There is a whole sub-forum for it. Doesn't seem to see much action though.

https://landroverforums.com/forum/roaming-friends-6/

 

wonder if it would get more giddy up if it were to say….merge over here?

 

You’ll do better to hang out on Wrangler and Old Land Rover sites. Those dudes typically have less money in their rigs, less commitment to pristine exteriors, and have been doing this for awhile. I cut my teeth on XJ and JK Jeeps for years before switching to an L663 Defender in 2021. I do have the OnXOffroad app, but there’s just not very much available in the southeast, other than pay-to-play off-road parks. I don’t mind the paying part, but they tend to be made up of manufactured “elements” to test the truck on; been there/done that and now I really just want to spend 4+ hours driving a beautiful trail with great payoff visuals along the way or at the turn-around point.

Also, unfortunately it’s gotten way, way harder to find any public or acceptable private land to off-road on east of the Mississippi in the last 20-25 years. I drive out west every year for a 2-3 week stint in UT/CO/WY/AZ/NV/CA; things are glorious.

 

In the mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania) there are quite a few opportunities for trips on public lands. The GW national forest and Blue Ridge in VA, the Green Ridge in MD and the PA wilds areas to name a few all offer areas for multi-day trips to get off the beaten track. And for challenges, Potts Mountain Jeep Trail is a 15-mile point-to-point trail near Paint Bank, Virginia. It's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring this trail.

I second AllTrails as an excellent tool for finding off-road opportunities.