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Essex · within 25 miles

Green lanes near Chelmsford

Where to ride, what’s closest, and what to check first.

78lanes within 10 miles*
530lanes within 25 miles*
189miles of lane in range
4.4 mito the nearest named lane
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There are 530 green lanes open to motorcycles within 25 miles of Chelmsford, about 189 miles of riding in all, and 78 of them are within 10 miles.

The nearest named lane is Colley Bridge Lane, 4.4 miles west of the town centre.

The riding leans northwest: 26% of the lane mileage in range sits in that direction.

The densest cluster is around Widdington, 18 miles northwest, with 23 lanes within 3 miles of it.

*Lanes open to motorcycles by their recorded designation, BOATs and unclassified county roads, counted as whole lanes. Legal status can change, always check a lane yourself before riding.

Every lane within 25 miles

Chelmsford in pink, rings at 10 and 25 miles, the busiest lane clusters numbered.

10 miles25 miles ColchesterSouthend-on-SeaHarlowLoughtonBillericaySouth OckendonSaffron WaldenTilburyRochfordBurnham-on-CrouchWithamWest Mersea 123 Chelmsford N 5 miles
BOAT UCR Closed or restricted No motors

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Where the lanes cluster

The three busiest patches of lane in range, numbered on the map.

  1. 1
    Around Widdington18 miles northwest of Chelmsford · 23 lanes, about 12 miles of riding within 3 miles
  2. 2
    Around Bardfield Saling12 miles north of Chelmsford · 20 lanes, about 10 miles of riding within 3 miles
  3. 3
    Around Castle Hedingham19 miles north of Chelmsford · 20 lanes, about 7 miles of riding within 3 miles

The nearest named lanes

Open to motorcycles, measured from the centre of Chelmsford.

Which way to head

Lane mileage within 25 miles, by direction from Chelmsford.

NNEESESSWWNW
  • Northwest49 miles
  • North45 miles
  • West29 miles
  • South18 miles

What the riding is like

75%unsurfaced, of the lanes with a recorded surface
8lanes with a ford
94%of the mileage is BOAT, the rest mostly county road
7named lanes closed or seasonal

County roads (UCRs) are on the council’s list of public roads, which doesn’t confirm motor vehicle rights the way a BOAT does. Worth checking locally.

The longest lanes in range

Closed and seasonal lanes nearby

Named lanes within 25 miles with a restriction we know of. Our records aren’t complete, so always check before you ride.

2 named lanes near Chelmsford close for part of the year. See every lane that closes for winter on our winter closures page.

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GPX routes near Chelmsford

Ready-made routes that pass within 25 miles.

Map preview of the Great Dunmow Lanes Loop
Great Dunmow Lanes Loop58.1 km · 9.5 miles awayPremium GPX
 Map preview of the Finchingfield & Great Bardfield Lanes Loop
Finchingfield & Great Bardfield Lanes Loop52.6 km · 13 miles awayPremium GPX

Worth a stop on the way

Historic sites within 12 miles of Chelmsford. Access rights not checked.

Marconi New Street Factory
Attraction · under a mileMarconi New Street Factory

The first purpose-built radio factory in the world, built in Chelmsford in 1912.

Chelmsford Museum
Museum · under a mileChelmsford Museum

Chelmsford's museum, housed in Oaklands House.

Hylands House
Attraction · 2.2 milesHylands House

A Grade II* neoclassical villa within Hylands Park, near Chelmsford.

Questions riders ask

Are there green lanes near Chelmsford?

Yes. We map 530 green lanes open to motorcycles within 25 miles of Chelmsford, 78 of them within 10 miles, going by each lane's recorded designation. Legal status can change, so check a lane before you ride it.

What's the closest green lane to Chelmsford?

The nearest named lanes are Colley Bridge Lane (4.4 miles west), Dunmow Lane (4.8 miles north) and The Essex Way (5.7 miles northwest), measured from the town centre.

Are any green lanes near Chelmsford closed?

Within 25 miles, 5 named lanes are closed to motor vehicles and 2 have a seasonal closure, usually over winter. Our closure records aren't complete, so use the Legal Status Search on a lane's card, and check signage on the day.

Can I ride green lanes near Chelmsford on a motorbike?

On BOATs and unclassified county roads, yes, as long as it's road-legal, taxed, insured and ridden with care. Restricted byways, bridleways and footpaths are not open to motor vehicles, and a Traffic Regulation Order can close any lane.

More near you

Trail riding in EssexEvery named lane in EssexGreen lanes near ColchesterGreen lanes near HertfordGreen lanes near LondonGreen lanes near StevenageGreen lanes near Maidstone

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Open the map, free Green lanes near other towns

Built from our lane data on 29/09/2026. Lane data from OpenStreetMap contributors and council rights of way and highway records (public sector information under the Open Government Licence v3.0, and OS data © Crown copyright and database rights). Place names © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only: legal status changes, check signage and current Traffic Regulation Orders before riding.

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