The official rights of way are public footpaths and bridal ways which are for horses. You're allowed to ride on bridalways but not on footpaths. Not sure why.

It's true that there's a huge network of little footpaths and bridalways that criss-cross all over the place. A lot of them are marked but sometimes you come across ones that are all overgrown and forgotten. A few years ago I went on a footpath clearing day and helped open up some of them. Best thing is you can get views that you can't see from anywhere else.


Landowners are legally required to allow people access to these rights of way but some have been know to do things like put scary big bullocks in fields to ward people off.

Because they cross over people's farmland walker and especially mtb riders are encouraged to be responsible, only stick to the proper route, close gates behind them etc. Helps keep everyone happy.