Czech-ing Out the Trails: Green Laning in a Skoda Karoq
First off, apologies for the title, but it amused me – it was either that or ‘Karoq and Roll’!
Moving on swiftly, a few months back, I borrowed the latest Skoda Karoq Sportline 4x4. It was about to be retired from the press fleet, so I figured it deserved one last hurrah – unless the next owner turns out to be a bit more adventurous than the average Karoq driver (unlikely, but you never know!).
Now, let’s be honest, even with four-wheel drive, the Karoq isn’t exactly an off-road warrior. It’s not a Disco 2 or a lifted pickup with knobbly tyres and oodles of ground clearance. Instead, it’s a comfy crossover that happens to have AWD – which makes taking it off the beaten track both fun and mildly nerve-wracking. You have to think about what’s beneath you, especially with those low-profile tyres, rather than just barrelling along without a care in the world.
Destination: Yorkshire
With a few lanes in mind and some recovery gear chucked in the boot (just in case), I set forth for Yorkshire. About an hour and a half later, I found myself cruising past The Buck Inn at Buckden (a fine and favourite establishment, in case you were wondering), and before long, I was at the start of my first lane: Gilbert Lane, or SD9480-01 if you’re a GLASS member.
A compact gravel track for most of its length, Gilbert Lane – and High Lane (SD9383-03), which follows on – are ideal for smaller 4x4s. At the start, the surface is made up of loose stones which, when tackled slowly on an incline, can get a little too loose – especially if you keep stopping to take photos, as I did.
The Karoq, to its credit, did a fine job of maintaining traction. As the stones got larger, I did start worrying about scuffing the alloys or getting a sidewall puncture, but so far, so good.
The First Challenge
At the top of the initial climb, I started to wonder if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. The surface got rougher, with loose gravel and the odd football-sized rock to contend with. Taking my time (while being acutely aware of those dainty tyres), I was probably a bit too cautious and ended up losing traction, coming to an embarrassing halt. Reversing slightly, I hopped out, shifted a few larger stones, and had another go – this time with success. The AWD system worked hard, but it got there in the end.
Once at the top, the going became much easier – nothing a 2WD couldn’t handle, really. After a good downpour, you’ll find yourself splashing through some decent puddles, though nothing too deep.
As I tootled along, I noticed signs of off-piste activity – the kind of thing that gets all responsible green-laners a bad name. Much like littering, it’s one of those annoying aspects of modern life.
There were plenty of gates to open and close, which can be a bit of a faff when you’re on your own. But sometimes, it’s nice to take your time, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the vast openness of the moors. On a clear day, the views are stunning, and despite some angry-looking clouds, it wasn’t bad at all. The wind, though, that was relentless. Then again, it was mid-November.
A few more gates later and the lane started to descend. This is my favourite section – not for any technical challenge (although there is a deep diagonal water channel to be wary of) but for the sheer beauty of it. As you near the end, Semerwater shimmers in the distance like a mirage, a proper ‘stop and take a photo’ moment. I’m led to believe it’s actually the law!
If you’re wondering, Semerwater is North Yorkshire’s second-largest natural lake, after Malham Tarn. It’s half a mile long, covers 100 acres, and if you’re stopping for a while, there’s a small parking fee at the farm opposite.
Lane Two: Cam High Road and a Few Painful Clunks
Much like Gilbert Lane, Cam High Road requires moderate ground clearance in places and rewards you with some cracking views. The surface is firm, with only a few deepish ruts to worry about, nothing major if you’re in a proper 4x4, but in a smaller SUV like the Karoq, you need to pay attention.
The lane itself is fairly straight and just wide enough for a single vehicle. Even after a heavy downpour, traction remains decent, but in deep snow or ice, it can get a bit sketchy, think tobogganing, but with airbags.
Despite the solid base, there were still some ruts to be mindful of. I may have gotten a little too confident at one point, resulting in some painful-sounding scrapes from the Karoq’s nether regions. It took them in its stride, though.
A few diagonal water channels later and I had the Karoq cocking a wheel in the air – always a good photo opportunity! The AWD system didn’t hesitate, though, and neither did I (well, apart from jumping out for a quick snap).
The trickiest bit of Cam High Road in a vehicle like the Karoq is the rocky outcrop near the top. While the AWD system is grippy, those low-profile tyres aren’t exactly made for bouncing over jagged rocks. Carefully picking my line and ensuring I drove up rather than against the rocks, I avoided any sidewall mishaps – and the Karoq handled it admirably.
Final Thoughts
Taking a vehicle like the Karoq green-laning is always a bit of a challenge – but that’s what makes it fun. You have to think about wheel placement, clearance, and the surfaces you’re tackling, rather than just blasting through without a care. It definitely keeps you on your toes.
I had a few more lanes on my list, but daylight was fading, and, more importantly, I was hungry. Plus, Muddy Madam had a homemade shepherd’s pie waiting for me – and even the most adventurous green-laning trip doesn’t stand a chance against that!
