goletto
11-19-2003, 03:57PM
Dear friends</o:p></div>
</o:p></div>
You might find it a bit strange the somebody like me, who lives in Switzerland, is a member of this forum. However, I visit the US about once a year to spend some time with our son who lives in San Diego.</o:p></div>
The last time we spent a few days in the Anza Borrego with a rented 4x4. We went through the Split Mountain and up the Sandstone Canyon. You all know this so I am not enclosing any pictures. But you might be interested to hear about off-roading in Europe.</o:p></div>
In Switzerland the situation is fairly hopeless. On all public land off-roading is forbidden, even on forest roads your are not allowed to drive. This leaves only private property and with the high prices for land no owner is interested to open his land for off-roaders. An exception are owners of a few gravel pits who open their pits on certain dates for 4x4 clubs.</o:p></div>
In Germany the situation is somewhat better because some 4x4 clubs have been able to obtain land from the military which is not used for military training anymore and they have opened for all 4x4 fans, but you have to pay a fee.</o:p></div>
In France there are also a few areas open for the 4x4 fan and forest roads are usually open to the public.</o:p></div>
In Spain you can find fairly good off-roading., also in Hungary, Poland and Rumania, but there you need a local guide because there are no reasonable maps or books available.</o:p></div>
</o:p></div>
I am enclosing a few pictures from my 4x4 trip on a privately mountain area (called an “Alp”) in Switzerland in summer 2003</div>
</div>
Regards</div>
</div>
goletto</o:p></div>
</o:p></div>
You might find it a bit strange the somebody like me, who lives in Switzerland, is a member of this forum. However, I visit the US about once a year to spend some time with our son who lives in San Diego.</o:p></div>
The last time we spent a few days in the Anza Borrego with a rented 4x4. We went through the Split Mountain and up the Sandstone Canyon. You all know this so I am not enclosing any pictures. But you might be interested to hear about off-roading in Europe.</o:p></div>
In Switzerland the situation is fairly hopeless. On all public land off-roading is forbidden, even on forest roads your are not allowed to drive. This leaves only private property and with the high prices for land no owner is interested to open his land for off-roaders. An exception are owners of a few gravel pits who open their pits on certain dates for 4x4 clubs.</o:p></div>
In Germany the situation is somewhat better because some 4x4 clubs have been able to obtain land from the military which is not used for military training anymore and they have opened for all 4x4 fans, but you have to pay a fee.</o:p></div>
In France there are also a few areas open for the 4x4 fan and forest roads are usually open to the public.</o:p></div>
In Spain you can find fairly good off-roading., also in Hungary, Poland and Rumania, but there you need a local guide because there are no reasonable maps or books available.</o:p></div>
</o:p></div>
I am enclosing a few pictures from my 4x4 trip on a privately mountain area (called an “Alp”) in Switzerland in summer 2003</div>
</div>
Regards</div>
</div>
goletto</o:p></div>