California
ModerateMojave Road — Afton Canyon to Providence Mountains via Soda Lake Playa and Government Holes
140 miles of Old West desert. No guardrails.
Feature: Camping
Himachal Pradesh
ExpertManali–Leh Highway — Baralacha La to Tanglang La via the High Passes of Lahaul
Three passes over 4,900m. One brutal highway.
Australia
DifficultGibb River Road — Fairfield Station to Bell Gorge via the Kimberley Wilderness Heart
The Kimberley's gorge-country proving ground.
California
ModerateMineral King Road — Three Rivers to Mineral King via Sequoia Backcountry
Marmots, switchbacks, and no guardrails.
Australia
DifficultGunbarrel Highway — Meekatharra to Laverton via the Central Western Desert
Beadell's dead-straight desert crossing.
Kunene Region
ExtremeSkeleton Coast Wilderness Track — Möwe Bay to Van Zyl’s Pass via the Hartmann Valley
Africa's most punishing desert descent.
Iwate
DifficultIwate Hayachine Forest Road – Tōhoku Alpine Traverse
Sacred peaks, beech forest, and zero cell bars.
Hiroshima
ModerateChugoku Mountains Forest Road – Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi Traverse
Honshu's forgotten ridge. Take your time.
Hokkaido
ModerateAsahi-Dake Forest Road – Higashikawa Highland Circuit
Hokkaido's highest peak on dirt.
Ehime
ModerateShikoku Karst Forest Road – Tengu-Kogen to Tsuro Skyline
Karst ridgeline cattle country above the Pacific.