Georgia
ModerateKavkazion Military Highway — Tbilisi to Kazbegi via the Georgian Military Road and Jvari Pass
Silk Road, Soviet tarmac, Caucasus sky.
Feature: High Altitude
Arizona
ModerateCoronado Trail Scenic Byway — Springerville to Clifton via the White Mountains and Blue Range Primitive Area (US-191 Full Run)
89 miles of switchbacks. Zero shortcuts.
Colorado
DifficultAlpine Loop — Lake City to Ouray and Silverton via Engineer, Cinnamon, and Animas Forks
Three 13,000-ft passes. One legendary loop.
Namibia
ExtremeVan Zyl’s Pass — Opuwo to Marienfluss Valley via the Kaokoland Wilderness Divide
One-way down. No room for mistakes.
Oregon
ModerateOregon BDR Northern Segment — Lakeview to Burns via the Warner Valley and Steens Mountain High Desert
Hart Mountain, Steens, and the Alvord at your feet.
KwaZulu-Natal
ExpertLesotho Sani Pass to Mokhotlong — Roof of Africa Eastern High Road via Sehonghong River Valley
Past the pub, into the real Lesotho.
Erongo Region
DifficultNamib Desert Welwitschia to Brandberg — Damaraland Volcanic Desert High Crossing via the Ugab River Terraces
Ancient plants, black lava, red granite giant.
Araucanía Region
DifficultRuta del Volcán — Villarrica Traverse via Curarrehue and Paso Mamuil Malal
Live volcano, river fords, Andean border grit.
Japan
ModerateTateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Nagano to Toyama via the Northern Japan Alps High Crossing
Japan's 20-meter snow walls in late spring.
Argentina
DifficultPaso Abra del Acay — San Antonio de los Cobres to Cachi via South America’s Highest National Road
Highest national road in South America. Earn it.