China
DifficultSichuan–Tibet Highway — Chengdu to Lhasa via the G318 High Altitude Corridor
The highest overland highway on the planet.
Feature: Scenic
Algeria
ExtremePiste de l’Erg Chech Ouest — Tindouf to Bordj Badji Mokhtar via the Erg Chech Western Corridor
An unmapped sand sea. Bring everything or don't go.
Arizona
DifficultTrans-America Trail — Clifton to Alpine via the Mogollon Rim and Blue River Canyon
Blue River canyons, copper ghosts, Mogollon edge.
Colorado
ModerateColorado BDR Central Segment — Gunnison to Salida via Cochetopa Hills and Marshall Pass
Old railbed, aspen groves, and 10,800-foot silence.
Texas
ModerateTrans-America Trail — Hico to Meridian via the Texas Hill Country Divide
Empty Texas ranch roads nobody else knows about.
Aysén Region
ExpertPaso Vergara to Lago General Carrera via Villa O’Higgins — Carretera Austral Remote Southern Terminus
Patagonia's hardest road. No arguing it.
Argentina
DifficultRuta 40 Central — Malargüe to Barrancas via the Patagonian Volcanic Steppe
Lava fields, guanacos, and Patagonian wind.
New Mexico
ModerateTrans-America Trail — Lordsburg to Silver City via the New Mexico Boot Heel Divide
Geronimo country. Cattle gates. Zero cell signal.
Argentina
ModerateRuta 40 Norte — Cafayate to Cachi via the Calchaquí Valley High Road
The real Ruta 40. Dirt, altitude, zero traffic.
Morocco
DifficultPiste du Dades — Boumalne Dades to Msemrir via the Dades Gorge and High Atlas Plateau
Past the tourist switchbacks, the real Dades begins.