Botswana
ExpertSavute Channel Road — Kasane to Savute via Chobe Riverfront and Mababe Depression
Deep sand, dense elephants, zero margin for error.
Surface: Dirt
Lesser Poland
ModerateTatras Ridge Road — Zakopane to Morskie Oko via the High Tatra Foothills
Limestone karst and glacial lakes, earned not gifted.
California
ModerateMojave Road — Afton Canyon to Rock Springs via Soda Lake and Government Holes
138 miles of wagon-track desert. Bring water. Lots of it.
Australia
ModerateGibb River Road — Silent Grove to Bell Gorge via Inglis Gap and King Leopold Ranges
Three-tier falls at the end of corrugation hell.
Baja California Sur
DifficultBaja Divide South — San Ignacio to Loreto via Sierra de la Giganta Desert Spine
Old Baja — volcanic spine, missions, zero cell service.
Bolívar State
ExpertRoraima Tepui Summit Road — Paraitepui to Roraima Base Camp via Gran Sabana
Drive to the foot of Conan Doyle's Lost World.
Italy
DifficultRicchi e Poveri Road — Gennargentu Highlands to Punta La Marmora via Barbagia Plateau
Sardinia's wild rooftop, no crowds, no mercy.
Canada
ModerateDempster Highway — Eagle Plains to Inuvik via the Richardson Mountains and Peel Plateau
Arctic gravel. Two spares minimum. No excuses.
India
DifficultLeh to Tso Moriri — Korzok High Altitude Desert Crossing via Puga Valley
Sacred lake at 4,500 metres. Earn every metre.
Kunene Region
ExpertHuab River Conservancy Track — Palmwag to Sesfontein via the Uniab River Desert Spine
Desert elephant country. No phone. No backup.