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.
Surface: Dirt
Colorado
ModerateColorado BDR North Segment — Walden to Steamboat Springs via Zirkel Wilderness and Hahns Peak
Elk country above treeline, no crowds.
Kenya
ExpertMarsabit to Moyale — Northern Kenya Desert Highway via the Chalbi Desert Edge
Two hundred clicks of lava and no mercy.
Alaska
ExtremeTatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Road — Haines to Dry Bay via Dalton Post and the Alsek River
Glaciers, grizzlies, and no way out.
Arizona
DifficultArizona BDR Central-South Connector — Payson to Globe via the Mazatzal Wilderness Edge and Pinal Mountains
Mazatzal to Pinals — Arizona backcountry at its quietest.
Argentina
ModerateRuta 40 Extreme South — El Chaltén to Tres Lagos via the Patagonian Steppe Wind Corridor
Ruta 40 raw — wind, ripio, and no mercy.
Baja California
DifficultTranspeninsular Baja Divide — San Quintín to Bahía de los Ángeles via Sierra San Pedro Mártir Backdoor
Baja's hidden spine, no pavement, no crowds.
Nepal
DifficultTatopani to Muktinath — Upper Mustang Salt Road via Kali Gandaki Gorge and Kagbeni
Ancient salt road through the world's deepest gorge.
Kentucky
ModerateTrans-America Trail — Meridian to Clifton Forge via the Ozark Plateau and Missouri Highlands
TAT's quiet heartland: Ozark dirt to Allegheny rock.
Gilgit-Baltistan
ExpertDeosai Plains High Crossing — Skardu to Astore via Sheosar Lake and Bara Pani Ford
4,100 metres of brown bear plateau and no safety net.