North Carolina
DifficultTrans-America Trail — Waterville to Robbinsville via the Great Smoky Mountains Backdoor and Nantahala Gorge
The TAT bites hardest in the Carolina wet forest.
Surface: Mixed
Morocco
ModeratePiste de l’Erg Chebbi Nord — Erfoud to Merzouga via the Northern Saharan Dune Approach and Ziz Valley
The real dune approach. No tarmac, no tourists.
Libya
ExtremePiste de l’Erg Murzuq — Ubari to Waw an Namus via the Fezzan Volcanic Crater and Sand Sea
Three crater lakes. Zero margin for error.
Argentina
DifficultPaso Vergara to Futaleufú — Carretera Austral Frontier Crossing via the Palena River Valley
Patagonia's back roads bite — bring recovery gear.
Algeria
ExtremePiste de Tadrart Rouge — Djanet to Tin Merzouga via the Tassili Plateau Red Sandstone Canyon Circuit
Red sandstone, zero margin, pure Sahara.
California
ModerateMontaña de Oro Bluff Trail and Islay Creek Road — San Luis Obispo Coast Backcountry via Valencia Peak
Pacific cliffs, creek crossings, zero crowds.
Idaho
ModerateIdaho BDR Southern Segment — Murphy to Rogerson via the Snake River Canyon Rim and Owyhee Desert
Owyhee emptiness — 200 miles of nobody.
France
ModeratePassage du Gua — Col de la Bonette to Jausiers via the Highest Paved Mountain Road in the Alps
Highest paved road in the Alps. Earn the view.
Canada
ExpertContwoyto Winter Road — Tibbit Lake to Ekati Diamond Mine via the Barren Lands Ice Road
600 km of ice road. The lake beneath you is the road.
Colorado
ExpertBlack Bear Pass Road — Telluride to Silverton via the San Juan High Alpine Shelf
One-way. One lane. Straight down into Telluride.