Baja California Sur
ModerateTranspeninsularBaja Sur — Guerrero Negro to La Paz via Loreto and the Sierra de la Giganta Canyon Roads
A thousand miles of cactus, dust, and Cortez light.
Trail Type: Scenic Drive
Argentina
ModerateMeseta del Lago Buenos Aires — Perito Moreno to Los Antiguos via the Patagonian Wind Plateau (Ruta Provincial 43)
Wind, basalt, hand prints, and glacial turquoise.
China
ModerateSichuan–Tibet Highway — Kangding to Litang via Zheduo La and Xinduqiao Valley (G318 High Plateau Segment)
Tibetan plateau at 4,300 metres. Paved. Still dangerous.
Namibia
ModerateSossusvlei Salt Pan to Naukluft Mountain Plateau — Hardap High Desert Crossing via Solitaire and Tsaris Pass
Dunes to desert plateau, Namibia's finest contrast.
Colorado
DifficultRooftop of the Rockies — Mosquito Pass Road via Leadville and Alma
Highest named pass road in the USA.
South Africa
ModerateSwartberg Pass — Prince Albert to Oudtshoorn via the Great Karoo Mountain Crest
Bain's stone masterpiece — Africa's finest mountain pass.
China
DifficultSichuan–Tibet Highway — Derong to Deqin via Benzilan and the Lancang River Canyon
Mekong canyon walls and Tibetan peaks on a crumbling shelf.
Italy
ModerateStelvio Pass High Alpine Road — Bormio to Prato allo Stelvio via the Eastern Alps Roof
75 hairpins. 9,045 feet. No excuses.
Georgia
ModerateKavkazion Military Highway — Tbilisi to Kazbegi via the Georgian Military Road and Jvari Pass
Silk Road, Soviet tarmac, Caucasus sky.
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.