Taking the road less travelled is more than just an exhilarating experience. It’s an adventure that you’ll remember for years to come, and be keen to repeat again and again. Known as overlanding, going off the beaten path on four wheels unlocks several advantages. While it isn’t the cheapest hobby to take up, it is an activity that will quickly become a part of your way of life.
If you’re still on the fence about whether overlanding is right for you, you’ll want to read the many, many benefits that go hand-in-hand with the average overland adventure below.
It’s so much more than a road trip
An overlanding adventure isn’t just about the journey. The steps taken prior to your departure are as fun and fulfilling as the trip itself. You’ll spend time kitting out and building your overland vehicle, planning a journey that works for you and your passengers, and preparing the supplies that’ll help you be as self-sufficient as possible when travelling far from home.
Overlanding after all isn’t an activity you can do on a whim. It takes time and effort to plan the perfect trip, and it’ll make the journey even more satisfying.
It can be gentle on the environment
With the right attitude and guidance, the environmental concerns that often accompany overlanding can be successfully mitigated. There is lots of guidance out there to help overlanding enthusiasts enjoy their trips without leaving a lasting footprint, which makes educating yourself continuously a priority.
Non-profit Tread Lightly offers some great advice to support the responsible use of motorised vehicles outdoors in their official TREAD principles:
“Travel responsibly on land by staying on designated roads, trails and area. Go over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords. when possible, avoid wet, muddy trails. On water, stay on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas.”
With these ethics ringing in your ears, you’ll be able to immerse yourself into the magnificence of nature like never before, whether your overland route takes you through snow, sand, water or rockier climes.
It’s your ticket to discovering hidden gems
Unlike any other excursion, an overland trip doesn’t have to be governed by strict timescales or itineraries. You have the freedom and flexibility to enjoy your trip your way, making your own path, taking detours, or changing your plans at the very last minute to suit you.
With the flexibility to explore more freely than ever before, you’ll get to see your destination and stop-offs in a whole different light, discovering plenty of hidden gems and creating many incredible memories along the way.
It’s a fun and exciting way to travel
All that freedom and flexibility equates to one thing – fun! And this is one of the reasons why adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers love to overland. With the right vehicle setup, you can tailor your overland trip to your exacting needs, whether its purpose is to explore, face fears, or learn new skills in a brand new setting.
Ready to take on your very first overland trip? Read our beginner’s guide to overlanding before getting started.
