The world, and its many beautiful destinations, may be more accessible than ever but there are still several hidden gems to discover. One of the many benefits of owning a 4WD vehicle is that you officially have the means to go off the beaten track. With the right 4×4 upgrades, you can conquer any terrain to discover the most rugged destinations and remote routes.
In this blog post, we reveal the remote destinations that should be on the hit list of every off-roader.
Australia’s Canning Stock
Considered the most remote 4×4 track in the world, the Canning Stock route is as challenging as it gets – which means plenty of thrills along the way! We’ll let Tracks 4×4 Tagalong explain more about what to expect from this iconic route:
“Named after its creator, surveyor Alfred Canning, and covering a total distance of around 1,850 km, this journey covers some of the most isolated and magnificent country in Australia. The track was originally put in to bring cattle down from the North and on this trip, you will marvel at how they not only found water out here, but then had the energy to dig these wells, some as deep as 20m!”
The Canning Stock route isn’t for the faint-hearted however. In fact, it is one of the most rugged routes on the planet, and can take experienced drivers up to 24 days to complete.
The North Highlands
You don’t have to travel too far to discover uninterrupted wildernesses and endless natural beauty. The UK offers a long list of places to the visit with your overland truck, including the Scottish Highlands. Head to Scotland’s northerly regions to find the most rugged landscapes.
From never-ending coastlines, sandy beaches and rugged mountains to remote towns, villages and entire islands, Scotland really does have it all. One of our favourite and most remote routes is the North Coast 500, and you’ll find out why it’s so often described as “Scotland’s ultimate road trip” pretty soon into its 516-mile course.
Icelandic Highlands
From Scotland’s famous Highlands to Iceland’s, and a truly impressive route that takes you far away from the country’s main Ring Road. Just off the beaten track, there are hundreds of smaller, unpaved trails to explore, which span the Icelandic countryside to the north west and its lesser travelled central interior.
There are plenty of natural wonders to take in along the way, including active volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and fjords.
New Zealand’s South Island
Offering a very different scene, New Zealand’s rarely explored South Island is a lush landscape and one that can be explored on four wheels.
See glaciers, valleys, mountains, beaches, forests and lakes that can only be reached by 4×4 and discover a wilderness that only few have conquered. Its Catlins route is a great place to start your 4×4 adventure, with everything from rainforests and waterfalls to the most beautiful beaches to explore.
The Caucasus Mountains
If snowier climes are more your thing, Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains will be your personal 4×4 paradise. The mountain range is home to the highest point in Europe, Mount Elbrus, and is the place where Europe and Asia meet. It’s also largely unexplored by tourists, yet still a must-visit for off-roading enthusiasts.
Venture to Ushguli, the highest inhabited village in Europe, and explore the oldest vineyards in the world as well as the highest mountains and lowest valleys.
