Iceland’s Highlands

Dynkur waterfall, considered one of Iceland's most beautiful, is downstream from several existing hydro-power projects

It's hard to find a country in Europe that beats Iceland as a four-wheel-drive destination.

The country’s main road—known as the Ring Road or Highway 1—circles the island and connects most of the towns as well as a number of waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, and other natural wonders. However, as beautiful as all these places may be, there is an even more impressive sense of solitude and untamed wilderness that you can experience once you leave the highway. As you drive along the hundreds of smaller unpaved roads in Iceland, you’ll find a countryside that is almost entirely uninhabited in its central interior and far north-western reaches.

In the centre of Iceland lies the Highlands, a largely uninhabited volcanic, moss-covered, and mountain-dotted land. And in the northwest, spectacular fjords await, where birds, whales, seals and foxes are numerous, but humans are rare. These are only a few of many places that are worth exploring in a 4WD, as almost all of Iceland has dirt roads that will lead you to stunning natural wonders.

New Zealand’s South Island

New Zealand’s South Island

The South Island of New Zealand was the setting and star of The Lord of the Rings films, the legendary trilogy by director Peter Jackson.

Jackson found that his own country offered a world complete with every natural feature a director could ask for: rivers, lakes, wild beaches, dense forests, mountains that are thousands of metres high, glaciers, vast valleys, and much more.

Although there are paved roads in this part of New Zealand, there are also remote places that can only be reached by following dirt tracks. Two examples are The Catlins coastline, located on the south-eastern tip of the island, and the pristine beaches near Monkey Island, on the island’s southern coast.

Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains

Snow covered Ushguli village at the foot of Mt. Shkhara in Georgia.

Georgia has almost no tourist infrastructure, which means that its nature remains virtually untouched. It also makes it one of the best countries to explore in a 4x4.

The ruggedness of the terrain means that people in the more remote areas need to have 4x4s—here there are fewer vehicles for those in search of adventure. It is a common necessity. Wherever your off-road travels take you, you’ll find welcoming locals, some of the oldest vineyards in the world, and varied and interesting cuisine.

The Caucasus Mountains are considered Europe's easternmost frontier and at 5,642 metres, Mount Elbrus is the highest point in Europe. As Georgia sits between the Lesser Caucasus and the Greater Caucasus, driving here offers the chance to explore the area where two continents, Europe and Asia, meet.

Along your way, you'll find volcanic plateaus and forgotten villages like picturesque Ushguli, with a population of just over 200. Sitting at an altitude of 2,000 metres, it is said to be the highest human settlement in Europe. Along the way, you will pass medieval forts and the views of soaring peaks and verdant valleys will leave you in awe.

The Great African Adventure, from Egypt to South Africa

Clouds at dawn on Lake Malawi, Karonga, Malawi

The African continent is an ideal playground for those in search of 4x4 adventures. There are countless routes in each country, so the best way to experience the fullest adventure is to undertake the great journey from Egypt to South Africa. Admittedly, travelling the length of Africa from north to south is not possible for everyone. It requires a serious commitment in terms of economic resources, time, logistics, endurance, tenacity, energy, and enthusiasm.

If you are up for it, however, this expedition will take you to the pyramids of Egypt, along the Nile and through apparently endless deserts. You’ll visit storied Ethiopia, see the animals of Kenya, and cross Tanzania (home of Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa), Malawi and its beautiful lake, and welcoming Mozambique, where you can gaze upon Victoria Falls.

Also along the route are Uganda and Rwanda, where you can visit the mountain gorillas. With a 4x4, you can chart your own route, at your leisure, on the continent where man was born.

Turkey’s Taurus Mountains

Aygirdibi Waterfall surrounded by trees with fall colours is seen during autumn season in Konya, Turkey.

The Taurus Mountains are one of the highlights of Turkey, running parallel to the Mediterranean coast. The summit of Demirkazık is 3,756 metres above sea level and most of the other peaks of this mountain range are over 3,000 metres. Most of the region's rivers originate here, and then eventually find their way to the sea in the form of waterfalls, though many also form majestic pools and lakes, like Lake Kovoda.

Koprulu Canyon National Park is a favourite destination for rafting and hiking. A 4×4 can take you through the dense cedar forests to explore its unique landscape. The mountains are also just a short drive from the tourist town of Antalya, a perfect starting point for this off-piste adventure.

South America’s Patagonia

Car on the way to Lagunas del Mie, Perito Moreno National Park, Southern Andean Patagonia, Santa Cruz, Argentina.

Patagonia, at the southern tip of South America, is a lonely, arid land, where man's presence is mostly limited to small isolated villages and farms.

On the Chilean side, the Torres del Paine is the most famous landmark in the rugged landscape. On the Argentine side, travellers come to see the glaciers of El Calafate and Fitz Roy, while towns like El Chaltén and El Bolsón are ideal places to relax and commune with nature. On both sides of the border, you’ll find dramatic forests and alpine lakes near towns like Bariloche (Argentina) and Puerto Varas (Chile).

It is possible to reach many of these sights in conventional vehicles, but Patagonia is also criss-crossed by myriad gravel and dirt tracks best explored in a 4x4. They offer the possibility to get lost in places where the nearest human being may be hundreds of kilometres away.

Spain’s Pyrenees

Andorra

If you think only of Spain’s cities and its beaches when you imagine a vacation there, you may not realise that it also has some great destinations for 4x4 adventures. One of the most dramatic areas is the Pyrenees, known for its unspoilt natural habitats and isolated mountain villages.

Visitors to these peaks can see alpine flowers, shepherds and their flocks, and the bears, deer, and vultures that live amid these mountain peaks.

You will need a 4×4 to explore the valley of the Noguera Pallaresa river, near the French border. From there, you can drive to the tiny nation of Andorra and drive along the border with France. As you travel on some of the most dramatic dirt roads in Europe, breathtaking views await at every bend.