How much by dirt trails…
 

Hi all,
Perhaps this question ought to be somewhere else on the hub but not sure where to put it.
I’m really into the off-road side of travel and wondered how much of the world can be navigated via dirt trails alone? Would be possible to link the world up like the TET has done with Europe. I’m getting that some countries, off road is forbidden altogether or there are not trails to navigate.
I have been to “the Stans” and loved that Tarmac was rare and could be avoided. Where there was a dirt road (full of corrugations) the dirt trails either side were much better and fun….
Of course, a tarmac road is such a relief when shattered and you need to get somewhere, but do wonder about the opportunity to ride the world by dirt where you can.
A pipe dream at the moment….

That was one of the motivations for choosing to live where I do (I can get pretty much anywhere I need to off road from my house, lol), but from what I can tell there are large chunks of the world where it's not possible to avoid roads because the alternative is impassible mountains / jungle / desert / woods.

Good luck in your search for unpaved fun :)

For South Africa check the "Wilddog Forum":


https://wilddog.net.za/threads/tsat-...241580/page-21
The post #411 has the latest data for the TSAT (Trans South African Trail)

Buy a [large scale] map of each country you'd like to include, and start plotting...

fwiw. there are huge chunks of the TET which are paved roads, albeit mainly minor ones - conversely the vast majority of the TAT (Trans-America Trail) utilises unpaved roads and trails, although there are still some significant portions on the eastern side of the country which are paved (again, mainly minor roads).

It would be impossible to navigate all the way around the whole world without using pavement occasionally (if only to avoid private land), but if you have the time and inclination, you can probably navigate a pretty convoluted route which avoids a lot of paved roads, particularly once you get out of Europe.

Ironically perhaps, by publishing or promoting a defined route (such as the TET project has throughout Europe), the more those particular unpaved roads and trails get used, the more likely they'll end up either being paved or closed at some point...

So I'd leave now while you can, and let us know how you get on!

Jx