Five unlikely epic drives

TV presenter and motorcycling adventurer Charley Boorman travelled on the world’s least trodden roads when he drove east from London to New York with Ewan McGregor for Long Way Round (and then from John O’Groats to Cape Town for Long Way Down).

Although he prefers two wheels of a motorcycle to tackle extreme frontiers, he’s no stranger to four-wheel drives. This month, he’ll be getting behind the wheel of an F1 car to join the Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge as a part of the Australian Grand Prix (13-16 March) – but not before he shares his top drives with us.

Do you know an epic drive? Send us your photos, and you could see them in a future issue.

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Mongolia

With only 400 miles of tarmac road, Mongolia was challenging. You travel mostly on dirt roads with no signposts. You have a GPS and a map, but it only locates lakes and small towns. You can’t ask for directions either because most locals take mountain paths, on horseback or camel.

Car of choice: A classic Furgone van is ideal for that terrain

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Sani Pass, South Africa

This spectacular, twisty 9km dirt road connects Lesotho to KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa, snaking its way through the rocky cliffs of the Drakensberg Mountains. It’s an incredible road but strictly for experienced drivers – think hairpin corners and no barriers – so you’ll need nerves of steel.

Car of choice: It’s best to drive what the locals drive. In this case, a Nissan Patrol

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Bealach na Bà, Scotland

This historic mountain pass on the west coast of Scotland boasts the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level at Applecross to 626m. It’s a single-track mountain road with sharp turns that switch back and forth up the hillsides, ending in the wildly beautiful Applecross peninsula, where you’ll find the Applecross Inn – perfect for lunch.

Car of choice: Range Rover LR-SDV8 4.4 Diesel

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Hobart to Strahan, Tasmania

The 300km route from Hobart, capital of Tasmania, to Strahan on the west coast takes you on some of the most beautiful windy roads through spectacular forests. The view is extraordinary on the last hairpin corner, which drops you into the centre of Strahan. I think it’s the greatest tarmac road I’ve ever ridden on.

Car of choice: One of the big Australian muscle cars, a Holden V8

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Dijon, France to Lake Como, Italy

The road from Dijon to Lake Como, via Geneva and the Alps, is stunning. At the end, in Como, there’s the beautiful Moto Guzzi motorcycle factory, which is built into a mountain. Finish the day with a glass of rosé at a restaurant by the lake.

Car of choice: Most people would go for a Ferrari through Italy, but I’d choose a Bentley Sport Continental

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Charley Boorman

Five unlikely epic drives

Mongolia

Sani Pass, South Africa

Bealach na Bà, Scotland

Hobart to Strahan, Tasmania

Dijon, France to Lake Como, Italy

Mongolia

Sani Pass, South Africa

Bealach na Bà, Scotland

Hobart to Strahan, Tasmania

Dijon, France to Lake Como, Italy

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