Overland off-roading, also called overlanding is a type of off-roading that typically covers more terrain and distance than traditional off-road adventures.
Some people grab a Jeep Wrangler and head out on the trails for a few hours, returning home before the day is done. Overlanding generally means staying away from civilization much longer, involves a focus on self-reliance and resilience, and requires a special rig with room for everything a person needs for several days away from other people.
Still confused, let’s dig in and learn about the differences between overlanding and traditional off-roading.
Overlanding is a commitment
Visit any area in the country with tough and rugged trails, and you can rent a 4×4 to tackle the trails for a day. This is off-roading. Overlanding requires a greater commitment, preparation, and planning. True overlanders are away from paved roads for days at a time, traveling via wilderness trails using various forms of navigation during the journey. Those who embark on these adventures must plan ahead, and take plenty of fuel, food, and other supplies in case things go wrong. The joy of traveling this way is found in the journey and the time unplugged from society.
How much do you love the wilderness?
Many off-roaders will tell you they spend several days or nights in the wilderness, enjoying the fun of tackling the tough trails during the day. Camping is a big part of both overland off-roading and traditional off-roading, but during overland adventures, the journey can last weeks or months at a time with planned pit stops for supplies and fuel along the way. Some overlanders travel across entire continents. Generally, off-roaders will pitch a centralized campsite and spend the days on the local trails, hiking in the forest, or kayaking along the waterways.
Overlanding is a lifestyle
When embarking on an overlanding adventure, it’s important to have many skills. Driving on rough trails is only one of them; camping is another. These adventurers need to understand how to read maps, navigate without GPS, and recognize landmarks that can help them along the way. Much like pioneers and explorers of old, an overland adventure can bring unknown challenges along the way. This truly is a lifestyle, and those that love it spend weeks or months saving and planning for the excursion that can take them across an entire desert, over a glacial region, or through some mostly unexplored valleys.
There’s an international component
While some overland off-roading is done in domestic areas, the most adventurous explorers head to foreign lands and immerse themselves in the culture. This international component requires these adventurers to interact with the local people and learn to communicate with them for supplies, food, and in some cases, safe passage across borders. During these adventures, it’s important to learn how to solve some of the problems that might come up and create an issue for you. This type of travel is something that requires careful planning and research.
Carry as little as possible
If you know you’re only going to be in the local wilderness for a few days, taking along extra comfort items isn’t a big deal. On the other hand, if you intend to embark on an overlanding adventure that could take weeks to complete, you’ll want only the most necessary items and might forgo some comfort features. Of course, you can set up your vehicle with extra storage racks, shelves, and other features that help you carry more gear to be comfortable. The gear you take can be the difference between having enough food, fuel, or emergency supplies and not having what you need out on the trails.
Many overlanders document their journey
If you’re wondering about the fun and adventure of overland off-roading, you can find tons of videos on YouTube. Some overlanders have created a real lifestyle by traveling around the globe on rough roads and unexplored trails, and you can learn more about this lifestyle by watching videos. Overlanding is becoming a popular hobby, which has its ups and downs with some people that don’t understand the challenges they could face, and others that find a love for driving across a rough terrain and seeing views in person that others only see in pictures.
Are you ready for overlanding off-roading, or will you stick to traditional off-road travel? If you think overlanding is for you, it might be a good idea to discuss your plans with someone that has done it and learn more about the time, gear, and planning that goes into one of these adventures.
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