Travel Off The Map
Some travelers seek to carve their own paths, visiting remote untouched destinations amidst the wilderness. Much of the world's most serene landscapes are thick in the middle of nowhere or at hard-to-reach locations. From deserted islands to secluded ecovillages, there's so much of the Earth to discover off the grid.
1. Mulu National Park, Borneo
The world’s largest cave chamber and the remarkable Pinnacles of Gunung are situated in the heart of Mulu National Park. To reach the unique Pinnacles’ viewing platform requires a challenging 3-day hike through the lush island jungle. Embarking on a journey through remote caves and dense jungle is for the adventurous souls destined for untouched trails.
2. Lammas Ecovillage, Wales
If you want a taste of what it’s like to live off-the-grid in a sustainable community, Lammas Ecovillage is one of the best examples in the UK. The neighborhood lives off of sharing and caring with people trading products and services and helping each other live in self-reliance. The nearby beach is a gorgeous and vast spectacle overlooking an open sea.
Permaculture Association on Wikimedia
3. Sedona, Arizona, USA
Sedona is arguably one of the best spots to go off the grid in the United States for several reasons. The landscape is wonderful and wild, the weather is moderate, and there are many areas where it’s legal to live off the land, making it easier to set up camp in the middle of nowhere. Geodomes, eco-friendly energy-efficient structures, are popular rental accommodations.
4. Faroe Islands, Denmark
The Faroe Islands attract avid hikers and birdwatchers to its mountainous landscape with grassy valleys and coastal cliffs that thousands of seabirds call home. With 18 volcanic islands that span from Iceland to Norway, you’re in for a remote island hopping experience achievable by tunnels, ferries, and bridges.
5. Lord Howe Island, Australia
Lord Howe is a quiet and secluded island with a small community of a few hundred people. If you’re looking for a peaceful wander in a tranquil destination with white sand beaches and protected conservations, sail over to Lord Howe Island to experience the natural oasis.
6. White Desert Whichaway Camp, Antarctica
A cluster of eco-friendly pods make up the hard-to-reach White Desert Whichaway Camp in the East of Antarctica. Only accessible by private aircraft, the camp is more of a cold and wild luxury for those who can afford to travel there. Once-in-a-lifetime adventures include ice tunnel treks and a visit to the South Pole and an Emperor Penguin colony that Attenborough made famous in BBC’s Earth documentaries.
7. Anegada, British Virgin Islands
If you want to live out your stranded-on-a-tropical-island fantasy, Enegada is for you. It’s a quaint coral island surrounded by breathtaking reefs offering snorkelers and divers an underwater paradise of caves, sea creatures, and shipwrecks. Its idyllic palm tree-lined white sand will have you longing to stay lost on the secluded beaches forever.
Walker Mangum. Original uploader was Nwmangum at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
8. Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
A visit to Vieques Island of Puerto Rico will take you to a lush, uncrowded getaway in an island paradise. The small community doesn’t rely heavily on technology, making it easier to ditch your devices and immerse yourself in nature. You’re in for a slow-paced adventure in the sunshine and turquoise waters.
9. Marble Caves, Patagonia, Chile
The incredibly unusual Marble Caves are situated in one of the most remote regions of Chile. The best way to see nature’s marble kingdom is by paddling through the General Carerra Lake to reach them. You’ll feel like you’ve entered an otherworldly paradise thick in the middle of the wilderness.
10. Freedom Cove, British Columbia, Canada
Freedom Cove defines off-the-grid living as a self-built island homestead where residents live off the land in sustainable homes. The little community is proud and eager to share their environmental mindset with others. The floating homestead is only accessible by boat and visitors can only visit during the summer months with a pre-booked tour pass.
11. Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
At an elevation of 10,000-16,000 feet, Qinghai-Tibet is the highest plateau in the world and a pinnacle of off-the-grid locations for those who can reach it. Despite its high altitude and harsh ever-changing climate, the secluded peak is alive with plants, flowers, and rare wildlife.
12. The White Desert, Egypt
A desert is well-known as the quintessential off-the-grid location and The White Desert is at the top for one of the most remote. The vast, otherworldly landscape is made up of massive chalk-like formations, strong desert winds, and scorching heat from the sun. If you can manage the harsh climate, The White Desert turns into a shimmering splendor of gold as the sunrises and sets.
13. The Azores, Portugal
The Azores islands are plunked in the middle of the Atlantic offering a remote destination to detach from the hustle and bustle. With rural regions and lush untouched landscapes, the islands are for nature lovers looking for a beacon of sustainability.
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC on Wikimedia
14. Blue Nile Gorge, Ethiopia
Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Africa”, the Blue Nile Gorge is a large jaw-dropping gorge immersed in a wild landscape. Prepare for a challenging but rewarding drive as you take a treacherous road that snakes through stunning scenery. If you want to take a journey off the beaten path, Ethiopia is calling you.
15. Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada
Hornby Island is easily accessible by ferry, making it an approachable destination for those looking to travel off the beaten path without a difficult commute. It’s a quirky little island where artists, writers, and fishermen call home. There aren’t many businesses on the island other than those selling their craft and produce. The loudest noises you’ll hear come from the elephant seals basking in the sun on the rocks by the shore.
16. Meteora, Greece
In the Greek language, Meteora means “suspended in the air” and this incredible rock formation was once home to 9th-century monks who were seeking isolation. By the 16th century, 24 Orthodox monasteries had been built on the sandstone cliffs but only 6 are visitable today and under 100 nuns and monks live there. Meteora is a wild and remote location for those seeking land drenched in culture and spirituality.
Vangelis Batsikostas on Unsplash
17. Fljot Valley, Iceland
You won’t feel more isolated in natural beauty than when you’re in the Fljot Valley on the Troll Peninsula in northern Iceland. Take in the snowcapped mountains, and sensational hot springs by day and watch the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky at night.
18. Tristan Da Cunha, UK
Tristan is the place to be if you’re looking for a remote island town by the seaside. Only a few hundred people live there and the atmosphere is friendly and laid-back. You’ll feel energized as you breathe in the salty sea air while hiking amongst the grassy mountainous landscape.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Wikimedia
19. Skellig Michael, Ireland
Off the coast of County Kerry, the island of Skellig Michael is a rocky sacred site with an ancient Christian monastery. Renowned as a filming location for two of the Star Wars movies, eager fans long to walk in Skywalker’s footsteps. Skellig Michael also offers birdwatchers a remote site for breeding seabirds.
20. Ivvavik National Park, Canada
Ivvavik National Park is arguably one of the most remote and stunning locations in Canada with very few human visitors. The Yukon gem has no roads so once you’re there you’ll be immersed in the wilderness, rich in indigenous culture, thriving wildlife, and seasonal snow.
