Overlanding southern appalachia & the deep south
Regional Routes / Resources
The American South is more than a region — it’s a rhythm. In the Deep South and Southern Appalachia, overlanding unfolds through ridgelines, river valleys, red clay backroads, and forest corridors that have carried people for generations. From the Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau to the foothills of Georgia and Alabama, this part of the country rewards those who travel slowly and pay attention. Here, overlanding isn’t about conquering terrain — it’s about understanding place, respecting history, and letting the land set the pace.
GladiatorUp focuses on the Deep South and Southern Appalachia — primarily Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Upstate South Carolina. The routes and resources linked below are curated with that focus in mind: drivable, repeatable adventures that balance access, culture, and wildness. Whether you’re planning a quiet weekend loop, learning how to read Appalachian backroads, or building confidence for longer journeys, this is a starting point for traveling the South the way it was meant to be traveled — one thoughtful mile at a time.