offpavement

Offpavement, often written as off-pavement or off-pavement driving, refers to movement or activity conducted away from paved roads and sidewalks onto unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, sand, or natural terrain. The term is used across transportation, recreation, and land management contexts to distinguish operations that occur outside standard asphalt or concrete infrastructure from those on maintained streets.

In transportation and recreation, offpavement describes driving, riding, or hiking on non-paved routes. Vehicles such as four-wheel-drive automobiles, SUVs, dirt bikes, ATVs, and mountain bikes are commonly used for offpavement travel. Trails may range from primitive dirt paths to well-maintained gravel roads; in many jurisdictions, offpavement activity requires specialized equipment, training, and permits, and may be restricted in sensitive areas.

Environmental and safety considerations include soil erosion, vegetation damage, wildlife disturbance, and trail widening from repeated use. Practices such as staying on designated trails, avoiding wet or fragile areas, and following group etiquette (leave-no-trace principles) are encouraged. Regulations vary by country and region; enforcement may include vehicle type restrictions, seasonal closures, and permit systems. Safety gear and training reduce risk.

Offpavement is also a broad term used in construction and land-management contexts when work occurs away from established pavements, such as rural access improvements, mining site entrances, or temporary detours.