Of the 20 most popular vehicles in Colorado, only three are sedans.

We love our SUVs and pickups here, burly vehicles with high clearance, four-wheel drive, and no fear of a snowy mountain pass.

But how many drivers leave the pavement besides the occasional unpaved ski area parking lot?

Venturing off the pavement onto one of Colorado’s many rough mountain roads can be intimidating.

Who wants to bang up their $50,000 truck on a pleasure trip?

Give it a try, and you’ll find a new way to access the mountains. When you slap on sturdy tires and put the gear shift in “4 low,” you’ll find a new world of access.

This is your beginner’s guide to off-roading.

Know your vehicle

SUVs and pickups come in all shapes and sizes, but to be considered off-road capable, you’ll want at least 8 inches of ground clearance and four-wheel-drive capability. You need tires designed for rough and rocky terrain.

Some makes and models are much more advanced, with features like skid plates to guard against dings, different rock, mud, and sand settings, winches for towing, and other capabilities.

You can also improve your skills with off-highway vehicles like side-by-sides, ATVs, and dirt bikes, but this guide is focused on licensed vehicles.

Start slow

Like any outdoor sport, starting slow on low-risk, low-consequence roads and trails is best for getting to know your vehicle and practicing essentials like tire placement, navigating blind corners, and dealing with steep uphill and downhill roads.

Some roads and trails are a little too rough for a sedan but ideal for testing your mettle and seeing what your vehicle can do.

These roads can be much more difficult when wet or snowy, so check current conditions. National Forest websites update road openings and conditions regularly.

Weston Pass

This road traverses the Mosquito Mountains between Fairplay and Buena Vista in central Colorado. It tops out at 11,921 feet on Weston Pass and was once a busy toll road to the mines of Leadville.

It runs 20 miles and is rarely too bumpy or steep, with few roadside dropoffs to get your heart pumping.

While you’re there:Bring camping gear and spend a night at one of the many pull-off sites in this quiet area. There’s also a campground for those who prefer a little more amenities.

Boreas Pass

This road was the first railroad link to the mines of Breckenridge and is rarely steep or rough. Running 21 miles from Como off U.S. 285, it was famous as the nation’s highest narrow gauge railroad.

Passenger vehicles can drive the road when dry, so it’s a great place to develop your skills.

While you’re there: Get a brochure from the South Park Ranger District office in Fairplay that runs through the road’s rich history and identifies what you’ll see on the way. You can also download a copy from the White River National Forest website.

Paradise Divide

This 27-mile loop above Crested Butte is a great way to explore the majestic Elk Mountains without much effort. It runs through wide-open meadows with splendid views and past pretty Emerald Lake.

While you’re there: Visit in mid-July to see why Crested Butte is known as the “wildflower capital of Colorado.”

Animas Forks

The San Juan Mountains are home to some of Colorado’s most famous off-roading trails and some of its most dangerous. Most aren’t suitable for beginners, but this drive from Silverton will let you see why this area is called “the American Alps.”

From Silverton, it’s 12 miles to the ghost town of Animas Forks, and the road gets rougher the higher you go.

While you’re there: Spend some time at the well-preserved ghost town, which in 1883 had 450 residents and a newspaper.

Peru Creek Road

Summit County is known for skiing, but you can drive through the area’s rough-and-tumble mining past on this gorgeous drive. Starting near the hamlet of Montezuma, it’s a 10-mile out-and-back drive that ends with a gate at the Shoe Basin Mine.

While you’re there: Bring hiking boots and follow the trail above the mine 2.2 miles to Argentine Pass. That pass is also driveable but much more difficult. You can tell yourself you’ll be ready for it someday.

An excellent resource for knowing where to go is “The Guide to Colorado Backroads and 4-Wheel-Drive Trails” by Charles Wells and Matt Peterson, long considered the Bible for off-road enthusiasts.