An edge server of a distributed edge compute and routing service receives a tunnel connection request from a tunnel client residing on an origin server, that requests a tunnel be established between the edge server and the tunnel client. The request identifies the hostname that is to be tunneled. An IP address is assigned for the tunnel. DNS record(s) are added or changed that associate the hostname with the assigned IP address. Routing rules are installed in the edge servers of the distributed edge compute and routing service to reach the edge server for the tunneled hostname. The edge server receives a request for a resource of the tunneled hostname from another edge server that received the request from a client, where the other edge server is not connected to the origin server. The request is transmitted from the edge server to the origin server over the tunnel.