Southern Morocco and the Desert by Car: From the Tichka Pass to the Merzouga Dunes
Driving down to the gates of the Sahara is the great Moroccan road adventure. Once you are over the wall of the High Atlas, the oak forests and orchards give way to ochre plateaus, lush oases and the vast dune ridges of Erg Chebbi. Do you really need a 4x4? How should you tackle the bends on the Tichka? Here is what you need to know to make the most of this trip.
Contents
Crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass: the great Atlas traverse
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Dades valley and Todra gorges
Do you need a 4x4, or is an SUV enough for Merzouga?
Fuel, heat and precautions in the south
Crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass: the great Atlas traverse
To get from Marrakech to Ouarzazate there is only one way: the legendary N9 national road, which tops out at the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres. Long feared for its narrow lanes and endless roadworks, it has since been widened, made safer and fitted with crash barriers along almost its entire length.
The 200 kilometres between Marrakech and Ouarzazate take about 3 hr 30 to 4 hr. Stay alert when overtaking lorries on the climbs. In winter, check the forecast: snowfall can close the pass temporarily until the ploughs get through.
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Dades valley and Todra gorges
Beyond Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove, the road runs east along the foothills of the Anti-Atlas. This is the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Take the time to turn north at Boumalne-Dades and climb the spectacular hairpin road into the Dades gorges to see the rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers. Further on, at Tinghir, the Todra gorges rise as sheer limestone walls more than 300 metres high. Both detours are fully surfaced and entirely manageable in any ordinary car.
Do you need a 4x4, or is an SUV enough for Merzouga?
This is the question every traveller planning a Sahara trip asks. The answer is clear: the surfaced road now reaches the first guesthouses, right at the foot of the dunes at Merzouga and Hassilabied.
A true 4x4 with a transfer case is therefore not required for the classic Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Erfoud, Merzouga route. An SUV does bring reassuring ground clearance for potholes, sharp road edges and the short river crossings that follow a storm. If you want to drive over the dunes themselves, leave your rental car in your accommodation's car park and go with local drivers.
Fuel, heat and precautions in the south
In the far south, the distances between towns stretch out considerably. Stick to one golden rule: fill up as soon as the gauge drops to half, especially at Ouarzazate, Tinghir and Erfoud.
In summer, afternoon temperatures regularly pass 40 °C. Keep an eye on the engine temperature, carry several litres of drinking water inside the car, and favour driving in the early morning. Finally, if a sandstorm blows up suddenly, slow down at once, switch on your dipped beams and pull onto the verge if visibility drops to nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for a desert road trip from Marrakech?
Count on a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights, one in the Dades or Todra gorges and one at Merzouga. To enjoy it without spending the whole trip behind the wheel, 4 to 5 days for this loop is ideal.
Can a small city car get over the Tichka pass?
Yes, with no mechanical difficulty: the road is surfaced end to end. Just make sure the car is in good condition and do not overload the boot, so it does not struggle on the steeper climbs.
Where do you park overnight when camping in the dunes?
The guesthouses and camps at Merzouga have private guarded car parks where you leave your car before heading into the dunes by camel or in a dedicated off-road vehicle.
Further reading
rent a car in Marrakech for the desert
the SUVs we recommend for southern Morocco
the 4x4s available to rent in Morocco
discover our Morocco road trip routes
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.