Col du Tizi n'Tichka Pass, The Most Dangerous Road in Morocco

Col du Tizi n’Tichka Pass is a Moroccan mountain pass that crosses the Atlas Mountains. Its north face faces the cosmopolitan city of Marrakech, its south face to the Sahara Desert. This pass reaches 7,414 ft (2,260 metres) above sea level, making it the highest pass in Morocco, and connects the city of Marrakech with the valleys of southern Morocco, where the dunes of the desert begin to appear.

Location	Morocco
Elevation	7,414 ft (2.260 metres)
Type of road	Paved
Mountain range	Atlas Mountains
Best time to visit	May to October

Col du Tizi n’Tichka, Tomasz Dunn

Since it is the only land route that connects Marrakech with the great south of Morocco, the traffic is overcrowded, especially during the tourist season. The large number of trucks, buses, community taxis and tourists, together with the peculiar way of driving in Morocco, make this route one of the most dangerous in the country. Still, if you have the idea of traveling to Morocco, do not hesitate to take this road trip, as well as the one of the Dades Gorge, which is located nearby.

Driving Tizi n’Tichka

It is a two-lane road that winds through the mountains. The road is narrow and winding, but it offers stunning views of the mountains. Drive carefully. The road is narrow and winding and can be slippery in wet or snowy conditions. Allow extra time to drive through the pass. It is a long road and there can be traffic, especially on weekends. Col du Tizi n’Tichka Pass is a beautiful and exciting place to drive. It is a great way to see the High Atlas Mountains and it is an experience you will not forget.

Tizi n’Tichka landslides, Klaus

Ait Benhaddou is a fortified town in Morocco, located about an hour’s drive from the Tizi n’Tichka pass.

Location

After crossing the pass, a winding descent will take you to the tourist cities of Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Ait Ben Haddou has been the setting for classic films such as Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 and Gladiator in 2000, and Ouarzazate is home to the Atlas Film Studios, the most important in Morocco, where several international producers work. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best Time to Drive Tizi n’Tichka

Col du Tizi n’Tichka Pass is open all year round, but it may be closed during the winter due to snow. Traffic is heavier during the summer months, but the weather is more favorable. It is a popular tourist attraction and a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers.

History

The road was built by the French army in 1936, although it had been used as a trade route for thousands of years. Like many other mountain passes, it was paved for military use. It is now part of National Route 9 (formerly Route P-31).