The truth about the drive to tizi n'tichka pass_morocco_driving_the truth_experience_roads_marrakech to desert_hairpin_canyon_beautiful_not_dangerous_mountain top view

The Truth About Driving through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass

From this point onward, forget everything you have heard or read about driving through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass from Marrakech to the desert. Here’s the truth about driving through the Pass based on my first hand experience.
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From this point onward, forget everything you have heard or read about driving through the Tizi N’Tichka Pass from Marrakech to the desert. Here’s the truth about driving through the Pass based on my first hand experience.

Photography and video property of SVADORE

Anything and everything you read on google about the drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate through the Tizi N’Tichka pass will try and convince you not to attempt it on your own. They claim, the drive is terrifying, the people are insane, the roads are dangerous and their are many hairpin turns. I am here to tell you, all these claims are false…! After reading up on the pass myself, I was a bit worried about the drive down. However, when Pat and I finally found ourselves face to face with the pass, we awaited our “impending doom” as some people call it for hours on end. When would the drive turn from a regular mountainous drive to a horrific death trap? The answer was never. Driving the Tizi N’Tichka path truly is as beautiful as people describe it and NOT as dangerous as everyone describes it. What might be scary is the drive down the Dades Gorge..but I can’t speak to that since I have never driven it before. A quick google search will show that many people confuse the Dades Valley drive with the Tizi N’Tichka drive. In fact most of the pictures posted online for the Tizi N’Tichka pass are actually pictures of the Dades Valley. The people who are posting these pictures have obviously never done the actual drive themselves and have resorted to the internet to share false horror stories and pictures on the pass. I’m here to recount the drive to you based on firsthand experience. None of the pictures I took give the true drive and breathtaking views any justice, but I did my best!

It begins with a winery-esque landscape with straight roads that lead into a dry forest landscape with winding roads. Here you begin to see the Berber villages still made out of mud brick cratered down the side of the mountains and in the dams below you-a beautiful and rare sight! You’ll encounter a lot of school children, sheep herds and a few hitchhikers along the way, all part of the scenery. 

The truth about the drive to tizi n'tichka pass_morocco_driving_the truth_experience_roads_marrakech to desert_hairpin_canyon_beautiful_not_dangerous_view

Once you exit the dry forest you will find yourself immediately surrounded by arid rocks. Don’t be surprised to find some distinct contrasts, such as a mountain with one side made of white limestone and the other made of green trees, and men along the street selling open rocks beholding beautiful red, pink and orange crystals! The winding roads continue across the canyon-like mountains as you approach the Tizi N’Tichka pass. 

The truth about the drive to tizi n'tichka pass_morocco_driving_the truth_experience_roads_marrakech to desert_hairpin_canyon_beautiful_not_dangerous_view_red_mountain_arid_river.jpg

Once out of the white canyon-like rocks, you will begin to drive up winding roads surrounding beautiful red mountains. This is where the Tizi N’Tichka pass begins. Yes, you will have to pass the occasional tour bus or slow truck along the two lane road, but it is nothing to be frightened about and is super easy. The roads are too winding to drive faster than 40km p/hour so fast and reckless drivers are not an issue either! As you begin to reach the highest point of the pass the roads become super smooth to drive on. The two lane road turns into a huge three lane road that has been newly paved. Giving people ample space to drive up the mountain and stop for the occasional scenic picture. 

The truth about the drive to tizi n'tichka pass_morocco_driving_the truth_experience_roads_marrakech to desert_hairpin_canyon_beautiful_not_dangerous_

After you descend the mountain you will find yourself in a desert like landscape surrounded by red mountains and straight roads leading you to your final destination. Although many will encourage you to rent a grand taxi, a mini day trip bus or a large coach bus, I highly recommend you do the drive on your own. It may be a 3 to 4 hour drive, but it is well worth it given the beautiful scenery. The trip goes by a lot faster than you think and it is super fun to drive! Additionally, the only somewhat scary part about the drive was the buses and grand taxis themselves! Those huge buses are going 40 to 50 km p/hour, the same speed as Pat and I, but on a tall and huge bus while the driver has one hand on the wheel and the other on his phone. The risk of tipping over in those buses seems high and I would not trust being in a bus with a reckless driver and a bus full of car sick tourists.

As for rest stops? There are plenty along the way so there is no need to determine your pitstops based on the buses time schedule. Don’t let all the misinformed horror stories of the Tizi N’Tichka pass deter you from a once in a lifetime easy, fun and rare drive from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate. Take to the road and you will find that you will not regret my advice..! 

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  1. Hi Sveva. Looks like you n pat had a great trip. The photography is great . I enjoyed your article. Hope to see you both this summer. Much love, Liz

  2. Thanks for sharing your amazing experience. We are going to Morocco next week. We (my husband and me) are new drivers and have been driving for some months in the UK. No hill driving experience. What would be your suggestion? Can we drive on our own?

    1. Hi Archu! Yes, you can definitely drive on your own. I was not used to driving up mountainous areas either and I must say it was super fun. It made the drive much more enjoyable. You will do just fine, just make sure you have a car that is not too small and not too big! You want a car big enough to withstand dirt roads, but small enough that it fits on narrow roads. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

      1. Hi Svadore, We are back from Morocco and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Thanks to your blog, we gathered courage to drive through Tichka pass by ourselves and it was wonderful! Your tips about car helped as well. We took intermediate car, appropriate for the travel… Cheers! Keep sharing your experiences and inspiring others!!!

      2. Hi Archu, I am so happy to hear my post inspired you to drive through the Tizi N Tichka! Not bad right? 🙂 Completely safe..! I am glad you enjoy following my blog and hope to inspire your next adventure soon!

    1. Hi Mariana! Thanks for reaching out! May I ask what time of year you are going? A Fiat 500 is fine if it’s summer time. You might want a more powerful engine for some of the hills, but the Fiat should be fine, it just might not go up them as fast as a bigger car. If it’s any other time of year. I’m always happy to help should you find a good deal on car should you need any! 🙂

  3. Thanks for sharing the post. Many people skip to visit the Atlas Mountains or the Sahara desert, as they are afraid to drive or ride on these mountains. Really appreciate!

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