Driving the Tizi n'Tichka Pass: The Road to Ouarzazate

Between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, the N9 crosses the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at about 2,260 m above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful roads in the country, and also one of the most demanding if you are not used to mountain driving. Here is how to prepare for this trip with a car rented in Marrakech.

At a glance

• Distance: about 200 km to Ouarzazate, about 190 km to Aït Ben Haddou.
• Duration: about 4 h without stops; plan on a full day with breaks.
• Highest point: the pass, at about 2,260 m.
• Recommended car: a comfortable model, preferably automatic, with room for luggage.

A mountain road, not a motorway

Leaving Marrakech, the N9 first crosses the plain, then climbs into the foothills of the Atlas. Hairpin bends then follow one another for dozens of kilometres, with narrow sections, blind corners and long descents. The 100 km/h limit on open roads is only a ceiling: in the mountain section, your average speed will be much lower.

Trucks and overtaking

The N9 is a commercial route to the south. You will meet heavy lorries, heavily loaded vans and minibuses crawling uphill. Only overtake on a clear straight stretch, never when approaching a bend, even if the driver ahead waves you through. On the way down, use engine braking (or the manual mode of the automatic gearbox) so the brakes do not overheat.

Roadworks and checks

Widening or repair works can mean alternating one-way traffic and a few minutes of waiting. Police checks and speed cameras are frequent at the entrance to villages: keep your papers and the vehicle's documents within reach, and stick to 60 km/h, sometimes 40, in built-up areas.

Weather: check before you leave

In winter, it can snow on the pass. The road is then sometimes closed for a few hours while it is cleared, and ice makes the surface slippery early in the morning. The day before, check the mountain forecast and ask your hotel or riad whether the road is open. Keep water, a snack and a warm layer in the car: a wait at this altitude is quickly felt.

In spring and autumn, storms can bring rocks down onto the road. In summer, it is very hot when you leave Marrakech, but the air cools noticeably at altitude. Whatever the season, set off in the morning: you will enjoy the light and avoid finishing the bends in the dark.

Where to stop along the way

This road is best enjoyed in stages. Allow at least two stops, more if you are travelling with children or if a passenger gets carsick on bends.

• The Taddert area: on the Marrakech side, before the final climb, this village has a row of roadside cafés and small restaurants. A good place for a tea and to rest the driver.
• The viewpoints: several lay-bys overlook valleys and mud-brick villages. Park completely off the carriageway and beware of vehicles appearing suddenly around the curves.
• The pass: a sign marks the highest point, surrounded by stalls selling minerals and fossils. A few photos, then you begin the descent towards the southern side.

Fill up before leaving Marrakech. There are petrol stations along the route, but they are few and far between in the mountains, and cash remains a common means of payment.

The detour to Aït Ben Haddou

Beyond the pass, the landscape becomes more stark and rocky. A signposted fork leads to the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about 190 km from Marrakech, which is about 3 h 30 to 4 h of driving without a detour. Ouarzazate is not much further on.

Many travellers stay overnight in the region rather than making the round trip in one day. Eight hours at the wheel in the mountains is a lot, especially if you want to visit the ksar at your own pace. If your trip continues towards the desert, mention it in your request: the car can be driven anywhere in Morocco. For Merzouga, about 550 km from Marrakech, allow two days of driving.

Which car to rent for the Tichka?

A 4x4 is not necessary: the road is paved all the way. What matters is comfort over several hours, a good driving position and enough room for the suitcases.

Automatic or manual

Behind a truck crawling uphill, through a series of bends, an automatic gearbox saves you from constantly working the clutch. It is not essential, but the day becomes much less tiring. Among our standard cars, the Haval Jolion is an automatic SUV that takes three bags, and the Hyundai Tucson also offers a high driving position and an automatic gearbox, with a boot designed for two suitcases.

What about electric?

Our electric SUVs are very pleasant in town. For a crossing of the Atlas, however, you need to have checked in advance where to charge on arrival. Without that preparation, a petrol or hybrid model, such as the DS 4, remains simpler.

Setting off from Marrakech

If you land late in the day, pick up the car at Marrakech-Menara airport, sleep in town and hit the road the next morning, rested. To get used to local traffic before the mountains, read our tips on driving in Marrakech. And if you have an extra day, the trip out to Agafay makes a good warm-up, without the bends.

For this trip, send us your dates, pick-up location and itinerary through the booking form; the rest is settled on WhatsApp. Our assistance line is available 24 h a day on 06 20 08 80 49 if a question comes up once you are on the road.