A paved road to Col du Zad in the Middle Atlas
Morocco, africa
58.8 km
2,184 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Col du Zad is calling, a seriously awesome mountain pass perched way up in Morocco's Middle Atlas range. We're talking 2,184 meters (that's 7,165 feet!) above sea level, right on the border of Fès-Meknès and Drâa-Tafilalet regions.
You'll be cruising on Route N13, a fully paved road that snakes its way to the top. Be prepared for some steep sections that will get your engine revving! This area can get pretty wild, climate-wise, but the good news is the road usually stays open year-round. Just keep an eye on the forecast in winter, as things can get snowy and temporarily shut down the party.
The whole shebang stretches for about 58.8 kilometers (or 36.5 miles for you imperial system fans), running north to south from Timahdite to Zaida. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for the remnants of a massive cedar forest near the summit. Trust me, the views are totally worth the drive!
Where is it?
A paved road to Col du Zad in the Middle Atlas is located in Morocco (africa). Coordinates: 31.7538, -7.0099
Road Details
- Country
- Morocco
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 58.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,184 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 31.7538, -7.0099
Related Roads in africa
hardAzrou Ou Gougane
🌍 Algeria
Okay, folks, let's talk about Azrou Ou Gougane, a wild ride chilling at 1,867 meters (that's 6,125 feet!) in Algeria's Tizi Ouzou Province. You'll find this gem nestled in Djurdjura National Park, and yeah, the road, known as N33, is paved, but don't let that fool you. This isn't a Sunday drive. Expect a rollercoaster of twists, turns, and seriously narrow sections that'll test your driving skills, no matter how seasoned you are. Trust me, you don't want to be tackling this in the dark or when the visibility is crap if you haven't driven it before. Oh, and winter? Expect snow. But hey, the views! You are in for a treat. It's a fantastic road that leads up to Col de Bouhmama. It's stunning, so make sure you bring your camera, and hold on tight!
extremeHow to get to Erg Chigaga dunes in Morocco?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the Zagora Province of Morocco, you'll find Erg Chigaga, supposedly the biggest and most untamed sand dunes in the whole country. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Tucked away near the Algerian border, the road to this sandy paradise, also called Erg Chegaga, is a real beast. Think sand, rocks, and more rocks – strictly 4x4 territory. Your jumping-off point is the Berber town of M'Hamid El Ghizlane (or Lamhamid Ghozlane, if you're feeling fancy). From there, it's a 50 km (30-mile) trek through a landscape of sand, dried-up lakes, and seriously rugged terrain. Trust me, you'll want a driver who knows their stuff. Budget about 2 hours for the whole adventure. And get this – the dunes here are the tallest in Morocco, towering over 150 meters high! What makes Erg Chigaga truly special is that it's off the beaten path. You won't find hordes of tourists here, just a savage, untouched desert experience miles from civilization. If you're looking for an authentic escape, this is it!
hardWhere is Steenkampsberg Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Steenkampsberg Pass is a above sea level, located in Mpumalanga, in South Africa. Where is Steenkampsberg Pass? The pass, sometimes mistakenly referred to as , is located north of Dullstroom, in the northeastern part of the country. It is subject to due to such a high summit altitude. Is the road to Steenkampsberg Pass paved? The road to the summit is yet not in the best condition, as it has a few , especially near the summit. It’s called and was opened in 1988. The steepest parts of the road are at How long is the road through Steenkampsberg Pass? 64.6 km (40.14 miles) long, running west–east from (a town in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in the Limpopo province) to (a town in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Mpumalanga). The road to Lundins Nek Pass is not suitable for normal cars Crossing the narrow Gourits River Bridge Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeWhere is Katbakkies Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, let's talk Katbakkies Pass in the Western Cape of South Africa! This beauty clocks in at 52.5 kilometers (32.62 miles), winding its way between the R355 and Die Dorp Op Die Berg. "Katbakkies" translates to "Cat's Face" or "Car's Boot," and the pass sits high in the Swartruggens Mountains at almost 1,200 meters (3,930 feet). The road's been recently paved, but don't think it's a walk in the park! It's seriously steep, with an average gradient that'll make your engine work. Plus, it's quite narrow, so take your time and soak in the views! Speaking of views, they're absolutely unbeatable, especially from the first lookout point—photographers, get ready! You're basically at the edge of the Tanqua Karoo here, and the landscape is barren and breathtaking. Keep an eye out for amazing birdlife too. Just a heads up: this area sees some crazy weather. Think scorching summers and freezing winters with snowfall (which, let's be honest, is a major draw!). So, is Katbakkies Pass worth the drive? Absolutely! Just be prepared for a bit of an adventure.