Driving the unpaved C27 Road through Namibia's Desert
Namibia, africa
236 km
1,717 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Namibia's C27 Road – 146 miles of pure, unadulterated Namib Desert adventure. We're talking Hardap and ǁKaras regions, deep in the southwest and the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Forget paved roads, this is a 4x4 kind of party. Expect a bumpy ride, super corrugated and sandy, but honestly, not too challenging.
You'll climb to 5,633 feet above sea level at its peak, so adjust those tire pressures for a smoother, safer ride. Plan for around four hours to soak it all in, and trust me, you'll want to.
The views? Epic! Think Sossusvlei's iconic sand dunes and the vast, soul-stirring emptiness that Namibia is famous for. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings too! Starting near Sesriem, it runs all the way to the C13 junction near Helmeringhausen, paralleling the C14. It’s an experience you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved C27 Road through Namibia's Desert is located in Namibia (africa). Coordinates: -23.3520, 19.1474
Road Details
- Country
- Namibia
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 236 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,717 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -23.3520, 19.1474
Related Roads in africa
extremeHow long is the road to Tizi n’Izdaden?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Deep in Morocco's Drâa-Tafilalet region lies Tizi n’Izdaden, a beast of a mountain pass that tops out at serious altitude! Think stunning, stark desert landscapes in the High Atlas, but don't be fooled by the beauty — this road is a proper challenge. It's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country. Forget a leisurely drive; this is a full-on expedition. Expect loose shale, gnarly rocks, and dust, dust, dust! This is where your 4x4 gets pushed to its absolute limit. Seriously, you'll need a high-clearance vehicle with skid plates and diff lockers. Those razor-sharp rocks will shred regular tires in a heartbeat. The adventure kicks off from the tiny village of Taaraart. From there, you're tackling about 30 km of barely-there tracks. Finding the right way is tricky; even with GPS, shifting sands and zero landmarks will keep you on your toes. You'll cruise across desert plains before the real climbing starts. The climax? A series of 18 crazy-steep hairpin turns carved into the mountainside with absolutely no guardrails! Tight maneuvers and nerves of steel are essential. One wrong move, and you're sliding down a rocky slope. Safety first! This area is super remote, so going solo is a major no-no. Summer temps can hit scorching highs, and the sun at that altitude is brutal. Pack tons of water and emergency supplies. Help is a long way off. Landslides and rockfalls can change the road at any moment. Those steep climbs will test your vehicle's cooling system and brakes. Tizi n’Izdaden is an adrenaline rush only for experienced desert drivers ready for the wild, untamed Moroccan High Atlas.
hardDriving the Ait Qalla Track to Tizi n’Merekse: A hidden detour in the Anti-Atlas
🇲🇦 Morocco
Way out in Morocco's Souss-Massa region, you'll find the Tizi n’Merekse, a super-high mountain pass topping out at 2,352m (7,716ft). It’s a quick detour, but the views of the Anti-Atlas mountains? Totally worth it, especially since you'll be far from the usual tourist crowds! Now, getting there is an adventure. You'll be tackling the Ait Qalla Track, a rough, unpaved mountain road that screams for a 4x4 with good clearance. Think classic Moroccan desert: loose gravel, red dust, and sharp rocks just waiting to mess with your tires. It's short, but seriously rugged, so be prepared to be self-sufficient. The climb starts from another high point, the Tizi n'Tmourhas, right off the already-challenging R112. The Ait Qalla Track is only about 1.9 km (1.18 miles) to the top, but don't let that fool you. Even though the road's fairly straight, there are some seriously steep sections, hitting a 7% gradient. And, at that altitude, the air gets thin, so your engine might struggle a bit. Plus, the loose surface means you'll definitely want 4WD to avoid spinning out. The Tizi n’Merekse is exposed and dry. In summer, expect intense heat and zero shade. Traffic is basically non-existent, so if you have car trouble, you might be waiting a while for help. Before heading up the Ait Qalla Track, make sure your ride's in top shape and you've got plenty of water. The reward? Epic panoramic views of the valleys below – a perspective of the Anti-Atlas most travelers never see. It's the perfect little add-on for overlanders already conquering the wild R112 and looking to bag another high-altitude pass!
moderateWhere is Tizi n’Ait Imi?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi n’Ait Imi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.914m (9,560ft) above sea level, located in Morocco. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. Where is Tizi n’Ait Imi? The pass is located on the boundary between Béni Mellal-Khénifra and Drâa-Tafilalet regions, in the central part of the country. The pass is also known as The Pass of the Sheep with Black Eyes. How long is Tizi n’Ait Imi? The pass is 61.4 km (38.15 miles) long, running north-south from Tabant, (a small town in Azilal Province, Béni Mellal-Khénifra) to Ighil N'Oumgoun (in the Ouarzazate Province of the Souss-Massa-Drâa administrative region). Is Tizi n’Ait Imi unpaved? The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It was built in 2015-2016. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. After rains the road can be very tricky because of mud. Is Tizi n’Ait Imi open in winters? Set high in the Western High Atlas, the greatest mountain range of North Africa, the road is open all year round. However, it’s impracticable in winter because of snow covering the road. Pic: Jorge Ruiz Dueso www.jrdueso.es A paved road to Col du Zad in the Middle Atlas How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Tizi Tigherrouzine 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.
hardHow long is the Montagu Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, picture this: Montagu Pass, nestled in South Africa's Western Cape province, a real gem hiding at 741m above sea level. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a 17.2 km dirt road adventure through the Witfontein Nature Reserve, connecting the N9 and R62 roads. Don't let the "unpaved" part scare you off – most cars can handle it in good weather. Just take it slow. This pass has serious history; construction started way back in 1844 and convicts built it by hand! It's the original route between George and Oudtshoorn and hasn't changed much since. Now, fair warning, things can get a little tight with oncoming traffic. Keep an eye out for closures due to weather or road work. This baby has around 126 bends! Also, watch for falling rocks, especially when it's wet. Expect a 45-60 minute drive if you don't stop, but trust me, you WILL want to stop. The views of the Outeniqua Mountains are absolutely incredible, so plan for photo ops!