Driving to the Summit of Mount Tullu Dimtu: One of Africa’s Highest Roads
Ethiopia, africa
450 km
4,000 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, about 450 km southeast of Addis Ababa, lies Tulluu Diimtuu – a seriously epic peak topping out at 4,389 meters (that's a whopping 14,400 feet!). Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in all of Africa.
Forget paved paradise, this climb is a rough-and-tumble dirt road adventure from start to finish. You'll be winding your way through Bale National Park on a seriously rugged track, eventually peeling off onto a smaller path that leads skyward towards Tulluu Diimtuu.
The trek kicks off in Goba (around 2,600 meters), then climbs steadily to the National Park entrance at 3,500 meters. After that, it's a 20-kilometer blast across the windswept Sanette Plateau (hovering around 4,000 meters), followed by another 17 kilometers before the final, brutal four-kilometer push to the summit. Watch out, it gets steep and narrow! As you reach the top of this ancient volcano, don't expect a fancy sign, just a telecom facility and a friendly guard. The views, though, are out of this world!
Where is it?
Driving to the Summit of Mount Tullu Dimtu: One of Africa’s Highest Roads is located in Ethiopia (africa). Coordinates: 8.9152, 41.4043
Road Details
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 450 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 8.9152, 41.4043
Related Roads in africa
moderateWhere is Molteno Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just conquered Molteno Pass, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride! Perched way up high at an elevation of , this beauty straddles the in the southern part of the country. For most of the way, you're hugging the eastern edge of the Nuweveld Mountain Range, which is seriously stunning. Fun fact: it's named after . The pass was finished way back in , earning its place as one of South Africa's first mountain passes. Now, heads up: the road to the top is a mix of gravel and asphalt, so be prepared for a bit of bumpiness! How long is this adventure? Well, you'll be cruising from to . Trust me; the views are worth every single kilometer!
hardWhy is it called Baster Voetslaan Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Eastern Cape of South Africa, you NEED to check out the Baster Voetslaan Pass. This isn't your Sunday drive; this is a full-on, adrenaline-pumping, 35.3 km (21.93 miles) of unpaved glory, climbing to a lofty 2,240 m (7,349 ft). Legend says it's named after freed slaves who braved it to start a new life, so you know it's got history! Forget your average car; you absolutely need a 4x4 with low range and high clearance to tackle this beast. Seriously, don't even think about it in anything less. Expect some seriously steep and slippery sections with gradients hitting 1:4! But trust me, the views are worth it! We're talking spectacular mountainous terrain and vertigo-inducing drop-offs that will leave you breathless. Keep an eye on the weather though; this area, near the Eastern Cape Highlands, can get hammered by heavy snow in winter. We're talking electrical storms, violent winds, heavy rain, hail, the whole shebang! So, plan accordingly, and get ready for a true adventurer's pass!
extremeTizi Tigdane
🇲🇦 Morocco
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Tizi Tigdane! This Moroccan mountain pass punches way up into the High Atlas range, clocking in at a breathtaking 3,006 meters (that's 9,862 feet!). Seriously, you're practically on top of the world. Forget smooth asphalt, this is a gravel road adventure, pure and simple. Expect narrow stretches, seriously steep climbs, and dramatic drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat (no guardrails here, folks!). The road snakes through a jaw-dropping gorge, switchbacking endlessly up, up, up. A 4x4 is definitely your best friend on this trip. This road ain't for the faint of heart. If you get dizzy easily or freak out about landslides, maybe skip this one. The views are incredible, but the drive demands respect (and serious skills!). Oh, and be warned: the summit is home to a radio transmitter. Finally, pro tip: check the weather before you go. Avalanches, snow, landslides, and crazy winds can turn this beauty into a beast in a heartbeat.
moderateDriving the 4x4 road to Tizi n’Termant is not a piece of cake
🇲🇦 Morocco
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Tizi n’Termant in Morocco! This insane mountain pass punches way up to 9,711 feet, making it one of the highest in the whole country. You'll find it nestled in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, east of its slightly-less-extreme sibling, Tizi n’Tadermant, and north of Tinghir. Now, fair warning: this isn’t a Sunday cruise. We're talking a full 31.8 miles of unpaved, seriously rough road snaking through the Atlas Mountains from Bou Azmou to Zerchane. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's mandatory! But trust me, the views are epic, the kind that'll have you pulling over every five minutes to snap photos. Just be prepared for a wild ride!