R703 is a scenic road in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco
Morocco, africa
83.2 km
2,300 m
easy
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Moroccan adventure on the R703, a seriously stunning mountain road carved into the eastern High Atlas Mountains!
This 83km (52-mile) route kicks off near Agoudal, a charming little mountain town perched at 2,300m (7,545ft), and winds its way north to the N10 near Tinghir, a city nestled south of the High Atlas range.
Prepare to be wowed as you cruise through the breathtaking Todra Gorges (keep an eye out for potential flooding!). The road climbs to a dizzying 2,675m (8,776ft) at the Tizi-n-Tirherhouzine pass. Word of warning: this pass can be closed in winter. Rain can make driving tricky, as water often flows over the road in the gorge. Good news is the road was completely paved in 2014! Just remember, always check the weather before you go, and maybe skip it in severe weather.
Where is it?
R703 is a scenic road in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco is located in Morocco (africa). Coordinates: 31.7000, -7.6039
Road Details
- Country
- Morocco
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 83.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,300 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 31.7000, -7.6039
Related Roads in africa
moderateIs Cala Pass paved?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers, because Cala Pass in South Africa's Eastern Cape province is calling your name! This beauty tops out at 1,517m (that's nearly 5,000 feet!), offering views that'll make your jaw drop. The road? Smoothly paved as you climb nearly 300 meters over just under 6 km—a decent climb with some sections getting a little steeper. Spanning just over 28 km, the R410 connects Khowa (formerly Eliot) to Cala, winding through the Chris Hani District Municipality. Good news is, Cala Pass is generally open year-round. However, be prepared for anything! Winter can bring snow and seriously chilly temps. And those summer electrical storms and mountain mists? They're frequent visitors, so keep an eye on the weather. All said, it's an epic journey through some stunning South African landscapes.
hardA journey on the legendary Montagu Pass of SA
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through South Africa's Western Cape, heading towards the majestic Outeniqua Mountains. You ditch the main highway and find yourself on Montagu Pass, a seriously cool old road that climbs up to 741m (2,431ft). This isn't your average Sunday drive. This 17.2 km (10.68 miles) gravel track winds its way from the N9 north of George up to the sleepy little village of Heroldt, nestled in the Witfontein Nature Reserve. Don't worry, you don't need a monster truck – most 2x4s can handle it in good weather. Forget fancy engineering; this road was built by hand, starting way back in 1844! Imagine 250 convicts carving this route through the mountains. This was the OG road between George and Oudtshoorn, replacing an even scarier pass. They say it's the oldest unaltered pass still being used in South Africa. Now, a heads-up: it gets a bit tight in places. Passing another car can be a bit of an adventure! Plus, keep an eye out for closures due to weather or road work. Seriously, this pass saw some damage in '96 and was shut down for ages! Expect hairpin turns – like, 126 of them – and some steep sections with gradients hitting 1:6. And keep an eye on the slopes above for falling rocks, especially when it's wet! Allow around 45-60 minutes to soak it all in (without stops). Trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are insane, some of the best in the region. There are plenty of pull-offs to snap photos and just breathe in that fresh mountain air. This road is an absolute must-do for any road trip through the Western Cape.
hardThe inhumane climb to Hanskop with 27% ramps
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Just south of Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa, lies Hanskop – a mountain peak soaring to 1,159m (3,802ft). It’s also known as Hanse Kop, and trust me, you want to get up there! The summit is packed with communication towers, but that's a small price to pay for the unreal 360-degree views of the Cape Town area and the Overberg region. Seriously stunning! The road? It’s fully paved, so that’s a win, but hold on – it's narrow and steep. You'll be gripping the wheel, especially because it can get super slick after a rain shower, and access to the summit is sometimes closed. Starting in Grabouw at 360m, you've got 11.3 km (7.02 miles) of pure uphill bliss (and maybe a little pain). You'll climb a whopping 799 meters, averaging a 7.07% gradient. But brace yourself, because some sections crank up to a leg-burning 27%!
hardJebel Ouamenzri
🇲🇦 Morocco
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Jebel Ouamenzri in central Morocco. We're talking Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region—basically, the heart of incredible landscapes. So, you'll be cruising on the R704, which tops out at a whopping 2,583 meters (8,474 feet). Hold on tight, because this road is a BEAST. Think thrilling, think challenging, think... whoa, those are some serious drop-offs! The first part from Boumalne Dades is paved, but soon enough, you'll be kicking up dust on a dirt road that throws sweeping curves and slippery gravel your way. Total focus is a MUST. And pro tip: while usually open, snow can shut this beauty down at any time, so check conditions before you go! The scenery? Absolutely epic. Get ready for views that'll blow your mind!