Tizi n'Amarskine
Morocco, africa
N/A
1,985 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Tizi-n-Amarskine Pass in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains is calling your name! Get ready to climb to 1,985 meters (that's 6,512 feet!) above sea level for views that will blow your mind.
Word of warning: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is gravel, super narrow, and seriously steep. Think hairpin turns for days as you slowly ascend. And did I mention the HUGE drops beside the road? Yeah, no guardrails here, folks. This baby is strictly 4x4 territory.
Seriously, though, check the weather before you go. This area can get hit with avalanches, heavy snow, landslides, and crazy high winds. But if you're prepared, the views are absolutely worth it. Picture this: endless vistas of the High Atlas, rugged terrain, and a feeling like you're on top of the world. Just be careful out there!
Where is it?
Tizi n'Amarskine is located in Morocco (africa). Coordinates: 31.8124, -7.3603
Road Details
- Country
- Morocco
- Continent
- africa
- Max Elevation
- 1,985 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 31.8124, -7.3603
Related Roads in africa
extremeTrans-Sahara Highway
🌍 Algeria
# The Trans-Sahara Highway: Africa's Ultimate Desert Drive Picture this: a 4,500-kilometer ribbon of road stretching across the world's largest hot desert, linking Algiers in Algeria all the way down to Lagos in Nigeria. The Trans-Sahara Highway isn't just any road—it follows the exact same routes that camel caravans have been using for centuries to haul gold, salt, and goods across this unforgiving landscape. While you'll find decent pavement in Algeria and Nigeria, the real adventure happens in the middle stretches of Niger, where many sections are barely holding together or completely unpaved. This is genuinely one of the planet's most epic overland challenges. Want to know where it gets *really* intense? The Tenere Desert in northern Niger—locals call it the "desert within a desert" for good reason. We're talking about temperatures that regularly hit 50 degrees Celsius and sandstorms that can wipe out visibility in seconds. As you cross Niger, you'll wind through the Air Mountains, and heading north through Algeria, the volcanic peaks of the Hoggar Mountains will have you speechless. There's even a tragic bit of Saharan lore here: the famous "Tree of Tenere," which once held the title of Earth's most isolated tree, used to stand along this route until a truck driver knocked it over in 1973. Seriously thinking about this drive? You'll need to prep like an expedition leader—stock up on enough fuel and water for days on end, travel in a convoy with other vehicles, and get clearance from local authorities. Fair warning though: political turmoil in the Sahel region has made parts of this route genuinely risky lately, and most Western governments have issued travel warnings for certain sections. That said, for experienced overlanders and adventurers, the Trans-Sahara Highway remains one of those legendary journeys everyone should attempt at least once.
hardWhere is Skeleton Coast?
🇳🇦 Namibia
Located along Namibia’s hauntingly barren Skeleton Coast, in the country’s northwest, the Skeleton Coast Road is one of the most stunning drives in the world. Where is Skeleton Coast? The road is tucked away in the Skeleton Coast National Park, in the northern part of the Atlantic coast of Namibia, between the coast and the central plains, near the Angola border, in southwest Africa. Why is the Skeleton Coast famous? The coast is famous all over the world for the many shipwrecks which litter its shoreline. Nicknamed the world’s largest ship cemetery, the reason for the wrecks is the thick fog that occurs there when the warm air from the desert meets the cold moist air coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. Further north is the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Can you drive to Skeleton Coast? The road, officially known as C34-D2302, is 437 km (271 miles) long. The surface of this road is sand and salt and runs south-north from the old German colonial town of Swakopmund to the tiny settlement of Terrace Bay. The road takes you through a desert area almost completely empty but for the occasional shipwreck embedded in the sand. The sense of being very close to the end of the world is overpowering. How remote is the road to Skeleton Coast? Along the drive, you’ll feel like you're on the edge of the world and surrounded by sand and very little else for miles and miles in all directions. Petrol stations are rare sightings along the road, so it is best to fill up with fuel whenever possible. The road, also known as the Skeleton Coast Freeway, is extremely lonely in a remote and little-visited place. Is the Skeleton Coast Road paved? The road along the coast is a "salt" road, which is smoother than an asphalt road and very nice to drive on. But when there is mist from the ocean, the road gets very slippery, a bit like black ice. The road comprises tarmac, gravel, sand, and even salt-paved. 4x4 vehicles only with sufficient spares and water. Is the Skeleton Coast Road dangerous? You are requested to drive, even in daylight, using your headlights to alert oncoming vehicles of your presence. The mirage effect along this coast is common. Following heavy mist, the salt road becomes very slippery. Please drive accordingly. In the unlikely event of it raining, you are advised not to make use of the road. There is little traction on the surface even for 4x4s. Salt and mud accumulate on the vehicle and are costly to remove. Driving on the road when it has been softened by rains will damage the surface even further, making it longer and more costly for the Roads Authority to repair the road to a serviceable condition. Do not attempt to drive across the salt pans, even in a 4X4. Although Namibia has used the metric system for over forty years, you will notice that all of the distance signs along the Skeleton Coast Road are marked in miles and not kilometers. Pic: Florian Habenicht Spreetshoogte Pass is one of the steepest (14%) roads in Namibia Van Zyl's Pass is the wildest 4x4 trip in Namibia 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.
extremeDriving Morocco: From the High Atlas Peaks to the Sahara Desert Gates
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco is road trip heaven! From the wild Atlantic coast to the spiky High Atlas Mountains and the dreamy Sahara dunes, this North African gem has scenery that'll blow your mind. Driving here is like stepping back to the 14th century, with ancient mountain tracks and legendary desert gateways at every turn. Headed south for a Sahara adventure? You'll probably find yourself on the N9 highway. This iconic road slices right through the mountains towards Ouarzazate, aka the "Gateway to the Sahara." But that's not all – Ouarzazate is also known as the "Hollywood of Morocco," thanks to the massive Atlas Film Studios. We're talking over 322,000 square feet of movie magic! Sure, Casablanca got its name on the map with that famous movie, but Ouarzazate is where modern epics like Gladiator, Star Wars, and Kingdom of Heaven were filmed. Driving through these desert sets, which are often open to explore, feels like time-traveling through different eras. Now, driving in Morocco is an adventure, but come prepared! While the main highways between cities like Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir are smooth sailing, those mountain passes in the High Atlas can get a little dicey. Expect sudden snowfalls in winter or flash floods in desert valleys (wadis) that can change road conditions in a heartbeat. Make sure your ride is ready for anything – from snowy mountain peaks to scorching desert heat!
hardHow to reach the summit of Tizi n’Merekse?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Off the beaten path in Morocco's Anti-Atlas mountains, you'll find the Tizi n’Merekse, a seriously high mountain pass topping out at well over 2,300 meters. It's not a long trip, but it packs a visual punch with some of the most incredible, untouched views of the Anti-Atlas you can find, far away from the usual tourist hotspots. To get there, you'll be tackling the Ait Qalla Track, a rugged, unpaved mountain trail that's going to demand a 4x4 with some serious ground clearance. Think classic Moroccan high desert: loose gravel, that iconic red dust, and sharp stones just waiting to get cozy with your tires. This is a short but harsh and isolated environment, so you need to be self-sufficient and ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way. The adventure starts at the Tizi n'Tmourhas, which is already a pretty wild ride on the R112 road. The R112 will test your skills, but the Ait Qalla Track is where the real fun begins. From that main road, it's a quick climb, but don't let the short distance fool you. Expect some seriously steep sections where your engine is going to be working hard. The air is thin up here, and the loose surface means you'll need to engage 4WD to keep from spinning your wheels. This area is super dry and exposed, and in the summer, the heat is intense with zero shade along the track. You won't see many other vehicles out here, so if something goes wrong, you could be waiting a while for help. Before you hit the Ait Qalla Track, make sure your vehicle is in top shape and you've got plenty of water. The reward for this climb? Unreal panoramic views of the scorched valleys below, giving you a perspective of the Anti-Atlas that most travelers never get to experience. It's the perfect little side trip if you're already exploring the R112 and want to add another high-altitude pass to your Moroccan adventure.