Travel guide to the top of Moltkeblick

Travel guide to the top of Moltkeblick

Namibia, africa

Length

17 km

Elevation

2,462 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Moltkeblick, also known as Mount Auas, in the heart of Namibia's Khomas region, is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking about a rugged, unpaved track that winds its way to a staggering 2,462m (8,077ft) above sea level — one of the highest roads you'll find in Namibia!

Forget your sedans, a trusty 4x4 is your only ticket to ride here. The climb kicks off near Windhoek, Namibia's capital, and stretches for 17 km (10.5 miles), gaining a whopping 854 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 5.02%, but don't let that fool you — some sections hit a crazy 23% incline!

You'll be bumping along a dry riverbed, so keep an eye out for loose rocks and tricky terrain. The summit itself is topped with communication towers, but the real reward is the views. Trust me, the panoramic vistas from the top are worth every bump and grind. Just be prepared for a seriously steep climb!

Where is it?

Travel guide to the top of Moltkeblick is located in Namibia (africa). Coordinates: -21.4680, 19.1429

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Namibia
Continent
africa
Length
17 km
Max Elevation
2,462 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-21.4680, 19.1429

Related Roads in africa

Travel guide to Oukaïmeden Observatorymoderate

Travel guide to Oukaïmeden Observatory

🇲🇦 Morocco

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region of Morocco, practically in the shadow of Jebel Toubkal, lies the Oukaïmeden Observatory road. We're talking seriously high altitude here – 2,764 meters (that's 9,068 feet!). This makes it one of the highest roads you'll find in Morocco. Tucked away in the High Atlas Mountains, the paved road to the top is a real rollercoaster – super steep and packed with hairpin turns. It's generally open year-round, but be warned: winter weather can shut it down temporarily. The summit is home to an astronomical observatory, a radar dome, and some comms gear. And the views? Forget about it! Looking north towards Marrakech is simply stunning. Starting from the Oukaïmeden ski resort, the climb is only 2.2 kilometers, but don't let that fool you. You'll gain 140 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 6.36% and ramps hitting a punishing 15% in places. Get ready for a serious workout for both you and your car!

Why is Erta Ale volcano famous?extreme

Why is Erta Ale volcano famous?

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up, because the road to Ethiopia's Erta Ale volcano in the Afar Region is not for the faint of heart! We're talking serious off-roading through some of the most brutal landscapes on the planet. Erta Ale, a 613-meter (2,011 ft) basaltic shield volcano, is known as the "Smoking Mountain" and the "Gateway to Hell" for a reason. It's in the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest, driest, and lowest spots on Earth, and this bad boy has been erupting pretty much non-stop since '67! The 80 km (49.70 miles) stretch from Afdera to Erta Ale will take you around 6 hours of bouncing and bumping along completely unpaved tracks of sand and jagged lava rock, often with dust swirling everywhere. The landscape is a mix of solidified lava flows, rocks, and sand, with the occasional mind-blowing oasis popping up. You can get within about 4.3 miles of the volcano itself. Now, for the reality check: this region is no walk in the park. Think scorching temperatures (77°F to 118°F), plus the need to hire armed guards or police due to political instability in the area. You'll be driving through areas known for landmines, terrorism, malaria, the risk of kidnapping and banditry, and even armed attacks. A German tourist was even fatally shot near the volcano back in 2017. So, yeah, extreme caution is the name of the game here. It's an experience that will test your limits, but the views? Unforgettable.

Tizi n’Merzidhihard

Tizi n’Merzidhi

🇲🇦 Morocco

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Tizi n’Merzidhi is calling, and it's a wild ride you won't forget. We're talking a high-altitude pass soaring to 2,770m (9,087ft) in Morocco’s Khénifra province, right between the Middle and High Atlas ranges. Seriously, this is one of the highest roads in the whole country! Now, here's the deal: this isn’t your average Sunday drive. The road is gravel, rugged, and remote. If unpaved roads aren't your jam, maybe sit this one out. A 4x4 isn’t just recommended; it's essential. Think menacing desert vibes with steep, rocky climbs. Large, sharp rocks are everywhere, so you’ll need some serious skills. We’re talking high clearance, skid plates, and differential lockers. Stock vehicles need not apply. Heads up: getting lost is easy. The roads are poorly defined, and even a GPS can struggle. Plus, you’re pretty much on your own out there, with hardly any traffic, limited cell service, and blazing hot summer temperatures. Pack plenty of water, and whatever you do, don’t go it alone. Basically, be prepared for an epic, challenging, and totally rewarding off-road adventure!

Travel Guide to Sossusvleimoderate

Travel Guide to Sossusvlei

🇳🇦 Namibia

Okay, picture this: Namibia, southern Namib-Naukluft National Park, dunes for days. We're talking Sossusvlei, a massive salt pan surrounded by some seriously impressive red dunes. This place is a photographer's dream! The road in starts from Sesriem, a tiny village nestled at the bottom of the Naukluft Mountains. Get ready for a straight shot – 66.5 km of flat, open road that seems to stretch on forever. I've heard whispers that the roads here can be a bit wild, Namibia's reputation for road accidents perhaps makes them a little more precarious than most, but most of it is easily doable in a regular car. Heads up, though! The last 5 km are sandy, so you'll need a 4x4 to make it through. The road was paved way back in the early 2000s. And a pro tip: It's the desert, so bring plenty of water! Seriously, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Now get out there and explore some of the tallest dunes in the world – some towering as high as 400 meters! The desert scenery is absolutely unreal.