Where is Col de Tirourda?

Where is Col de Tirourda?

Algeria, africa

Length

27.5 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Ever heard of Col de Tirourda? This beauty straddles the Bouïra and Tizi Ouzou provinces in northern Algeria, and let me tell you, it's a stunner!

Clocking in at around 27.5 km (that's about 17 miles for my American friends), this road takes you on a wild ride from a town nestled in Tizi Ouzou Province to another in Bouïra Province.

The road is fully paved, which is a bonus. But don't get too comfy! This climb is seriously steep in sections.

Prepare for some epic views. Just keep your eyes on the road!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Algeria
Continent
africa
Length
27.5 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in africa

The beautiful precipice road to Serra da Lebaextreme

The beautiful precipice road to Serra da Leba

🌍 Angola

# Serra da Leba: Angola's Legendary Mountain Pass Perched on the border between Huíla and Namibe provinces in southwestern Angola, about 20 miles west of Lubango, Serra da Leba is one of the world's most famous hairpin-laden mountain roads. The fully paved EN280 (Estrada Nacional 280) has quite the origin story—legend says a Portuguese woman designed and built the road, only to pass away the very day it was completed after viewing her masterpiece. Built during Angola's colonial era starting in the late 1960s and officially opened in the 1970s, this engineering marvel still turns heads today. The most intense stretch runs 29.7km from Renato Grade to Leba, where the real drama unfolds. You'll spiral down from the high plateau at 1,845 meters to nearly sea level in just over 10 kilometers—essentially dropping through 3-4 completely different climate zones in one drive. Some sections hit a stomach-churning 34% gradient, and the lack of guardrails combined with rainy or dark conditions makes this road genuinely treacherous. Locals call it "the beautiful precipice," and it's earned that nickname through decades as a national landmark and, unfortunately, the site of numerous accidents. But it's absolutely worth experiencing. The scenery is stunning, so plan to stop and soak it in rather than just barrel through. Head to the communication masts at the top (turn left past the toll station) for an incredible viewpoint where you can watch the steepest sections plunge into the lush green below. There's even a small bar nearby if you need to steady your nerves after the drive down.

How long is Tizi n'Test?extreme

How long is Tizi n'Test?

🇲🇦 Morocco

Okay, buckle up, because the Tizi n'Test pass in Morocco is a RIDE. You'll find this insane stretch of road straddling the Marrakesh-Safi and Souss-Massa-Drâa regions. This beauty clocks in at about 48 km, running from Tafingoult up to Mouldikht. Built way back in the day (think 1920s-1930s) by the French, this road, known as Tizi n’Test Road (R203), was a game-changer, linking Marrakech with the Souss plains and the Sahara. The drive itself? About 75-90 minutes, give or take, depending on how many times you stop at those little cafes along the way. Now, let's talk real talk: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. If you get queasy looking down, maybe sit this one out. The road's narrow, like one-car-only narrow in spots, and those 500m cliffs are VERY real, with no guardrails. Plus, you're sharing the road with speedy taxis, buses, and lorries, not to mention locals selling their wares right on the corners. The 1,600m descent to Taroudannt? Intense. BUT, if you're an experienced driver and up for the challenge, the views are unreal. Think sweeping mountain vistas that will take your breath away. At the summit, snag a seat at the little restaurant for panoramic views of the Souss Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Maybe grab an egg tagine – fuel for the journey, right? Word to the wise: skip this one if it's raining (landslides are a thing), or if there's snow. And heads up, it can get seriously cloudy up there. Despite the hairpin turns and the occasional dodgy moment, it's a memory you won't forget.

Travelling through the steep A2 Road from Alamata to Koremhard

Travelling through the steep A2 Road from Alamata to Korem

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Okay, fellow adventurers, buckle up for an epic ride on Route 2 in Ethiopia! Specifically, I'm talking about the section between Alamata and Korem, nestled in the Tigray Region. This isn't your average highway cruise; it's a full-on mountain ascent that'll get your adrenaline pumping! Starting in Alamata (at a comfy 1,520 meters above sea level), you'll be heading north toward Korem, perched way up high at 2,539 meters. Get ready for some serious climbing because this paved road boasts gradients of up to 12%! This section of Route 2 is just under 32 km (or about 20 miles), but it packs a punch with around 30 hairpin turns. As you wind your way up, you'll be treated to insane views as the lowlands give way to the majestic Ethiopian highlands. In total, you’ll gain over 1,000 meters in elevation, so prepare for a climb.

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the D3703 roadextreme

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the D3703 road

🇳🇦 Namibia

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the D3703 in Namibia's Kunene Region! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a serious 4x4 challenge, a whopping 195 km (121 miles) of pure, unadulterated, unpaved road running from Okanguati to Opuwo. Forget smooth sailing, this track is rough, rocky, and demands respect. It’s also one of Namibia's highest roads, peaking at 1,488m (4,881ft)! If you’re new to 4x4, maybe skip this one, but if you've got some off-road experience and a taste for the wild, the D3703 delivers. Trust me, the scenery is worth it. This area is bursting with crazy cool plants and untouched landscapes. This extreme road is rarely travelled, so prepare for some serious solitude as you journey through this spectacular part of Namibia.