A road with dramatic views to Cirque de Jaffar in the High Atlas
Morocco, africa
67.2 km
2,257 m
extreme
Year-round
# Cirque de Jaffar: Morocco's Wild Mountain Adventure
Nestled in the Drâa-Tafilalet region at the foothills of Jebel Ayachi in the Eastern High Atlas, Cirque de Jaffar is a natural amphitheatre that'll take your breath away—quite literally. This is Morocco's ultimate off-road playground, and it's definitely earned its reputation as one of the country's most challenging drives.
The Piste de Jaffar stretches 67.2 km (42 miles) from Tounfit to Midelt, and trust me, every kilometer is an adventure. This is a serious unpaved road that demands respect—we're talking rocky, treacherous terrain with dramatic cliff drops that'll keep your knuckles white. You'll need a proper 4x4 to tackle it, though even then, expect a solid 3-4 hours of slow, careful driving to make it through.
What makes this route truly spectacular is the payoff. Those towering High Atlas mountains create stunning panoramic views that justify every nerve-wracking moment. And then you arrive at the cirque itself—a natural wonder with slopes that vary from a mellow 20 degrees to spine-tingling 45-50 degree angles where rockfall constantly reshapes the landscape.
The road peaks at 2,257m (7,404ft) elevation. Winter brings snow to these heights, and spring runoff can trigger flash flooding in the valleys, so summer is definitely your best bet for this expedition. The route is named after the village and tomb of Sidi Jaffar, adding a touch of local history to your wild ride.
This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's one of the classic pistes of the Eastern High Atlas, demanding serious driving skills and nerves of steel. But for adventurous souls ready for an unforgettable experience, it's absolutely worth every pothole.
Where is it?
A road with dramatic views to Cirque de Jaffar in the High Atlas is located in Morocco (africa). Coordinates: 32.2742, -7.6114
Road Details
- Country
- Morocco
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 67.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,257 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 32.2742, -7.6114
Related Roads in africa
hardDriving to the Summit of Mount Tullu Dimtu: One of Africa’s Highest Roads
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
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!
extremeDriving the technical gravel road to Groot Zuikerboschkop Pass in Mpumalanga
🇿🇦 South Africa
Groot Zuikerboschkop Pass: buckle up for a wild ride in Mpumalanga, South Africa! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a full-on off-road adventure sitting pretty at 2,102m (6,896ft) above sea level, near Dullstroom. Think high-altitude grasslands, dramatic scenery, and weather that keeps you on your toes. This 12.6 km (7.8 miles) gravel track kicks off from the R540, but don't expect smooth sailing. We're talking seriously rugged conditions here. Low-clearance vehicles need not apply – even 4x4s will be put to the test. Imagine loose stones, deep ruts carving their way through the landscape, and inclines that'll make your engine roar. Speaking of inclines, some sections hit a steep 1:6 gradient (around 16.6%)! Pair that with the uneven surface, and you'll need your A-game when it comes to gear selection. Potholes the size of small craters are lurking, ready to wreak havoc on your tires or alignment. Seriously, stay focused! The weather can be a real game-changer. Rain turns the gravel into a slippery mess, challenging even the best 4x4 systems. Plus, being up high means visibility can vanish in a blink due to low clouds and mist. Being in the back country of Mpumalanga means you're on your own. Double-check that spare tire, pack your essential tools, and be ready to handle minor repairs yourself – help isn't exactly around the corner. It's a high-risk, high-reward kind of route that demands respect and careful driving.
moderateDriving the difficult road to Tizi n'Tichka in the Atlas
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi n'Tichka Pass in Morocco: get ready for a wild ride! This mountain pass sits way up high at 2,212m (7,257ft). Its Berber name translates to "difficult mountain pasture," and trust me, it lives up to the name! Snaking between Marrakesh-Safi and Drâa-Tafilalet regions, it’s your gateway from the bustling Marrakech Plains to the vast Sahara Desert, right in the heart of the High Atlas mountains. The road, also called Col du Tichka or Tizi n’Aguelmous, is fully paved and known as Route Nationale 9 (formerly Route P-31). It's 54km (33 miles) long, stretching north-south from Zerkten to Agouim. Built as a military road back in 1936 by the French, today it’s the main artery connecting Marrakesh to Ouarzazate. Usually open year-round, keep an eye on the weather from November to March – snow can cause closures. But be ready for strong sunshine all year! The road itself is decent but winding, with over 100 turns, and at times, you might not want to look down! They say it's one of the most dramatic drives in the country. Some sections are freshly paved, while others are... well, let's just say they add character! Expect some wind, but you can totally tackle it in a 2WD. Heads up: it can get crowded, so hit it early if you're heading south. And it’s not just tourists – watch out for the trucks! But the views? Absolutely stunning! Jaw-dropping vistas of the Atlas Mountains await around every hairpin turn. From the summit, you'll be blown away by the surrounding landscape. As you descend towards Ouarzazate, prepare to be mesmerized by the pre-Sahara region and the majestic Atlas peaks. This pass leads from the plains surrounding Marrakech, and the beauty continues past the pass, where snow can often block the road in winter, past stunning kasbahs (medieval fortresses) down to Ouarzazate, your entry to the Draa Valley and the Sahara. The views, villages and time spent on Tizi n’Tichka will be unique. Don't miss Kasbah Aït Benhaddou near the pass – a famous filming location and Morocco's best-preserved kasbah. And at the summit, you can even pick up some cool minerals at the shops.
moderateA5 road
🇱🇸 Lesotho
A5 road is a very scenic journey in Lesotho. Climbing up to 2.756m (9,041ft) above the sea level, it’s one of the highest roads of the country. The road was recently paved. It’s steep with countless turns. Driving at night, or in poor visibility, is not recommended for drivers unfamiliar with the road. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. It’s 142 km long and links the A4 road (near Seforong in the Quthing District) and the A3 road (near Roma in the Maseru District). Open to traffic throughout the year. May be closed for short periods in winter when the weather is bad. Pic: Graham Maclachlan 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.