What is a Kasbah?
Morocco, africa
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easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Morocco, the High Atlas Mountains, and a road trip of a lifetime! We're talking about the legendary Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, one of the country’s absolute must-dos. It’s a wild ride through the stunning High Atlas range and into Berber country, where you'll see how the locals live.
So, what's a "Kasbah?" Think traditional fortress, built by local bigwigs to show off their power and wealth. These aren't your average houses – we're talking high walls, crenellated towers, the works! The contrast is mind-blowing: stark, rugged mountains meeting lush green valleys, all dotted with these incredible mud-brick kasbahs.
This road winds through desert landscapes, past traditional villages, and beside amazing monuments. The route runs through the Dadès Valley in southeastern Morocco, linking Ouarzazate to Tinghir. Most of the road is paved, so it’s not too crazy, but still feels like a real adventure. Bring your camera, because you'll want to remember this.
When to go? Autumn (September to November) is prime time. The weather’s amazing, not too hot, and perfect for exploring the desert landscapes. Trust me, you don't want to be stuck here in the summer heat.
Related Roads in africa
extremeWhy 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.
hardCan I drive through Ziz Gorges?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Gorges du Ziz is a very scenic canyon carved by the River Ziz located in the Errachidia Province of the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco. Can I drive through Ziz Gorges? Tucked away in the Eastern High Atlas, the road through the gorges is fully paved yet challenging, with countless turns and hairpin turns. It’s called National Route Number 13 (N13). The road is surrounded by cliffs and is both mountainous and winding. When driving a Unimog, the road feels very narrow. Bus drivers often take up much of the road, overtaking on blind bends and steep inclines, so you’ll need to stay alert. How long is the road through Ziz Gorges? The road is 55.4 km (34.42 miles) long, running south-north from Errachidia to Kerrandou. The most iconic part of the drive runs from the Legionnaire’s Tunnel (built by French colonial troops in the 1930s to create a passageway to the Ziz Valley) to the dam of Barrage Al-Hassan Addakhil, an artificial lake. Is the road through Ziz Gorges worth it? The drive offers stunning views of a spectacular and dramatic scenery on the upper course of the Ziz River. There are a couple of viewpoints and picnic spots along the route. How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Tizi Tigherrouzine R703 is a scenic road in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco 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.
moderateWhere is Tizi n'Tinififft?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi-n-Tinififft is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,693 m (5,554 ft) above sea level, located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco. Where is Tizi n'Tinififft? The pass is located in the mid-southeastern part of the country, in the Atlas Mountains. When was the road through Tizi n'Tinififft built? The road was built as a military highway in 1936 by the French. Along the road, there are many parking lots featuring stunning views. Is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft paved? The road to the summit is fully paved. It’s called Route Nationale 9 (formerly Route P-31). Definitely more interesting than the pass itself is the descent through a few twists over the canyon and through small oases in the direction of the town of Agdz. How long is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft? The pass is 24.9 km (15.47 miles) long, running from Agdz (also spelled Agdez) to Ait Saoun. Is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft difficult? The road features steep sections, reaching a maximum gradient of 7% in some areas. It has recently been rebuilt with bends being cut through and is now much faster, wider, and straighter, as part of significant road improvements to the N9 from Marrakech to Zagora. Road suggested by: Martin Dady Col de Timicha is a classic road trip in the High Atlas An epic enthralling road to Tizi-n-Tazazert 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.
extremeA sensational road to Barkly Pass in the Eastern Cape
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Barkly Pass! Perched high in the Eastern Cape highlands of South Africa, this beauty clocks in at 2,018m (6,620ft) above sea level. Named after a bigwig colonial governor from way back when, it's steeped in history. The R58, as it's known, is paved, so no 4x4 needed! But don't get complacent - those gradients are STEEP and the curves are seriously sharp. Keep an eye on your speed, and you'll be fine. Stretching 62 km (38 miles) from Elliot (Khowa) to Barkly East, this pass is a proper climb. You'll gain a whopping 626 meters in just 12 km, after leaving Elliot at 1,473 meters above sea level. Think hairpin bends galore before you reach that summit! Nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains, be warned: winter here means SNOW. Like, serious snow that can shut things down. Cold weather + ice = a recipe for disaster, so take it slow. Expect closures when the first snow hits, especially between Barkly East and Elliot. But hey, the views are worth it!