The route at a glance
| Stage | Road | Driving time | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech to Ouarzazate | 4 to 5 hours, with stops | The High Atlas, the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Aït Benhaddou |
| 2 | Ouarzazate to the Dades Valley | 3 to 4 hours | The palm groves and kasbahs of Skoura, the Rose Valley, the red rock of the Dades |
| 3 | Dades to Merzouga | 4 to 5 hours | The Todra Gorge, Tinghir, the long road east to the dunes |
Driving times are from our own trips and include short stops. They do not include long visits or lunch.
Stage 1: over the High Atlas
The road leaves Marrakech on the N9 and climbs into the High Atlas through Berber villages and walnut trees. The highest point is the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at about 2,200 metres, with wide views back over the range. In winter the pass can close for a few hours after snow, which is why we keep the first day short (more on the seasons in the best time to visit Morocco).
On the far side the landscape turns red and dry. The detour to Aït Benhaddou is worth every minute: an earth-built ksar on a hillside above the Ounila river, and a UNESCO World Heritage site (opens in a new tab) you may recognise from films. The night is spent in Ouarzazate.
Stage 2: the road of a thousand kasbahs
East of Ouarzazate the road runs along a line of oases. Skoura's palm groves are full of old kasbahs, some of them still lived in. The Rose Valley around Kelaat M'Gouna is famous for its May harvest. Then the Dades Valley opens up, with red rock formations and villages built into the slopes. It is a short driving day with plenty of time to walk.
6 days · from MarrakechKasbahs, Gorges and the Rose ValleySee the routeStage 3: the Todra Gorge and the dunes
The Todra Gorge is a narrow canyon near Tinghir, with walls rising straight up on both sides and a stream along the bottom. A walk through the narrowest part takes about half an hour. After the gorge the road heads east across open desert, and late in the afternoon the orange line of Erg Chebbi appears on the horizon.
At Merzouga the car stops and the camels take over for the ride out to a camp in the erg, where you spend the night under the stars.
7 days · from MarrakechSahara Loop via MerzougaSee the routeComing back a different way
Driving back the same road works, but the return can be just as good as the way out. Our seven-day loop heads west through Alnif and Nkob along old caravan routes, then into the Draa Valley and its palm groves at Agdz, before crossing the Atlas back to Marrakech. You see twice as much for the same number of days.
Can you do it in one day?
You can, but you shouldn't. Eight to ten hours of driving, with a mountain pass in the middle, leaves no time for Aït Benhaddou, the Dades or the gorge, which are half the reason to make the journey. If time is short, Zagora is a closer desert, about 360 km from Marrakech: our guide to Merzouga or Zagora helps you choose.
Questions
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
About 560 km, or eight to ten hours of driving without stops. Most trips split it into two or three days, sleeping in Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley.
What is the best route from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Over the High Atlas on the N9 through the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate, then east through Skoura, the Dades Valley, Tinghir and the Todra Gorge to Erfoud and Merzouga.
Is the road from Marrakech to Merzouga safe?
The main roads are paved and in good condition. The mountain section has many bends, and snow can close the Tizi n'Tichka pass for a few hours in winter. A driver who knows the road makes it relaxed.
Where should I stop between Marrakech and Merzouga?
Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge are the classic stops. Two nights on the way, in Ouarzazate and the Dades, keep every driving day under five hours.
