The “Golden Window”: Timing Your Departure

Here’s the secret that separates travelers who have a smooth crossing from those who spend 6+ hours grinding through traffic: departure time from Marrakech is everything. This single decision — when you leave your riad or hotel — has more impact on your Tichka experience than the type of car you rent or how skilled a driver you are.

The Early Bird Strategy

The optimal departure window from Marrakech is between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. Yes, that’s early. Yes, it means skipping the leisurely breakfast at your accommodation. But here’s what you gain: you’ll pass through the most congested sections of the pass before the big tour buses leave Marrakech (most don’t depart until 8:30-9:00 AM), and you’ll reach the summit and start descending before the heavy freight trucks begin their slow ascent from the Ouarzazate side.

An early start also gives you the best light for photography. The morning sun hitting the Atlas peaks is stunning, and the air is clearer before midday haze settles in. More practically, it means you’ll arrive in Ouarzazate or Aït Benhaddou by late morning or early afternoon, giving you the rest of the day to explore rather than arriving exhausted in the late afternoon with no energy left.

If 7:00 AM is impossible for whatever reason, the next best window is 1:00 to 2:00 PM. This puts you past the morning tour bus rush and gets you through the pass before late afternoon. But be aware: this timing is riskier because if anything delays you (construction stops, slow trucks, photo breaks), you risk being on the mountain as the sun sets, which brings us to the next point.

The Afternoon Trap

Arriving at the Tizi n’Tichka summit around sunset sounds romantic in theory. In practice, it’s a situation you want to avoid. Here’s why: as the day cools, fog and low clouds can roll in quickly, especially in winter and spring. Visibility drops from kilometers to meters in minutes. The temperature can plummet 10-15 degrees Celsius in an hour once the sun dips below the peaks.

Add driver fatigue to the mix — if you’ve been navigating switchbacks for 2+ hours already — and you have a recipe for a stressful, potentially dangerous situation. Night driving on Tichka is challenging even for locals. The road lighting is minimal to nonexistent, and the white lane markings on the pavement are often worn away. Oncoming trucks use their high beams aggressively, and the risk of encountering livestock or broken-down vehicles on the road increases after dark.

Bottom line: plan your departure from Marrakech so you complete the entire Tichka crossing in daylight, ideally finishing by 4:00 PM at the latest. If you’re driving in Morocco for the first time, this isn’t optional advice — it’s essential for your safety and peace of mind.

The Marrakech to Ouarzazate road conditions in 2026

As of early 2026, the most significant construction activity is concentrated on the northern approach to the summit, roughly between the 80 km and 110 km markers (if measuring from Marrakech). This is where you’ll find the steepest grades and the tightest switchbacks, which is precisely where the road needs the most reinforcement.

The good news: the construction has actually improved many sections compared to five or ten years ago. New guardrails have been installed, several blind curves have been widened, and some of the worst potholes have been permanently fixed. The bad news: you still need to stay alert for sudden changes in road surface, unmarked construction vehicles, and workers on the road.

Patience vs. Strategy: Overtaking Slow Trucks

You will get stuck behind overloaded trucks grinding uphill at 20 km/h. This is guaranteed. These trucks — often carrying goods from the ports of Casablanca or Agadir down to southern Morocco and beyond — are maxing out their engines just to maintain forward momentum on the steep grades.

The temptation is to overtake aggressively. Resist this urge unless you have a long, clear sightline ahead. The switchbacks on Tichka are deceptive — what looks like a straight stretch often has a hidden curve 200 meters ahead where an oncoming vehicle could suddenly appear. Moroccan truck drivers are used to this road, and they’ll often wave you past when it’s safe. Watch for their hand signals out the window.

Here’s the strategy: be patient for the first half of the climb. As you gain elevation and the road opens up slightly in certain sections, you’ll find safer passing opportunities. The stretch between the summit and the beginning of the descent toward Ouarzazate is where overtaking is easiest — the road straightens out a bit, and visibility improves.

If you’re in a rental car, remember that most compact cars and even some SUVs will struggle with power at higher altitudes. Don’t assume you can quickly zip around a truck. Acceleration is sluggish at 2,000+ meters, especially if your car is fully loaded with passengers and luggage.

Weather Logistics: Snow and Heat

The weather on Tizi n’Tichka can shift dramatically depending on the season, and unlike other challenges on this road, weather is something you need to plan for in advance. You can’t just “wing it” when it comes to winter snow or summer heat — both can stop you in your tracks if you’re unprepared.

Winter (November – March): The Snow Barrier

Between late November and early March, snow at the summit of Tizi n’Tichka is a real possibility. Some years see heavy snowfall that closes the pass for hours or even days. When this happens, the authorities set up “barrières de neige” (snow barriers) — physical roadblocks at both the Marrakech and Ouarzazate approaches that prevent vehicles from entering until the road is cleared.

If you’re traveling in winter, check the weather forecast for the High Atlas Mountains before you depart. A good resource is the local news or asking at your hotel. If snow is predicted, you have two choices: delay your crossing by a day, or accept that you might get turned back at the barrier and need to return to Marrakech.

For those attempting a winter crossing, here’s the tactical advice: chains. If you’re renting a car, ask specifically if snow chains are included. Many rental agencies in Morocco don’t automatically provide them, and if you get stopped at a snow barrier without chains, you won’t be allowed through even if the road is technically open. The Gendarmerie enforces this strictly for safety reasons.

Winter crossings also mean colder temperatures at the summit — often below freezing even when Marrakech is a comfortable 15-20°C. Pack warm layers in the car, especially if you’re traveling with children. The temperature difference between the Marrakech valley and the Tichka summit can be 20°C or more.

Summer (June – August): Engine Heat and Cooling Systems

Summer brings the opposite problem: heat. While the summit of Tichka stays relatively cool even in July and August, the long, steep climbs put enormous strain on your vehicle’s engine and cooling system. This is especially true for smaller rental cars that aren’t designed for sustained uphill driving in 35-40°C heat.

Here’s a tip that will save you from an overheated engine: turn off the air conditioning during the steepest sections of the climb. Yes, it’ll get warm in the car, but the A/C system draws significant power from the engine, and on a steep grade at slow speed, that extra load can push the engine temperature into the red zone.

Watch your temperature gauge. If it starts climbing toward the hot end, pull over at the next safe spot, turn off the engine, and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Don’t open the radiator cap — just wait. Better to lose 15 minutes than to blow a head gasket in the middle of nowhere.

The descent toward Ouarzazate is equally important for your brakes. Use engine braking (downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear) rather than riding the brake pedal constantly. Overheated brakes lose effectiveness, and on some of the steeper descents, brake fade is a genuine concern.

You’ll want to stop for photos — the views are genuinely spectacular — but not every viewpoint is worth a 20-minute stop. Here are the best strategic stops that serve dual purposes: stretch legs, combat car sickness, and capture the scenery.

• Summit marker (2,260m): Obviously worth a quick stop. There’s a paved pullout, souvenir vendors, and bathrooms (basic but functional).
• Taddert village: About 30 km from Marrakech, this is a good first stop to check how everyone is feeling before the serious climbing begins.
• The “big curve” overlook: Around the 95 km marker, there’s a dramatic pullout overlooking multiple switchbacks below. This is Instagram gold, but also a good place for a 10-minute break.

Keep stops short — 10 to 15 minutes maximum — unless you’re having lunch. Every time you stop, you’re adding time to the crossing, and remember, you want to finish before dark. The goal is to balance passenger comfort with forward progress.

The Alternative: The Telouet Route (P1506)

Not everyone wants to take the fastest route. Some travelers deliberately seek out the less-traveled road, and for those folks, there’s an alternative: the Telouet route via the P1506.

This road branches off from the main N9 about 20 km before the Tichka summit and winds through the village of Telouet, home to the crumbling but fascinating Glaoui Kasbah. From Telouet, the road continues south to reconnect with the main route near Aït Benhaddou. It’s narrower, more remote, and significantly less trafficked than the N9.

The trade-off: you gain scenic beauty and cultural authenticity, but you lose time and road quality. The Telouet route adds roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to your journey, and the road surface is rougher — expect gravel sections and potholes. It’s also narrower, meaning passing vehicles requires more care.

When does the Telouet route make sense? If you have extra time in your Morocco road trip itinerary and you want to visit the Glaoui Kasbah, it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re on a tight schedule or uncomfortable with more challenging driving conditions, stick to the N9.

A good compromise: take the N9 on your way south (faster, easier), and consider the Telouet route on your return north to Marrakech if you want variety and have already “conquered” Tichka once.