Tizi n'Tichka

Tizi n'Tichka is a mountain pass in Morocco, linking the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazate through the High Atlas mountains. It lies above the great Marrakesh plains, and is a gateway to the Sahara.

Climate and elevation

From November through March, snow can often fall on the pass, but it can be warm all year round in the strong sun. It has been believed for a long time that it reaches an elevation of above the sea level, but a gps-measurement by Hans Mülder on 30 November 2022 indicated it is only high, which was confirmed by Google Earth, on which the highest altitude of the pass is. It is the highest major mountain pass in North Africa. The road was constructed along the old caravan trail by the French military in 1936, and is now part of National Route 9.

Fauna

The last known wild Barbary lion in Morocco was shot near Tizi n'Tichka in 1942.