Marrakech to Chefchaouen

Fourteen days from the red city to the blue one. A road that cuts through the Atlas, drops into the Sahara, and climbs back out through cedar forest.

LOADING COORDINATES...

🇲🇦🏔️🐪🌅🔵05.04.2025 – 18.04.2025

05.04.2025Marrakech. Arrived in the afternoon. The Djemaa el Fna was already loud and orange. Sat at a terrace until midnight and did not move.

05.04.2025

07.04.2025Atlas Mountains. Hired a driver for the Tizi n Tichka pass. Snow on the peaks in April. The road drops so fast your ears need to adjust.

07.04.2025

08.04.2025Ouarzazate. Film studios at the edge of the desert. Kasbah Taourirt in the afternoon. Quieter than expected.

08.04.2025

10.04.2025Merzouga. Rode a camel to the dunes at 4.30pm. Watched the colour of the sand change six times before the sun was gone.

10.04.2025

11.04.2025Merzouga. Slept in a camp at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Woke to silence that had weight to it.

11.04.2025

13.04.2025Fes. The medina hit like walking into another century. Got lost twice with a map, found the tanneries by smell.

13.04.2025

16.04.2025Chefchaouen. Every wall blue and white and the light doing something different to both. Bought nothing. Needed nothing.

16.04.2025

18.04.2025Departure. Left from Tangier. Already thinking about going back.

18.04.2025

Duration

14 days

Route

Marrakech → Atlas → Sahara → Fes → Chefchaouen

Elevation crossed

2,260 m via Tizi n Tichka

Budget

~€90 per day

MOMENT

April 11, 2025

Erg Chebbi, Merzouga

"
The medina does not have a shortcut. That is not a flaw. It is the design.
"
Overheard · riad courtyard · Fes

The Tizi n Tichka road is passable year-round but snow can close it January to March. April is ideal.

Chefchaouen is small. One full day covers every street. Come on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid weekend crowds from Tangier.