Tizi n’Test Road from Marrakech: Ouirgane, Ijoukak and Tinmel

The Tizi n’Test road runs south from Marrakech across the High Atlas to the Souss plain and Taroudant. It passes Asni, Ouirgane, Ijoukak and the village of Tinmel before climbing to the Tizi n’Test pass at about 2,100 metres. The pass is about 140 km from Marrakech, and the drive takes about 3 hours without stops. Taroudant is about 225 km from Marrakech by this road, or about 5 hours of driving.

This guide sets out the distances, drive times and road conditions, and explains what to expect at each stop. It also covers the Tinmel Mosque, which was badly damaged in the earthquake of 8 September 2023.

Which road goes from Marrakech to the Tizi n’Test pass?

The Tizi n’Test road is today part of the N7 national road. Older maps and many guides still call it the R203.

The mountain section was built between 1926 and 1932. It links Marrakech with the Souss plain and Taroudant across the western High Atlas.

Leaving Marrakech, the road crosses the Haouz plain to Tahanaout and enters the mountains at Asni. Asni is also the turning point for Imlil, the trailhead village below Mount Toubkal. If your main interest is the Toubkal valley rather than the long pass, an Imlil day trip from Marrakech uses the same first hour of road and makes a shorter day.

After Asni, the N7 follows the valley of the Nfis river south-west through Ouirgane, Ijoukak and Talat N’Yaaqoub. Beyond Tinmel it leaves the valley floor and climbs in tight bends to the pass. On the far side it descends about 1,600 metres to the Souss plain, where the road continues to Taroudant.

How far is each stop from Marrakech, and how long does it take?

The figures below are approximate road distances from central Marrakech, with typical driving times without stops. Mountain driving is slow, so plan extra time for photo stops, roadworks and traffic in the villages.

Tinmel is about 8 km beyond Ijoukak. The pass is a little over 30 km beyond Tinmel.

What is Ouirgane?

Ouirgane is a village and rural commune in the Nfis valley, about 60 to 65 km south of Marrakech. It sits at just under 1,000 metres above sea level.

Ouirgane lies on the eastern shore of the reservoir of the Yacoub El Mansour dam on the Nfis river. The dam was completed in 2008 and supplies water to the Marrakech area. Visitors often call the reservoir Ouirgane Lake.

The valley around Ouirgane is greener than the plain, with terraced fields along the river. It is a common first stop for a tea break and a short walk, about an hour and a quarter from Marrakech.

What is Ijoukak, and how high is it?

Ijoukak is a village and rural commune about 95 km south of Marrakech, roughly 2 hours by road. Ijoukak sits at about 1,200 metres above sea level, where the Agoundis valley meets the Nfis valley.

Ijoukak was heavily damaged by the 2023 earthquake. About 200 buildings were destroyed in the commune. Rebuilding of homes and of the road has continued since then, so visitors will see new construction along the way.

Ijoukak is also a starting point for walking routes up the Agoundis valley, a quieter approach to the Toubkal massif. Travellers interested in the classic route from Imlil can read our guide to the Mount Toubkal trek.

What is the Tinmel Mosque, and can you visit it now?

The Tinmel Mosque is a 12th-century Almohad mosque in the village of Tinmel, in the Nfis valley. It was founded around 1148 by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu’min.

Tinmel was the early base of the Almohad movement led by Ibn Tumart. The Almohads went on to rule Morocco and much of al-Andalus, and the mosque was built at Tinmel by Ibn Tumart’s successor. The site has been on Morocco’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status since 1995.

Before 2023, the mosque was one of the few in Morocco that non-Muslims could visit. The earthquake of 8 September 2023 caused severe damage to the building, including collapsed arches, walls and part of the minaret. At the time, the mosque was already near the end of a restoration programme.

Restoration resumed after the earthquake, with a focus on consolidating and rebuilding the structure from its surviving materials. As of 2025, the work was still in progress, and no reopening date had been announced. Access to the mosque may be restricted during the works. Check the situation locally before you plan your day around a visit inside.

Even when the interior is closed, the drive along the Nfis valley to Tinmel is a scenic part of the route.

How high is the Tizi n’Test pass?

The Tizi n’Test pass is at about 2,100 metres above sea level. Published figures for the pass are usually 2,092 or 2,093 metres. It is the highest point on the N7 road.

From the top, the view opens south over the Souss plain towards the Anti-Atlas on clear days. The southern descent is long and steep, dropping about 1,600 metres towards Taroudant.

What is the road like after the 2023 earthquake?

The Tizi n’Test road is a narrow, winding mountain road with many hairpin bends. Some sections run along steep drops. Average speeds are low once the road enters the mountains.

The earthquake damaged the road and blocked it with rockfall in places. It was cleared and reopened to traffic within weeks. In 2024, the authorities started rebuilding and widening the section between Ouirgane and Talat N’Yaaqoub, about 34 km long. The plan widens this section from about 4 metres to 7.5 metres.

Expect a mix of new, wider road and older narrow stretches. Roadworks, temporary diversions and short waits are possible. Rockfall can occur after heavy rain, and snow can close the pass for short periods in winter.

For these reasons, many travellers prefer a private vehicle with an experienced local driver on this road. The other main road across the High Atlas is the Tizi n’Tichka, covered in our guide to the Marrakech to Ouarzazate road.

When is the best time to drive the Tizi n’Test road?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for this drive. From March to May the valleys are green, and in October and November temperatures are mild.

Summer is hot on the plains but cooler in the mountains. Winter brings cold days, and snow can fall at the pass from December to February. Rain at any time of year can loosen rocks on the slopes.

Is the Tizi n’Test road a day trip or a route to Taroudant?

It can be either. As a day trip from Marrakech, Ouirgane and Ijoukak make a relaxed outing. Continuing to the pass and back means around 6 hours of driving, which makes a long day.

As a through route, the Tizi n’Test is the scenic mountain road from Marrakech to Taroudant. From Taroudant, travellers can continue to Agadir and the Atlantic coast. Plan a full day for the crossing, with stops in Ouirgane, Tinmel and at the pass.

Key facts

Plan your drive

The Tizi n’Test road is a slow mountain drive, so the timing matters more than the distance. A private driver can be arranged for the valley as far as Ouirgane or Ijoukak, or for the full crossing to Taroudant. To compare options, see our day trips from Marrakech, or ask us anything about the road.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the Tizi n’Test pass from Marrakech?

The Tizi n’Test pass is about 140 km from Marrakech. The drive takes about 3 hours without stops on a narrow mountain road.

How high is Ijoukak?

Ijoukak sits at about 1,200 metres above sea level, where the Agoundis valley meets the Nfis valley. The village is about 95 km south of Marrakech.

Is the Tinmel Mosque open to visitors?

The Tinmel Mosque was severely damaged in the earthquake of 8 September 2023. As of 2025, restoration was still in progress and no reopening date had been announced. Check access locally before you go.

Is the Tizi n’Test road open after the earthquake?

Yes, the road was cleared and reopened to traffic within weeks of the earthquake. Rebuilding and widening work began in 2024, so roadworks and short delays are possible.

Does it snow on the Tizi n’Test pass?

Yes, snow can fall at the pass in winter, mainly from December to February. Snow and ice can close the road for short periods.