Gibb River Road — Derby to Kununurra via the Kimberley Gorge Country (Dry Season Classic, Full Traverse, Mitchell Falls Spur and Bell Gorge Entry, Complete Run)
Kasbahs, passes, and canyon walls — Morocco's backbone.
Drop off the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres and you immediately understand why traders and armies have argued over this road for centuries. The route runs south from the pass through Aït Benhaddou — UNESCO-listed and still lived-in — then east along the pre-Saharan foothills to the Dades Gorge via Ouarzazate, Skoura’s palm oasis, and Boumalne Dades. That final push into the gorge on a narrow shelf road above the Dades River is the kind of driving that makes passengers grab the door handle and say nothing. Key waypoints: the kasbah cluster at Aït Benhaddou, the Skoura palmerie tracks, and the signed piste forks east of Boumalne Dades that split toward Msemrir.
A standard 4×4 with decent clearance handles everything on the main route in dry conditions; the upper gorge pistes toward Msemrir and the Todra Gorge junction push into high-clearance territory. No permits required. Fuel in Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dades — don’t count on the villages in between. Best run October through April; summer heat above 40°C makes the gorge canyon sections punishing. Water is available at towns but carry reserves for the piste sections. What you get out of it is a full cultural and geographic cross-section of southern Morocco in one continuous thread.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7415 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Ouarzazate, Drâa-Tafilalet |
| Land manager | Direction des Routes et de la Circulation Routière, Morocco |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Morocco Tourism – Ouarzazate Region |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or Land Cruiser handle this route without a lift?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD with good all-terrain tires is sufficient for the main route. The rocky piste sections and water crossings don't require a lift, but low-range is non-negotiable on the steeper passes near Tizi n'Tichka.
Is this route passable in summer, or does the heat and snow timing matter?
Avoid June through September — heat in the canyon sections is brutal and some high passes can see surprise summer storms that wash out piste sections. October through April is the window; snow is possible on the Atlas passes December through February so check conditions before committing to the high sections.
Are there permits or fees required to drive this route through Morocco?
No permits are required for the main route — Morocco's piste network is open to self-drive travelers. Some kasbah sites and gorge access points charge small entry fees (typically under $5 USD) collected on-site in cash.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The rocky descent into the Dades Gorge on the eastern end is the most technical — loose shale over embedded rock with tight switchbacks and no guardrails on significant drop-offs. It's not a shelf road but it demands full attention, and a wrong line on wet rock will put you in trouble fast.
How far apart are fuel stops, and can I count on gas availability between Ouarzazate and the Dades?
Fuel stations exist in Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dadès, roughly 120km apart — carry a spare 20-liter jerry can minimum. Small villages in between may have informal fuel sellers but treat that as a backup, not a plan.
Trail track
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