Route to Erg Chigaga

It is the longest of the classic routes: road to M'Hamid and track to the erg. Splitting the outbound over two days and leaving the final stretch to a local driver is usually advised.

A dirt and stone track crossing an arid plain towards distant dunes

Road time vs. Sahara time

Qualitative assessment

Logistical effort: High
Outbound: Best split over two days
Return / onward: Best split over two days

Experience balance: Balanced. A reasonable split between travel and experience, with little slack for long delays.

Travel times are under review, so we show no hours or percentages. The assessment combines each leg's recommended pace with your days.

Where to break the trip

Ouarzazate, Agdz or Zagora are usual stops before reaching M'Hamid.

The track

Its condition varies with sand and rain. Agree a plan with the driver in case the track is difficult.

The way back

Returning the same way is the most common choice. Leave margin: accumulated fatigue counts.

Stages to Chigaga

1
Tizi n'Tichka (High Atlas)
Road type:
Winding mountain road
Caution:
Possible snow in winter
2
Aït Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate
Road type:
Main road
Pace:
Best split over two days
3
Draa Valley & Zagora
Road type:
Main road
Highlights:
Palm groves and kasbahs
4
M'Hamid El Ghizlane
Road type:
Main road
Highlights:
End of the road
5
Erg Chigaga
Road type:
Unpaved track
Caution:
Local driver recommended

Method & provenance

Last reviewed: 2026-09-29

Facts this page relies on (5)

A very long drive to M'Hamid plus a final off-road leg; best split over two days.
Status: Under review
Sources: No published source yet
Note: Pending verification against reliable, current sources. We publish no figures until then.
The last stretch from M'Hamid to Erg Chigaga is a track of variable condition; usually done with a local driver in a 4x4.
Status: Under review
Sources: No published source yet
Note: Pending verification against reliable, current sources. We publish no figures until then.
The route south from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas via a winding mountain pass with heavy traffic.
Status: Under review
Sources: No published source yet
Note: Pending verification against reliable, current sources. We publish no figures until then.
Services around Erg Chigaga are scarce; sort out cash, fuel and supplies before M'Hamid.
Status: Under review
Sources: No published source yet
Note: Pending verification against reliable, current sources. We publish no figures until then.
We classify each leg by pace (easy day trip, punishing single day, best split over two days, not feasible in one day) and combine outbound and return legs to judge the trip's balance.
Status: Editorial estimate
Sources: No published source yet
Note: Qualitative editorial method: it ranks options, it does not measure time. Each leg's category is still under review.