Hi All,

I already posted a question earlier about flying from Skoura to Marrakesh to avoid the drive through the High Atlas Mountains (copied below for information), but thought I should check whether my original premise is sound. Would the drive from Skoura to Marrakesh, through the High Atlas Mountains, be extremely stressful for someone with a fear of heights that is triggered on narrow mountain roads with switchbacks, drop offs, cliffs and similar features?

Original question copied below, just checking the original assumption that it would be a very long difficult drive for someone with this fear.

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Logistics Help: Skoura to Local AirportI am planning a 14-day group trip to Morocco with 4 friends. One leg of the trip is from Erg Chebbi to Skoura, and after that a drive through the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh.

The issue is this: The group will be moving around with a van and driver, but one person in the group (me!) has a severe fear of heights that makes the drive through mountains with narrow roads, switchbacks cliffs and drop offs, extremely stressful. I am trying to figure out if I can fly to Marrakesh while the rest of the group drives for that day, and regroup in Marrakesh.

There are two local airports, and domestic flights (but possibly not non-stop). My questions are:

- What is the best way to transfer from Skoura to Ouarzazate airport (45 min drive) or Skoura to Errachidia Airport (3 hour drive), for a domestic flight to Marrakesh?
- Are there drivers or taxi's that can be arranged in advance?
- Will a single English-speaking American woman who is dropped off at a smaller domestic airport Morocco have any problems? What are the pro's and con's of this plan?

Any help or thoughts you can provide are appreciated.

I didn’t take that particular route, but if your driver uses the route I just saw on google maps, then your trip would take the Tiz n’Tichka pass through the High Atlas, and I did go through that pass (as a passenger, not a driver) on my way from Marrakesh to a different dessert location, so maybe my comments will prove useful.

I don’t remember particularly narrow, twisty roads – the curves were wide and sweeping, as you can see in the attached picture taken from an overlook (not the car) near the top of that pass. I should say, however, that I don’t have a fear of heights, so I can’t say what your experience would be.To get an idea of the scale, the blue thing on the road to the right side of the picture is an 18-wheeler.




I do remember glorious scenery, scenery that remains among the most vivid recollections of my time in Morocco. I travelled as a solo woman (American, English speaking) and encountered nothing but courtesy and kindness in my three weeks there – I can’t imagine you would have a problem. No guarantees, of course.

If you choose to fly, I suspect your hotel in either Skoura or Marrakesh can suggest a driver.

I'm sure you already know that the best way to overcome any fear is to face the thing that frightens you. Beyond that, you could wear a mask during parts of the trip … but you would miss some stunning vistas! (See, for example, the 4th picture in post #10 of my trip report.)
Memorable, magnificent Morocco!

I hope that helps! And when you have a chance, click the orange triangle to ask a moderator to merge your two threads.

Hi kia, Thanks for your response and your picture! It looks totally benign from a distance. I look forward to reading your trip report.

I'm fine with spiders, enclosed spaces and all sorts of other fears that people commonly have. I guess one person's stunning vista is another person's 10th circle of hell!

Anyway, appreciate your thoughts and suggestion to ask the hotel in Skoura -- or try to face it like the grown-up I supposedly am

Good luck with your decision!