Things to do · Dadès Gorge
North of Boumalne Dadès, on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs east of Ouarzazate, the Dadès Gorge winds between sculpted red cliffs and rose-growing villages. Its famous switchbacks and rock formations make it one of southern Morocco's great drives. Here is what to do.
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The tight hairpin bends climbing out of the gorge are an icon of Moroccan road trips, coiling up the cliff face in dramatic loops. A viewpoint cafe above the bends offers the classic photograph looking down the zigzag road.
Near the entrance to the gorge, wind and water have eroded the cliffs into rounded, finger-like columns known as the Monkey Fingers. A short walk among them reveals the strange shapes up close.
Beyond the switchbacks the road squeezes into a narrow defile where the Dadès River runs between sheer walls. Footpaths follow the water, offering easy walks deeper into the canyon than the road reaches.
The lower gorge connects to the Valley of Roses, and villages here cultivate Damask roses alongside fruit and grain. The mix of red rock, green gardens and earthen houses defines the valley's character.
The gorge's walls show tilted bands of red and ochre rock, glowing warm at sunrise and sunset. Numerous laybys and terrace cafes make it easy to stop and capture the changing light.
Auberges and guesthouses cling to the riverbank along the gorge, many with terraces over the water. An overnight stay lets you enjoy the canyon in the quiet hours after the day-trippers have moved on.
Trails climb out of the gorge onto the surrounding plateau, rewarding walkers with wide views over the switchbacks and the valley. Local guides lead routes ranging from a couple of hours to a full day.
Earthen kasbahs and fortified villages line the approach to the gorge, including the cluster around Aït Youl. They show the same pre-Saharan architecture seen throughout the Ouarzazate region.
In the hills above the gorge, semi-nomadic Amazigh families still move with their herds and shelter in caves. Respectful guided visits offer insight into a pastoral way of life that endures here.
The Dadès pairs naturally with the neighbouring Todra Gorge, and the scenic road linking the two valleys is a classic circuit. Many travellers from Ouarzazate take in both on a one- or two-day loop.
Cafes perched above the switchbacks serve mint tea and tagine with a grandstand view of the road below. It is the ideal place to pause and take in the scale of the gorge.
As the day ends, the gorge walls flare orange and red before slipping into shadow. The terraces of the riverside guesthouses are perfect spots to watch the colours fade.
The mouth of the Dadès Gorge near Boumalne Dadès lies about 115 km east of Ouarzazate on the N10, roughly a two-hour drive past Skoura and the Valley of Roses. The famous switchbacks are a further 25 km up the gorge road.
They are a series of tight hairpin bends where the road climbs steeply out of the gorge up a cliff face. Viewed from the cafe above, the coiling road is one of the most photographed sights on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Yes. The two gorges sit fairly close together and are linked by a scenic mountain road, making a Dadès and Todra loop a classic itinerary from Ouarzazate, usually spread over one full day or with an overnight stop in between.
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