The Dades Gorge ( a series of rugged wadi gorges carved out by the Dadès River in Morocco. ) is located in the Moroccan province of Tinghir in the Atlas Mountains. A gorge carved by the Dades River separates the Atlas and Anti-Atlas (or Small Atlas) mountains.
The Gorges du Dades is the section between the village of M’semrir in the north and the oasis town of Boumalne Dades, 40 kilometers further south, where the river leaves the mountains and reaches the highlands between the High Atlas and the Djebel Sarhro mountain range.
The Dadès is a river nearly 200 km long, half of which is located in a mountainous area. Along its course follow 4 series of gorges and defiles, 200 to 500 m deep.
Berbers once built many castles (kasbahs) in the area to defend themselves against enemies. The area is an attraction for tourism, especially because of the ruins that remain.
the gorge and neighboring Berber Kasbahs have become a popular tourist attraction.
Access : Coordinates: / The beginning of the Dades Gorge is located just a few kilometers from the town of Boumalne Dades, and 110 km from Ouarzazate, south-west of Tinghir. From Ouarzazate, follow the N10 road through El Kelâa and Boumalne Dadès, in the heart of the valley of roses.
Highlights :
- The road along the Gorges to the surroundings of Msemrir is of course very picturesque, the regional road R704, which, depending on the topographical conditions, either leads through the valley floor or bypasses the impassable gorges more or less widely over the valley slopes. The road section is around 62 kilometers long.
- The different gorges : First series of gorges : The wadi is then further divided into two branches, each having hollowed out its gorges nearly 300 m deep – Second series of grooves : They are separated from the first by the basin of M’semrir, and are also dug in limestone dating from the Dogger. / Third series of gorges : They are separated from the previous ones by a narrow basin, enclosed between escarpments, and are hollowed out over several kilometers in length in ocher or sometimes reddish reef limestone./ Fourth series of gorges : These gorges, located north of the oasis of Boumalne, are different because they are hollowed out of more varied rocks.
- The “Fingers of the Monkeys”, a rocky landscape known as “the brain of the Atlas”
- The winding road offers stunning views of the gorge and historic Kasbahs.
- Discover the Dades gorges in spring / in the gorges Activities: hiking, rafting and climbing! , Fishing or just relaxing by the water.
Go next : The valley of the Dades gorges is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and impressive in southern Morocco / The Valley of the Roses, also an essential stopover. The town of Kelaat M’gouna, in the Draa-Tafilalet region, is well known for its “rose festival”
