The Dades Gorges is a stunning natural formation located in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, carved by the Dades River over thousands of years. This dramatic series of gorges and canyons offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. It lies between the towns of Boumalne Dades and Agoudal but most of the tourists don’t go further than M’semrir.
The Dades Gorges is famous for its jagged cliffs, red and orange-hued rocks, and unusual geological formations, including the well-known “Monkey Fingers” rock formations near the village of Tamellalt.
The gorges are also renowned for their scenic, hairpin-turn roads, particularly the stretch that climbs up the mountainside, providing breathtaking views of the valley below. This road is often a highlight for road trips and attracts photographers for its dramatic curves.
The Dades Valley is home to several small Berber villages that maintain a traditional way of life. The architecture includes ancient kasbahs (fortified homes) and ksars (fortified villages), built from mud and straw, blending into the landscape.
The Dades Gorges are close to other notable sites, such as the Todra Gorge, another impressive canyon. Many travellers visit both in one trip, often as part of a broader route that includes the Sahara Desert (Merzouga) and Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How to get there?
From Marrakech or Ouarzazate
You can start your journey from Marrakech, about 300 km from the Dadès Valley. Most people combine a trip to the Dadès Valley with a tour of the Sahara Desert.
Ouarzazate is closer to the Dadès Valley (about 140 km) and is often a stopover point. Many travellers visit Ouarzazate for its proximity to the Dadès and Todra Gorges.
By Car
Renting a car is the most flexible way to travel. Take the N9 road from Marrakech towards Ouarzazate, passing through the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the Atlas Mountains. From Ouarzazate, continue on the N10 road towards Boumalne Dadès.
Approach from Boumalne Dades or Agoudal?
Most tourists drive in Dades Gorges from Boumalne Dades. In such case, you will have a tarmac road more or less until Bouljam which is roughly 70 kilometres away. After that, it’s a dirt road which climbs up to Agoudal. It is doable but stressful in rental sedan cars. It will be your choice to continue or turn around and come back the same way.
If you really want to cover the whole distance of Dades Gorges, probably it’s better to start in Agoudal and drive down towards Boumalne Dades. I did it this way in Renault Clio and damn, it was certainly the most difficult road that I have taken in Morocco! On the other hand, the views were magnificent, with an impressive gorge on the left side wriggling like a snake. Make sure you go slowly!
By Bus
You can take a bus from Marrakech or Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dadès. The journey from Marrakech takes about 7–8 hours, while from Ouarzazate, it’s roughly 2–3 hours. Popular operators include CTM or Supratours.
Once you arrive in Boumalne Dadès, ask around at your accommodation or travel agents on the streets for further sightseeing options and day tours.
By Tour
Many tour operators offer guided trips to the Dadès Valley from Marrakech or Ouarzazate, often as part of multi-day desert tours that include the Sahara, Ait Benhaddou, and Todra Gorge. These tours will handle all transportation and logistics, making it a more convenient but less flexible option if you want to explore at your own pace.
The best time to visit
Plan your trip in spring or autumn for the best weather conditions. While winter is generally mild, it can get quite cold at night and in the mornings, with temperatures occasionally dropping close to freezing, especially at higher elevations. Summer can be hot, but temperatures are milder in the mountains.
You should always have some warmer layers, regardless of the season. In the end, it’s mountains there!
Where to stay?
There are several nice riads and homestays in the villages or along the road R704. I stayed in Hotel Babylon Dades and was perfectly satisfied. The room was cosy and the tajine for dinner was one of the best I have had in Morocco. It’s also located very close to another beautiful and narrow gorge. Ideal for a morning walk!
Boumalne Dades
A small town located at the entrance to the Dadès Gorge. It is a popular stop for travellers exploring the High Atlas, as well as those heading towards the Sahara Desert. If you travel by bus, this is most likely where you will arrive. Walk around the town and do your research at travel agents about the tours exploring Dades and Todra gorges.
Sidi Boubker Gorge
Just 15 kilometres from Boumalne Dades in this harder accessible gorge – Sidi Boubker. You can park the car near Hotel Atlas Gorge Dades and walk down. On my visit in November, there was a lot of water in the gorge so I was not able to explore it deeper.
Monkey Fingers
The Monkey Fingers is a scenic trek, specifically in an area known for its unique rock formations that resemble the fingers of a monkey’s hand. These formations are located near the village of Tamellalt.
The hike offers an exciting combination of dramatic landscapes, towering red rock canyons, and narrow gorges, making it a popular destination for adventurous travellers and nature lovers. Hikers can explore the rock formations and the surrounding valleys, discovering small Berber villages, and beautiful viewpoints over the gorge. The area is also dotted with kasbahs (traditional mud-brick fortresses), adding a cultural dimension to the experience.
More about it HERE.
Little canyon near Hotel Babylon Dades
If you turn left from Hotel Babylon Dades, in a few meters you will see the path on the right side, crossing over a creek. It will take you to a beautiful narrow gorge. Explore as far as you can! I had to turn back after around 1.5 – 2 kilometers as there was quite a bit of water and climbing over the rocks was getting more and more difficult. Great adventure though!
Bends and viewpoint
The bends are a series of sharp, switchback turns that snake their way up the steep canyon walls. These hairpin turns are dramatic and provide some of the most breathtaking views of the gorge and surrounding mountains.
For the best view of famous bends on the road going through Dades Gorge, stop for a drink at the Cafe and Restaurant Timzzillite Chez Mohamed.
Narrow section
One of the most scenic parts of the gorge, with a road on one side and a stream on the other, surrounded by towering rocky walls. Unbelievable!
Aweddim
The ruins of a watchtower which was built during the French colonial era.
Amouguer
Here you can drive down to the village and then walk towards the bottom of Dades Gorge.
Kefroun (turtle’s back)
Spectacular landscape and the rock formation which resembles a turtle shell. Park on the roadside and enjoy.
Between Bouljam and Agoudal
The road linking these two towns is unpaved and bumpy. It’s doable in a normal 2WD car but it will take a long time and you must be extra careful. The scenery is amazing though and traffic is minimal. There are rumours that soon this section will be paved, so let us know in the comments if you have driven it recently!
Worth a detour
Rose Valley
The Valley of Roses is a picturesque and fertile area renowned for its cultivation of fragrant roses, particularly in and around the town of Kelaat M’Gouna. It is part of the greater Draa-Tafilalet region in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, close to Boumalne Dadès.
The valley is known for growing a special type of rose, Rosa Damascena (Damask rose), which has been cultivated in the region for centuries. These roses are harvested to produce a variety of products, including rosewater, essential oils, and perfumes.
The valley itself is stunning, with terraced fields of roses stretching across the landscape, interspersed with orchards of fruit trees, especially almonds and figs. The contrast between the lush green valley and the rugged mountains of the High Atlas makes it a scenic destination for nature lovers.
