The Valley of Roses, located in the Dades Valley in Morocco, is a picturesque and fertile area renowned for cultivating a special type of rose, Rosa Damascena (Damask rose), 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.
Roses are harvested to produce a variety of products, including rosewater, essential oils, and perfumes. Moreover, every year in May, the valley celebrates the Festival of Roses, a vibrant and colourful event that marks the end of the rose harvest season. The festival includes music, traditional dancing, parades, and the crowning of a “Miss Rose.” It attracts both locals and tourists who come to enjoy the festivities and purchase rose-based products.
The roses grown in the valley are an important source of income for the local community. Rosewater and rose oil are highly sought after for their use in cosmetics, perfumes, and culinary products. Small cooperatives in Kelaat M’Gouna and surrounding areas produce these items and export them across Morocco and internationally.
How to get there?
From Marrakech or Ouarzazate
You can start your journey from Marrakech, about 285 km from Kalaat M’Gouna. Most people combine a visit to Rose Valley with a trip to the Dadès Gorge, Todra Gorge, or the Sahara Desert.
Ouarzazate is closer to the Kalaat M’Gouna (about 95 km).
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 Kalaat M’Gouna and Boumalne Dadès. It’s about 285 kilometres and 5 hours drive.
By Bus
You can take a bus from Marrakech or Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dadès. The journey from Marrakech takes about 7–8 hours, while it’s roughly 2–3 hours from Ouarzazate. 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.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Rose Valley is during the spring, from late April to mid-May. This period is when the valley’s famous rose fields are in full bloom, creating a stunning landscape of fragrant pink roses. The highlight of the season is the Festival of Roses, typically held in May, which celebrates the annual rose harvest with music, dancing, and cultural events.
What to see and do in the Rose Valley?
Visit a shop or cooperative
There are plenty of shops and cooperatives where you can get a short tour with an explanation of how they make the oil. They are mostly located along the main road, so you can’t miss them. According to one of the salesmen, 4 tons of roses are needed to make 1 litre of rose oil! If you like the products, it could be a great gift idea for your friends and family.
Walk amond roses
A short stroll through the green oasis is a good idea to see the plants closer. There isn’t any specific trail to follow, just improvise 🙂 Hdida or Taberkhachte are two villages that give quite easy access to the fields.
Kasbah ruins
Large kasbah ruins stand only 3 kilometres from the turn-off from the road N10. The site can be reached easily on foot from the main road.
Gorges Izelmaden
Another beautiful gorge where locals like to chill next to the stream.
Further away
Gorges d’Amejgag
A spectacular drive through the gorge takes you sometimes at river level and other times on the road excavated in the rock wall. It attracts offroad fans and can be explored by motorcycle or 4X4.
Drive through Tizi n’ Aït Hamad to Aït Bouguemez
If you are adventurous enough, you can drive through the highest mountains pass in Morocco – Tizi n’ Aït Hamad – to Aït Bouguemez. The road is not an easy one, it has many crazy bends and in some sections, the surface is really bad. Drive slowly and carefully!
The distance from Kalaat M’Gouna to Aït Bouguemez is 122 km but you should budget at least 4 hours to drive it.
You can see more about Aït Bouguemez in a separate post HERE.
