# Todra and Dadès Gorges

Two canyons on the south face of the High Atlas, an hour apart: the Todra, narrow with vertical walls, and the Dadès, with bends and red rocks. The middle night between Ouarzazate and Merzouga.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/todra-and-dades-gorges · Revisado: 2026-11-11

## Where are they and how do you get there?

On the so-called route of a thousand kasbahs, the N10 between Ouarzazate and Errachidia. From Ouarzazate it is about two hours to Boumalne, the entrance to the Dadès. From Boumalne to Tinghir, the entrance to the Todra, it is about 55 km and another hour. From Marrakesh it is, in total, six or seven hours: do not do it in one day, sleep first at Aït Ben Haddou. From the Todra to Merzouga is about four hours more.

Without a car, CTM and Supratours stop at Boumalne and Tinghir, and from there shared grand taxis go up to the gorges.

## Which one to see if you only have time for one?

The Todra can be understood in an hour: a corridor of rock about 300 m high and about ten metres wide, which you walk along beside the river. The Dadès is a road: you drive up through the canyon between oddly shaped rocks to the bends of Tissadrine. If you are in a hurry, the Todra; if you like driving, both.

## Dónde está
- Zonas: High Atlas, Atlas

## Qué hacer
- **The Todra Narrows** (1 h · Everyone · Free): What it is
The Todra narrows are the final and tightest stretch of the gorge that the Todgha river opens in the south face of the High Atlas, above Tinghir. The limestone walls rise about 300 m on each side (some sources speak of up to 400 m at certain points) and at the narrowest only about 10 m separate them. The last 600 m, where the rock is smooth and vertical, are the most impressive.
The whole gorge is long, but what almost everyone comes to see is that corridor of rock, and it is walked along the bottom, beside the river, in a short while.
Getting there and parking
From Tinghir, on the N10 between Ouarzazate and Errachidia, the road heads north up through the palm grove and into the gorge. It is about 12 km of winding road to the narrows. Without a car, shared grand taxis go up from the CTM or Supratours stop in Tinghir.
On arrival, the road passes through the narrows itself. There are small car parks just past the tightest stretch, where a small fee is paid to the attendant. From there you walk back towards the narrow part.
The walk
It is a flat out-and-back walk along the canyon floor, about 600 m through the vertical-walled stretch, plus as much as you want to extend upriver. You walk on the road and the gravel bank, beside a river that carries little water in the dry season. Allow an hour at an easy pace, more if you sit watching the climbers.
The Todra walls are a well-known climbing area, with many equipped routes. If you want to try, do it with an experienced local guide: ask at your accommodation.
To see the canyon from above there is the walk above the Todra, a loop of three to four hours.
When to go
First thing in the morning or from five in the afternoon, when the groups that arrive by coach mid-morning have gone.
Spring and October are the best seasons. In summer the bottom is cooler than the road, but the approach is an oven. In winter the nights are cold.
Price
Seeing the narrows is free. You only pay for parking.
With children and a dog
It is one of the easiest visits of the trip: flat, short and with water to dip your feet. With a pushchair you go along the road, although you will have to step aside for cars. With a dog, no problem. Small children should always be held by the hand near the river and the road.
Where to sleep
Sleeping nearby lets you see the narrows empty at dawn. Dar Ayour is at the entrance to the gorge and Auberge Le Festival, upriver, past the narrows. For the Dadès, an hour away, there is Le Vieux Château du Dadès.
- **Dadès Road to Tissadrine** (2 h · 29 km · Calm drivers · Free): What it is
The Dadès valley is the other great gorge in this part of the High Atlas, an hour west of the Todra. Here the Dadès river has carved a series of canyons 200 to 500 m deep between Boumalne Dadès and M'semrir, in limestone, red sandstone and marl. Unlike the Todra, which is seen on foot in a short while, the Dadès is toured by car: a mountain road climbs along the valley floor among kasbahs, orchards and rock formations, up to a stretch of zigzag bends that is the best-known photo of the place.
The route, step by step

Boumalne Dadès. You leave the N10, the road between Ouarzazate and Tinghir, at Boumalne, and take the road that climbs north up the valley. Fill the tank and buy water here.
Kasbahs and orchards. The first kilometres run among mud-brick villages, ruined or restored kasbahs, almond trees and fields beside the river.
The rocks. Higher up appear the formations that give the valley its fame: the "monkey fingers", columns and ridges of rounded rock that are also called the brain of the Atlas. Stop at the lay-bys to look at them.
The narrows and the bends. About 29 km from Boumalne, the road crosses the river and wedges into the Tissadrine gorge, where it climbs the slope in a series of hairpin bends. At the top there are cafés with terraces from which you see the whole zigzag.
Return. The usual thing is to turn round here and go back down the same way. The road continues towards M'semrir, lonelier now.

Allow an hour's climb from Boumalne to the bends and another going down, plus stops: half a day at an easy pace.
How to drive it
The road is paved, but it is narrow, with blind bends, stretches without crash barriers and the odd rockfall. Drive slowly, sound the horn on blind bends and give way to the lorries and vans coming down. At the Tissadrine bends do not stop on the carriageway to take photos: go up to the cafés at the top. It is easy for a calm driver by day; do not do it at night.
Without a car, shared grand taxis go up from Boumalne, and the accommodation in the valley will organise transport for you.
When to go
In spring, with the almond trees and orchards green, and in October. In summer the valley is hot by day, though cooler than the N10. In winter the nights are cold and there may be ice in the upper part. If there is a storm in the Atlas, do not drive along the valley floor: flash floods can cut the road.
The best light for the red rocks is first thing and late in the afternoon.
The roses of the lower valley
Further south, in the lower Dadès valley, roses are grown. If you go in spring, you will see the fields in flower beside the N10.
Where to sleep
Sleeping in the valley lets you make the climb early, without traffic. Le Vieux Château du Dadès is right in the gorge. For the Todra, an hour away, you have Dar Ayour and Auberge Le Festival.
- **Tinghir Palm Grove** (2 h · Families · Independently or with a local guide): What it is
The Tinghir palm grove is the oasis that the Todgha river irrigates as it leaves its gorge, before vanishing into the plain. It is a green strip of date palms, orchards and irrigation channels several kilometres long, between the town of Tinghir and the entrance to the Todra narrows. Below, in the shade of the palms, there are green fields and orchards in small plots, watered by channels. On the edge of the oasis, up high, stand the old ksour, fortified mud-brick villages, some still inhabited and others in ruins.
It is the counterpoint to the canyon: after bare rock, a flat walk between water and green.
What the walk is like
There is no single or signposted route: the palm grove is a network of dirt paths between orchards and mud walls. The simplest way:

Park beside the road that climbs from Tinghir to the gorge, at one of the wide spots from which the palm grove can be seen.
Walk down into the oasis by one of the paths leaving the road.
Walk among the orchards, following the irrigation channels. You will see people working the land and loaded donkeys.
Climb up to one of the ksour on the edge to see the palm grove from above.
Return to the road by another path or the same one.

Allow two to three hours for Tinghir and the oasis, without hurry. The ground is flat, with the odd step and the odd channel to jump.
Independently or with a guide
You can go independently, but it is easy to lose your bearings among identical walls and paths, and you are passing through private land. A local guide explains how the water is shared out, takes you to the ksour and keeps you out of the plots. Your accommodation can arrange it, also if you sleep in the gorge, at Dar Ayour. Agree price and duration before setting off.
When to go
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At midday there is shade under the palms, but the path down and the ksour are in the sun. In spring the green is more intense; in autumn it is the date harvest season.
Rules and respect
The orchards are the livelihood of the oasis families. Walk on the paths, do not step on the crops or pick fruit, and do not climb over walls. Ask permission before photographing people, especially women. Dress with shoulders and knees covered when entering inhabited ksour.
With children and a dog
It is a good walk with children: flat, shaded, with water and animals. With a pushchair, on the main paths; on narrow paths, a baby carrier is better. Watch out for the channels, which may have running water. With a dog, keep it on a lead: there are farm animals and guard dogs.
- **Walk above the Todra** (3 h 30 · With some fitness · Local guide recommended): What it is
A walking loop above the Todra narrows: you climb from the bottom of the canyon to the plateau that surrounds it, walk among rocks and shepherd tracks, pass Berber families who live in a traditional way with their flocks, and come back down to the gorge to close the circle. You see the canyon from above, the Tinghir palm grove to the south and the High Atlas mountains to the north.
The route, step by step

Start. From the car parks just past the narrows, cross to the other side and look for the steps that climb the hillside.
Climb. The first stretch is the hardest: a steep climb among loose stones until you leave the canyon.
Plateau. At the top, the path follows shepherds' tracks among rock and scrub. You pass Berber families who live with their livestock.
Views. In several places you look over the edge and see the narrows at your feet.
Descent. The path describes a circle and drops back down towards the gorge, along which you walk back to the car park.

Allow three to four hours in total. There are demanding stretches, but anyone who is fit and used to mountain walking does it without trouble. The exact distance and climb depend on the variant the guide takes.
Waymarking: better with a guide
The paths are not waymarked and shepherds' tracks cross in all directions. There are maps of the loop on apps such as Komoot, but the most sensible thing is to go with a local guide: they know the good variant depending on the state of the terrain, avoid the exposed stretches and introduce you to the families you pass. Your accommodation can find you a guide from the village, also if you sleep in the gorge, at Dar Ayour or Auberge Le Festival; there are also guided excursions of three and five hours that can be booked online. Agree price, duration and route beforehand.
When to go
Spring and autumn. In summer set off at dawn: there is no shade up top and the midday heat is strong. In winter the days are good for walking, but it dawns cold and gets dark early; finish in daylight.
Do not do it if there are storms in the Atlas or it has rained a lot: the stones are slippery and the river at the bottom can rise suddenly.
What to bring

Mountain boots or trainers with a good sole: there is loose stone.
Plenty of water, at least a litre and a half per person: there are no springs up top.
A hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
Something to eat.
A few dirhams if you want to buy something or have a tea with the families.

With children, teenagers and a dog
For fit teenagers it is a good adventure. For small children, no: the climb is steep and there are unprotected edges. With a dog it is possible, if it is used to the mountains and you carry water for it; bear in mind the flocks and the sheepdogs.
If the weather changes
If it clouds over above the Atlas or begins to rain, do not carry on: go back the way you came up or ask the guide for the shortest descent. If you get lost, do not go down ravines: retrace your steps to a known point. The Gendarmerie's emergency number in rural areas is 177.

## Consejos

### Enter the Todra first thing
Before ten the groups have not arrived and the light reaches the top of the walls.

### Bring sandals or footwear that can get wet
For crossing the river and walking along the bottom of the canyon.

### Stop at the Tissadrine bends with care
There is a café viewpoint at the top. The road is narrow and has no hard shoulder.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Do you have to pay to enter the gorges?
No. The roads and the bottom of the Todra are free. You pay for parking next to the hotels and for guides if you hire them.

### Can you walk in the gorges?
Yes. In the Todra, the narrow stretch is flat and short. There are longer routes above the canyon, best with a local guide.

### Where should I sleep, in the Todra or the Dadès?
In whichever leaves you closer to the next day. On the way to Merzouga, the Todra; coming from Merzouga towards Marrakesh, the Dadès.

### Can you climb?
The Todra has sport climbing routes on its walls. You need equipment and experience, or a climbing guide.