# Dadès Road to Tissadrine

What to do en Todra and Dadès Gorges · Todra and Dadès Gorges

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/todra-and-dades-gorges/things-to-do/dades-gorge-road · Revisado: 2026-11-11

- Duración: 2 h
- Para quién: Calm drivers

A mountain road through the Dadès canyon from Boumalne: kasbahs, red rocks and the Tissadrine bends, about 29 km.

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.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 31.5, -5.97

## Cerca de aquí

- [Le Vieux Château du Dadès](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/todra-and-dades-gorges/where-to-stay/vieux-chateau-du-dades), a 1.5 km

## Consejos

### Go up to the cafés at the top
From their terraces you see all the Tissadrine bends without stopping on the road.

### Go early
Less traffic, better light on the rocks and cooler.

### Fill the tank at Boumalne
It is the last large town before the climb.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to drive the Dadès road?
An hour from Boumalne to the Tissadrine bends and another back, plus stops.

### Is it dangerous?
It is narrow and bendy, but paved. By day and slowly it is not difficult.

### Can you go without a car?
Yes, by shared grand taxi from Boumalne or with transport arranged by your accommodation.

Destino: [Todra and Dadès Gorges](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/todra-and-dades-gorges.md)