The Todra Narrows

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.