Dadès Valley & Dadès Gorge★★
The Dadès Valley (also known as the "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs") runs parallel to the Todra Valley and is one of the most scenically impressive regions of southern Morocco. The road from Boumalne Dadès into the Dadès Gorge is one of the most spectacular driving routes in the country — especially the famous serpentines (hairpin bends) that twist into narrow rock formations.
Rock Formations
At the entrance to the gorge stand the so-called "Monkey Fingers" (Doigts de Singes) — bizarre, columnar rock formations of eroded conglomerate. A few kilometers further, the Dadès River breaks through the gorge in a series of breathtaking twists that look like an abstract painting from above.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
From the village of Aït Oufi, multi-day hikes start across the high plateau to Todra. Mountain bikers rave about the trail that connects both gorges over the ridge (approx. 6 hours, challenging). Even simple half-day hikes along the riverbed are beautiful.
Valley of Roses
Between Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dadès lies the Valley of Roses (Vallée des Roses) around El Kelaa M'Gouna. In May, millions of Damask roses bloom here — a sea of pink and an intoxicating scent. The Rose Festival (Festival des Roses) attracts thousands. Rose oil, rose water, and rose cosmetics are sold everywhere along the roadside — significantly cheaper than in Marrakech.
💡 Tipp
The Dadès Gorge can be perfectly combined with the Todra Gorge: Dadès in the morning, Todra in the afternoon (or vice versa). The serpentine road is narrow — caution with oncoming traffic!
