The Dades Valley and its lunar landscapes

The creation of the Dades gorges is almost as old as the world itself, dating back to the Jurassic era. 200 million years ago, the ocean occupied the entire area and, with a tropical climate, vast areas of coral were established under the sea. Over time, the sediments compacted to form the sandstone and limestone rocks that we find on the rock faces today.

The movements of tectonic plates have shaped these long mountain ranges, including the High Atlas. The entire coral reef has ended up at the top of the mountains! The water of the Dades River found its bed in these rocks, and the harsh winter weather gave rise to the gorges we see today.

The valley is 25 kilometres long and boasts an extraordinary diversity of landscapes! Situated halfway between Imdiazen and Boulmane Dadès, it boasts fabulous landscapes where rock and dwellings blend together in an astonishing setting. The valley is surprisingly rich! You'll pass from almond trees in flower to desert cliffs and from kasbahs to the steep foothills of the Atlas mountains...

The Dades Valley reveals a whole series of lush green oases fed by the Dades wadi, in the heart of a desert landscape. The oued du Dadès rises in the High Atlas mountains and flows for 200 kilometres to join the oued Drâa, not far from Ouarzazate. Along the way, it meanders through the heart of the Dades Valley, creating beautiful oases of fig, date and almond trees. The valley is said to produce the best dates in Morocco!

And here, right in the middle of this lunar panorama, are the Dades gorges, with their limestone and sandstone rocks formed millions of years ago! The famous road leading to the gorges and into the Atlas mountains is an adventure in itself! In the gorges, the colours of the rocks change to red, ochre or mauve depending on the time of day. An unforgettable sight!

The surprising geological formations that dot the landscape contribute greatly to the mysterious atmosphere that reigns here. The " monkey fingers " massif in particular is a must-see. The immense cliffs can reach heights of up to 500 metres, and you'll find yourself winding your way along an impressive road, nestling in the depths of the monumental walls.

The best way to discover the Dades gorges is on foot, from the inside! That way, you can fully immerse yourself in the majesty that emanates from them. As well as the car journey, which is already exhilarating, there are a number of hiking trails and walks in and around the gorges.

If you choose to hike in the Dades, you should know that most accommodation can provide you with a guide. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the vegetation and geology of the area, as well as the culture of the valley's inhabitants. In fact, if the water level in the gorges is high, a guide is compulsory. In some places, the faults are so narrow that the rising water can be dangerous in the canyons.

The "monkey fingers" are probably the most famous natural sight in the Dades. To discover them, you can park your car at the viewpoint and drive down towards the orchards. Cross the wadi and you'll find the start of the canyon (don't hesitate to use maps.me to find your way or ask someone in the village who'll be happy to help).

As you weave your way along the canyon rift, you'll be in for a real treat! Once again, this is only possible without a guide when the canyon is dry. Then you come to the famous "monkey fingers". Here, erosion has shaped the rock into large blocks that resemble monkey fingers. The cliffs appear sculpted and offer an extraordinary spectacle!