Dades Gorge: Monkey Fingers, Hairpin Bends and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs

Explore the Dades Gorge in southern Morocco: the famous Tissadrine hairpin road, the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations, kasbahs, hikes and where to stay.

There's a photo you've probably seen of Morocco: a narrow road twisting in tight hairpin bends up the side of a red cliff, like a ribbon dropped on the mountain. That road is in the Dades Gorge, one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Morocco. But the Dades is much more than a famous road. It's a valley of kasbahs, palm groves, almond trees, strange rock formations and Amazigh villages, carved by a river through the High Atlas.

Where Is the Dades Gorge?

The Dades Gorge is in the High Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco, north of the town of Boumalne Dades. The Dades River flows south from the mountains through the gorge, then turns west to join the Draa near Ouarzazate. The gorge stretches for more than 60 km, but the most visited section is the first 25 to 30 km north of Boumalne.

The Dades Valley, through which the main road from Ouarzazate to Tinghir runs, is known as the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" for the many earthen fortresses that line it.

The Landscape

What makes the Dades Gorge special is its variety. Unlike the narrow, vertical walls of the Todra Gorge, the Dades is wider in many places, with colourful rock layers, eroded formations, cliffs, green valleys and villages. The colours range from red and ochre to purple, grey and green, changing with the light.

The "Monkey Fingers"

About 15 km north of Boumalne, the road passes a remarkable landscape of rounded, finger-like rock formations, eroded by wind and water. They're known as the "Monkey Fingers" (or "Monkey Toes"), and some say they also look like brains or human bodies. A hiking trail leads through these formations, winding between them in narrow passages. It's one of the most unusual walks in Morocco.

The Tissadrine Hairpin Bends

About 25 to 30 km north of Boumalne, near the village of Tamlalt and Tissadrine, the road climbs a steep slope in a series of tight hairpin bends. Seen from above, it looks like a coiled snake on the mountainside. This is the famous Dades Gorge road, one of the most photographed roads in the world. A café at the top offers a panoramic view of the bends. The drive is exciting but safe if you go slowly and carefully.

The Narrow Section

Beyond the hairpins, the gorge narrows dramatically, with high cliffs on both sides and the road running beside the river. This section is less visited but very impressive.

Things to Do in the Dades Gorge

Drive the Gorge Road

The road from Boumalne up the gorge is a highlight in itself. It passes through villages, kasbahs, palm groves, fields and rock formations, with constant changes of scenery. Stop often for photos. The road is paved for much of its length, though it becomes narrower and rougher further north.

Hike the Monkey Fingers

The Monkey Fingers hike takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the route. It starts from the road and winds through the rock formations in narrow canyons, sometimes requiring scrambling. A local guide is recommended, as it's easy to get lost.

Explore the Kasbahs

The Dades Valley is famous for its kasbahs, many dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some are in ruins, while others have been restored as guesthouses. Notable kasbahs include those in the villages of Aït Youl, Aït Arbi (with a cluster of kasbahs on a hillside) and Aït Ibrirn.

Visit Villages

Amazigh villages along the gorge offer a glimpse of traditional life: earthen houses, terraced fields, irrigation channels, women working in the fields and children playing by the river. Some guesthouses offer guided walks to villages and visits to families.

Trekking

The Dades Gorge is a starting point for treks into the High Atlas, including routes linking it with the Todra Gorge over 2 to 3 days, and longer treks to the M'Goun massif, Morocco's second-highest mountain range.

The Valley of Roses

West of Boumalne, around the town of Kelaat M'Gouna, the Dades Valley becomes the "Valley of Roses." Here, hedges of Damask roses line the fields, and in May, they bloom in pink. Local families harvest the petals at dawn to make rose water, rose oil and cosmetics. The town celebrates the harvest with the Festival of Roses, usually in May, with music, dance, parades and the crowning of a "Miss Roses." Rose products are sold year-round in shops and cooperatives.

Skoura

Further west, the oasis of Skoura has one of the most beautiful collections of kasbahs in Morocco, including the Kasbah Amridil, a famous 17th-century kasbah shown on old Moroccan banknotes. Many restored kasbahs in Skoura are now guesthouses, offering peaceful stays among the palm trees.

Where to Stay

In the Gorge

Many guesthouses and hotels line the road through the gorge, often with terraces overlooking the river and cliffs. Staying in the gorge lets you enjoy sunset and sunrise, when the colours are at their most intense.

In Boumalne Dades

The town at the entrance of the gorge has hotels and guesthouses, convenient for travellers passing through.

In Restored Kasbahs

Several kasbahs in the Dades Valley and Skoura have been converted into atmospheric guesthouses.

What to Eat

• Tagines: with local vegetables, lamb or chicken.
• Couscous: traditionally on Fridays.
• Berber omelette: cooked in a tagine dish.
• Fresh bread: baked in clay ovens.
• Mint tea: with local herbs.
• Almonds and figs: grown in the valley.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March to May): green fields, blossoming almond trees and the rose harvest in May. Ideal.
• Autumn (September to November): pleasant temperatures, good for hiking.
• Winter (December to February): cold, especially at night, with possible snow at higher altitudes.
• Summer (June to August): hot, but the gorge is cooler than the surrounding plains.

Getting There

• From Ouarzazate: about 2 hours by car to Boumalne Dades.
• From Tinghir: about 1 hour.
• From Marrakech: about 6 hours, usually as part of a desert tour.
• From Merzouga: about 4 hours.

Most 3-day desert tours from Marrakech to Merzouga spend the first night in the Dades Gorge.

Driving Tips

• Drive slowly and carefully, especially on the hairpin bends.
• Watch out for pedestrians, animals and oncoming vehicles on narrow sections.
• Fill up with fuel in Boumalne, as there are few petrol stations in the gorge.
• After heavy rain, check road conditions, as landslides and flooding can occur.

The Geology of the Dades

The Dades Gorge cuts through layers of sedimentary rock, including limestone, sandstone, marl and conglomerate, laid down over millions of years. The variety of rock types explains the gorge's many colours and shapes. Softer layers erode quickly, leaving harder layers standing as cliffs, ledges and pillars. The Monkey Fingers are formed from conglomerate, a rock made of pebbles cemented together, which erodes into rounded, bulbous shapes. Farther along, the gorge reveals tilted and folded strata that show how powerfully the Atlas was squeezed and lifted during its formation.

Responsible Travel

• Respect villages and farmland.
• Hire local guides for hikes.
• Support local guesthouses and cooperatives.
• Take all rubbish with you.
• Ask before photographing people.

Dades or Todra?

The Dades and Todra gorges are often compared. The Dades is more varied, with colourful rock formations, kasbahs and the famous hairpin road. The Todra is narrower and more dramatic, with towering vertical walls. They're only about an hour apart, so ideally, see both: drive the Dades road and hike the Monkey Fingers, then walk through the Todra Gorge's narrowest section the next day.

Private tours that visit the Dades Gorge

Want to see the Dades Gorge without worrying about transport? These private tours with a local driver-guide include it, and each one can be adjusted to your dates and pace:

• 3-Day Merzouga Tour (3 days / 2 nights)
• 5 Days: From the Sahara Sands to the Atlas Mountains (5 days / 4 nights)
• 6 Days from Fes to Marrakech (with sightseeing) (6 days / 5 nights)
• 7 Days: Enchanting Trails of Morocco (7 days / 6 nights)

Prefer your own route? Ask for a tailor-made tour and we will build it around the Dades Gorge.

Final Thoughts

The Dades Gorge is one of Morocco's most scenic drives and a highlight of any trip to the south. Its winding road, colourful cliffs, Monkey Fingers, kasbahs and villages create a landscape that changes at every bend. Take your time, stay overnight in the gorge, and enjoy the colours of sunset over the cliffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the famous winding road in the Dades Gorge?

Near Tissadrine, about 25 to 30 km north of Boumalne Dades.

What are the Monkey Fingers?

Rounded, finger-like rock formations in the Dades Gorge, eroded by wind and water.

How long should I spend in the Dades Gorge?

At least one night, to drive the road and hike the Monkey Fingers.

Is the Dades Gorge road dangerous?

It's safe if you drive slowly and carefully, but the hairpin bends require attention.

When is the Festival of Roses?

Usually in May, in Kelaat M'Gouna.

Sources

• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Atlas Mountains
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Drâa River (Dades as a headwater)
• Moroccan National Tourist Office, Visit Morocco