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Morocco🇲🇦 | landmarksDadès GorgesMonkey Fingers rocks, Tamellalt hairpins, river path, kasbah valley | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Dadès Gorges
👍 Recommendedunique site ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Dadès Gorges has no town inside the canyon, so most visitors sleep in guesthouses strung along the road from Boumalne Dadès and it is easy to cover the whole thing on foot between them. The gorge lies in Morocco’s High Atlas foothills, roughly north of Boumalne Dadès and east of Ouarzazate. The Monkey Fingers rock formations and the hairpin road at Tamellalt are the parts that deserve your time. The lower valley near Boumalne is dusty and plain, so skip lingering there. Crowds thin out fast once you leave the tour-bus viewpoint. I stopped at a roadside café for a glass of sweet mint tea and a plate of fried eggs with khlii, about US$4, and it beat the pricey terrace menus at the hairpin. Hikers and photographers will love it; anyone wanting a single dramatic wonder to tick off in an hour will feel underwhelmed.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 unique site in Morocco
What sets this place apart

Dadès Gorges gives you one of the best-value mountain days in southern Morocco, and it asks very little in return. The road climbs from Boumalne Dadès into red cliffs where the river has carved a canyon, and the Monkey Fingers rock formations near the Hotel Les Roches are the part you will actually remember. Hairpin bends, a thin green strip of fields and kasbahs in the valley floor, and walls that close in until the road feels like a ribbon. You do not need a tour. Shared taxis and local buses run the valley, guesthouses are small and family-run, and a walk between villages costs nothing.

The second reason is geography. Dadès Gorges sits on the classic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, so it connects Ouarzazate and the Todra Gorge to the west and east, and Merzouga and the Sahara a few hours further … read more 👉
Dadès Gorges gives you one of the best-value mountain days in southern Morocco, and it asks very little in return. The road climbs from Boumalne Dadès into red cliffs where the river has carved a canyon, and the Monkey Fingers rock formations near the Hotel Les Roches are the part you will actually remember. Hairpin bends, a thin green strip of fields and kasbahs in the valley floor, and walls that close in until the road feels like a ribbon. You do not need a tour. Shared taxis and local buses run the valley, guesthouses are small and family-run, and a walk between villages costs nothing.

The second reason is geography. Dadès Gorges sits on the classic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, so it connects Ouarzazate and the Todra Gorge to the west and east, and Merzouga and the Sahara a few hours further on. That makes it a natural overnight between desert and High Atlas, rather than a detour. Come for the Tizi n’Tghatine hairpins if you have wheels, or hike the valley paths if you do not. Either way, you get proper canyon country at backpacker prices, with far fewer coaches than the Todra side.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Monkey Fingers (Doigts de Singe): The valley’s best-known sight, a row of tall, finger-shaped red rock columns where the canyon narrows. A short riverside walk through the narrowest stretch is free.
  2. Tamellalt Switchbacks: A road climbing in tight hairpins above the valley floor. The viewpoint at the top gives the clearest look at the gorge’s layered cliffs.
  3. Dadès River Walk: A flat, easy path along the stream, past orchards and small stone farms. It is the simplest way to see daily village life.
  4. Kasbah-lined Valley near Boumalne Dadès: Mud-brick kasbahs stand on the approach, many with fields of almonds and roses below. Their earthen walls blend into the hills.
  5. Village Hikes around Aït Oudinar: Trails connect small settlements and give wide views over the canyon rim. Local guides lead longer loops
… read more 👉
  1. Monkey Fingers (Doigts de Singe): The valley’s best-known sight, a row of tall, finger-shaped red rock columns where the canyon narrows. A short riverside walk through the narrowest stretch is free.
  2. Tamellalt Switchbacks: A road climbing in tight hairpins above the valley floor. The viewpoint at the top gives the clearest look at the gorge’s layered cliffs.
  3. Dadès River Walk: A flat, easy path along the stream, past orchards and small stone farms. It is the simplest way to see daily village life.
  4. Kasbah-lined Valley near Boumalne Dadès: Mud-brick kasbahs stand on the approach, many with fields of almonds and roses below. Their earthen walls blend into the hills.
  5. Village Hikes around Aït Oudinar: Trails connect small settlements and give wide views over the canyon rim. Local guides lead longer loops of several hours.
  6. Gorge Road Viewpoints: Pull-offs along the road give photo angles over red cliffs, best in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon.
  7. Rose Valley Edge: Near the lower valley, rose fields bloom in spring, and the area is known for rose-based products.
Start with Monkey Fingers, since the narrow rock walls are most dramatic when you arrive before the tour groups fill the path. Dadès Gorges rewards an early start on foot.
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Things to do around Dadès Gorges

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🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Spring (April to May): Dadès Gorges is at its best now, with days of 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F), cool nights near 8°C (46°F) and green barley fields along the river. Roads are dry and hiking is comfortable.
  • Summer (June to August): Daytime highs reach 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F) in the valley floor. Walk at dawn, swim nowhere, and expect lower prices and few other backpackers. Days run about 14 hours long.
  • Autumn (September to October): Highs of 22 to 30°C (72 to 86°F) and clear skies make this the second prime window. Date and almond harvests are underway, and rooms fill on weekends.
  • Winter (November to March): Days reach 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), nights can drop below freezing at 1,500 meters, and snow occasionally closes the upper road. Daylight lasts about 10 hours. Rooms are cheapest, though heating
… read more 👉
  • Spring (April to May): Dadès Gorges is at its best now, with days of 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F), cool nights near 8°C (46°F) and green barley fields along the river. Roads are dry and hiking is comfortable.
  • Summer (June to August): Daytime highs reach 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F) in the valley floor. Walk at dawn, swim nowhere, and expect lower prices and few other backpackers. Days run about 14 hours long.
  • Autumn (September to October): Highs of 22 to 30°C (72 to 86°F) and clear skies make this the second prime window. Date and almond harvests are underway, and rooms fill on weekends.
  • Winter (November to March): Days reach 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), nights can drop below freezing at 1,500 meters, and snow occasionally closes the upper road. Daylight lasts about 10 hours. Rooms are cheapest, though heating is basic.
Book ahead for April and October, and arrive before midday to catch the best light on the rock walls.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Morocco

The best base for most backpackers is the Boumalne Dadès area, since it has the nearest bus and grand taxi links and a handful of simple guesthouses on the edge of town. It suits travelers arriving by public transport and wanting a market for supplies, but you will need a taxi to reach the gorge itself.
The lower gorge road around the Monkey Fingers rock formations is the social choice. Small family-run guesthouses and hostel-style riads sit along the river, shared terraces fill with hikers each evening, and the walking trails start at the doorstep. Staying here means dinner is usually communal … read more 👉
The best base for most backpackers is the Boumalne Dadès area, since it has the nearest bus and grand taxi links and a handful of simple guesthouses on the edge of town. It suits travelers arriving by public transport and wanting a market for supplies, but you will need a taxi to reach the gorge itself.
The lower gorge road around the Monkey Fingers rock formations is the social choice. Small family-run guesthouses and hostel-style riads sit along the river, shared terraces fill with hikers each evening, and the walking trails start at the doorstep. Staying here means dinner is usually communal at the place where you sleep.
Further up the valley, the villages near the Tamlalt and Msemrir end are quieter. They suit solo travelers who prefer silence, stargazing and longer treks, though fewer people mean less company and transport gets harder to arrange.
All three areas are calm and safe, with hosts who know the trails. Dorm beds and basic rooms are normal, and half-board is common because restaurants are few. Choose the lower gorge if you want company, Boumalne if you rely on buses.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Dadès Gorges costs most backpackers about US$10 to 20 a day, and the total daily budget in high season is US$50. Entry to the gorge itself is free, so your money goes on beds, meals and getting around. Travelers pay in dirhams, and cash is needed because ATMs are in Boumalne Dadès only.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Dorm bed or simple guesthouse room, often with breakfast included.
Accommodation (low season)US$7 to 14Winter discounts are common, but heating is limited.
FoodUS$8 to 12Tagine or half-board dinner at your guesthouse runs US$5 to 8. Lunch is a snack or sandwich.
Local transportUS$4 to 8Shared grand taxi between Boumalne and the gorge is US$1 to 3 a seat. Private taxis cost more.
Long-distance transportUS$6 to 10Buses from Tinghir or Ouarzazate
… read more 👉
Dadès Gorges costs most backpackers about US$10 to 20 a day, and the total daily budget in high season is US$50. Entry to the gorge itself is free, so your money goes on beds, meals and getting around. Travelers pay in dirhams, and cash is needed because ATMs are in Boumalne Dadès only.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Dorm bed or simple guesthouse room, often with breakfast included.
Accommodation (low season)US$7 to 14Winter discounts are common, but heating is limited.
FoodUS$8 to 12Tagine or half-board dinner at your guesthouse runs US$5 to 8. Lunch is a snack or sandwich.
Local transportUS$4 to 8Shared grand taxi between Boumalne and the gorge is US$1 to 3 a seat. Private taxis cost more.
Long-distance transportUS$6 to 10Buses from Tinghir or Ouarzazate cost roughly US$4 to 8 per leg.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 10Hiking is free. A local guide for a day trek costs about US$20 to 30, split among a group.
Total Daily BudgetUS$50Comfortable for a solo traveler using shared taxis and guesthouse meals.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Dadès Gorges is a river canyon in Morocco’s High Atlas foothills, cut by the Dadès River between Boumalne Dadès and Msemrir. Its famous stretch has red cliffs, the Monkey Fingers rock formations and a hairpin road known as the Serpent. The valley sits at roughly 1,500 meters, and entry is free.
Most travelers need one full day to drive or walk the main gorge, and two days if you want a proper hike such as the Monkey Fingers trail, which takes three to four hours. Dadès Gorges also suits an overnight stay, since the light on the cliffs is best early and late. Add a third day if you continue to Todra Gorge, about 40 kilometers away by road.
Reaching Dadès Gorges starts in Boumalne Dadès, which has buses from Ouarzazate (about 3 hours) and Tinghir (about 1 hour). From Boumalne, shared grand taxis run up the gorge road for roughly US$1 to 3 a seat, and a private taxi is about US$10 to 20. Marrakech is around 7 to 8 hours away by road, and many people join a Sahara tour that stops here.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Moroccan landmarks near Dadès Gorges

Explore more nearby:

  • Todra Gorge—Vertical limestone walls, narrow canyon, climbing routes, riverbed trails| 42 km away
  • Ouzoud Falls—multi-tiered cascades, olive groves, cliffside monkeys| 94 km away
  • Imi-n-Ifri Natural Bridge—limestone arch, river gorge, fossil formations| 100 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Dadès Gorges

Dadès Gorges trips go wrong when people rush through it in a single drive-by photo stop. I would sleep in a guesthouse inside the canyon, walk the river path at first light, and save the road for afterward.

✈️ When did I visit Morocco?
In October 2011, I backpacked Morocco for two weeks, with climbing the Mount Toubkal in summer clothing as a highlight.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Morocco, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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