In Morocco’s southern valley regions, geological history is magnificently exposed for all to see.
Travelling from Marrakech over the Atlas Mountains, toward the palm oasis town of Ouarzazate. Thereafter, heading south-east into the Dades Valley, located on the northern side of the Atlas range, is to experience, rather like a kaleidoscope, the Atlas’s changing character at each turn. The Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges can confidently vie with the mighty Himalayas or Swiss Alps and yet have the gentle greenness of the Scottish Highlands.
The Dades & Todra Gorges
The Dades Valley Gorge and Todra Gorges are two of the places in Morocco that fit that bill perfectly. The Dades Valley is a great location for walking and trekking in Morocco. In the Dades Valley the vividness of the colors will stop you every few steps for a picture, so be sure to bring extra film! The soil is a deep earthy red that rubs off on the hands and leaves the scent of the earth. Further through the trail you will find towns and to your amazement the ground doesn’t lose its deep red, but actually becomes redder than you may have ever imagined the ground could get. There is thick green grass in the valleys, and the mountain walls around you twist and dance with one another in an endless pirouette.
BERBER CULTURE
The Dades is often referred to as the Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs” because of the numerous fortress cities that dot the road, serving as a reminder of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the lush valleys where the Skoura and El Kelaa des Mgouna oases are home to roses.
ROSE VALLEY
To find yourself in the Dades valley is to be immersed in the heart of the rose country, known also as ‘The Valley of the Roses’ where each spring roses are harvested to produce rose water and rose oil for local distribution and the remainder exported to be processed by the worlds perfume industry.
The Rose Festival that takes place after the harvest each year in May is celebrated with dance and traditional Berber music, during which time the entire town is fragrant with the beautiful and natural scent of distilled roses.
Giant Rock Stacks
The Dades gorge is a dramatically spectacular section of the valley, separating the Atlas Mountains from the Anti Atlas, the gorge is unmistakeably mesmerising and one of southern Morocco’s great natural wonders and most spectacular canyons, with Kasbahs built into the rock, precariously overlooking the river below and where gravity-defying giant rock stacks, all shades of rustic red and baked terracotta glow in the sun.
So ’overbaked’ are these structures by the sun and worn by weather, they look as though they might well crumble before you. The river in perpetual motion has forged deeply cut gullies, inviting you to stop and stare, in amazement!
Sweet Sticky Dates
Continuing South East, you arrive at the small town of Erfoud and should you travel during the month of October, you will find the date harvest in full swing throughout the southern region, Erfoud being the home of the famed date festival, held annually in the same month.
MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR
But this dune region is a really big and beautiful stretch of sand, so you can still reach parts of the amazing ERG CHEBBI that are relatively deserted. You have the exceptional chance to experience desert life under the stars if you choose to stay in a Saharan desert camp or modest hotel on the dunes. Of course, you also have the option, should you so want, to go on a camel trip or walk into the desert.
