Dades Valley & Gorge

The Dades Valley and Dades Gorge form one of Morocco’s most dramatic and varied landscapes — a 200km corridor of ancient kasbahs, palm oases and extraordinary geological formations running east from Ouarzazate towards Boumalne Dades. The valley’s rock formations — known locally as Monkey Fingers or the Hands of God — are towers of red, orange and ochre layered rock twisted by millions of years of erosion. The upper gorge road is one of Morocco’s most spectacular drives, with hairpin bends above sheer drops. The Valley of Roses (Kelaat M’Gouna) sits at the valley’s western end — every May the town holds a rose festival that draws thousands of visitors. The Skoura oasis, with its magnificent palm grove and Amridil Kasbah, lies just west.