High Atlas Mountains, Morocco
North Africa’s highest mountain range, the High Atlas, is referred to by the Berber people as ‘Idraren Draren’ (Mountains of Mountains) and it is a delight to the eyes and a hiker’s paradise from spring through to autumn.
The “High Atlas” mountains stretch diagonally across Morocco for almost 1,000 km from near the Atlantic Coast in the west, up to the northeast towards Algeria. To its immediate north lies the “Middle Atlas” mountains and to its south is the “Anti-Atlas”, also known as the “Little Atlas”, which runs diagonally along the fringes of the Sahara Desert, along the Algerian border.
The many saw-toothed peaks of the High Atlas, some over 4,000 m high, act as an efficient weather barrier between the mild Mediterranean climate to the north and the encroaching sweltering winds from the Sahara Desert in the south. Its many high peaks can be snow covered between September and May which allow for skiing. In spring the melting snow provides ample water which flows into the fertile valleys. Unless you are planning winter sports, the best time to visit is from June to the end of October.
The road northwards from Tamtattouchte to Agoudal via the small village of Ait Hani is very scenic. From Agoudal the road goes north to Imilchil and its twin lakes, or alternatively choose the tiny dirt road southwest towards Dadès Gorges. This road is not for the faint-hearted, especially if you don’t have a 4×4 or off-road vehicle. Go ahead and take this road, the next 100 km to Dadès Gorges is an experience you will never forget!
The mountain scenery is stunning and the road is somewhat nerve-racking.
All adds to an adrenalin rush which you can reset once you have successfully passed through the hairpin winding road of “Dadès Gorges Road” immediately north of Dadès Gorges village. A road referred to as one of the most dangerous in the world!
THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE IN
Globerovers Magazine July 2017
Drive from Agoudal south to Dadès Gorges, Morocco
Drive from Agoudal south to Dadès Gorges, Morocco
Drive from Agoudal south to Dadès Gorges, Morocco
Drive from Agoudal south to Dadès Gorges, Morocco
Drive from Agoudal south to Dadès Gorges, Morocco
THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE IN
Globerovers Magazine July 2017
JUMP TO THESE MOROCCAN PLACES…
Gorges du Todgha
Tamtattouchte
Gorges du Dadès
Fint Oasis
Aït Benhaddou
Marrakech
Essaouira
El Jadida
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