Dadès Gorge is one of southern Morocco's great drives — a red-and-pink rock canyon carved by the Dadès River, lined with kasbahs and Berber villages. For expats, it's a classic long-weekend road trip out of Marrakech, often paired with Todra Gorge and the desert.
What you're looking at
Above the town of Boumalne Dadès, the gorge road (R704) climbs through dramatic canyon walls, past the famous tight switchbacks and rock formations like the "Monkey Fingers." The valley floor stays green with palms and small farms, a sharp contrast to the bare cliffs. It sits on the well-known "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs."
Visiting as a resident
It's about 320 km from Marrakech (5–6 hours) via Ouarzazate, so it's an overnight trip rather than a day out. A hire car gives the most freedom; buses and shared taxis reach Boumalne Dadès, from where local taxis run up the gorge. Many people combine it with Aït Benhaddou, Todra Gorge, and Merzouga or Zagora for the dunes.
Good to know
- Best in spring and autumn; winter nights are cold at altitude.
- Fuel up before the gorge — stations are sparse.
- There are good-value guesthouses right in the gorge to break the drive.
- It's a day of driving each way — plan at least one overnight.
Related
- Living in Morocco — the full expat guide
- Getting around in Morocco — driving and intercity transport
- Erg Chigaga — Saharan dunes further south