Dades Gorge: Why This Winding Canyon Road Is a Photographer's Favorite
The switchback road through Dades Gorge is one of the most photographed stretches of road in Morocco, and one of the more memorable stops on the way to the desert.
Between Ouarzazate and the Sahara, the road climbs through Dades Gorge's red rock walls and hairpin switchbacks — a stop that's built into the route to Merzouga, not an add-on.
The switchback road itself
The road through Dades Gorge climbs out of Boumalne Dades along the N10, following the Dades River as it cuts through layered red and ochre rock. The core switchback section — the part everyone photographs, where the road folds back on itself against the cliff face — takes well under an hour to drive on its own, though almost nobody drives it without stopping. Small villages cling to the valley floor and the terraced fields below, and pullouts along the switchbacks give clear views back down the gorge. It's part of the route between Ouarzazate and the desert, not a side trip, which is why our tours that run this leg treat it as a scheduled stop rather than an optional detour.
The "Monkey Fingers" rock formations
A few kilometres past the village of Aït Oudinar, erosion has carved a cluster of rock pillars into shapes that locals nicknamed the "Monkey Fingers" — tall, rounded fingers of stone standing apart from the cliff face, formed over a very long time as softer rock wore away faster than the harder layers around it. They're one of the more distinctive formations along the gorge and an easy, short stop rather than a hike; you can see them clearly from the road or walk a short distance for a closer look. Photographers tend to linger here longer than anywhere else in the gorge, especially in the late afternoon when the light picks out the texture in the rock.
Kasbahs and villages along the valley
Dades Gorge sits at the western end of what's loosely called the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs," and the fortified mudbrick villages along the valley are part of what makes the drive worth doing slowly rather than rushing through. Boumalne Dades, at the gorge's entrance, is the practical gateway town with guesthouses and basic services. Further up the valley, small settlements like Aït Oudinar sit built into the hillside, still working agricultural communities rather than attractions built for visitors. None of these individual villages is a must-see landmark on its own, but together they give the gorge a lived-in, rural character that's different from the more monumental stops elsewhere on a desert route.
Is it worth an overnight stop?
Whether an overnight stop is worth it depends on how much time your itinerary has to spend. Several kasbah-style guesthouses in the gorge offer comfortable rooms with views of the switchbacks and valley, and staying overnight lets you see the gorge in both late afternoon and early morning light, when it's quietest. On a tighter schedule, it's entirely possible to drive through, stop for the Monkey Fingers and a few viewpoints, and continue on toward Merzouga the same day — which is how many of our shorter desert tours handle it. Longer itineraries with a spare day tend to get more out of staying, since the gorge itself doesn't need to be rushed.
Related tours
4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
A round trip from Marrakech to the Sahara with an extra day worked into the return leg — the same Atlas and kasbah route out, plus Rissani's market and a Kasbah Telouet stop on the way back.
View Details
4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
The Fes-to-Marrakech desert crossing with an extra day built around Merzouga — Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forest, a full day in the dunes, and Ait Ben Haddou on the way in.
View DetailsRelated guides: Dades Gorge, Ouarzazate
Planning where to start? See tours from Marrakech, tours from Fes.
Related reading: Marrakech to Merzouga: Every Way to Reach the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate to Merzouga: What's on the Road Through the Dades and Todra.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive through Dades Gorge?
The main switchback section takes well under an hour on its own, but most travelers spend longer stopping for photos and viewpoints along the way.
Is Dades Gorge worth an overnight stop?
It can be if your itinerary has a spare day — staying overnight means seeing the gorge in quieter, better light. On a tighter schedule, driving through with a few stops works fine too.
What are the "Monkey Fingers" rock formations?
They're a cluster of eroded rock pillars near Aït Oudinar, nicknamed for their tall, rounded shape. It's a short, easy stop right off the road.
Is it safe to drive through the gorge at night?
The road is paved but narrow with sharp switchbacks and no barriers in places, so it's best driven in daylight. Our tours schedule this leg during the day for exactly that reason.
Is Dades Gorge on the route to Merzouga?
Yes — it sits directly on the overland route between Ouarzazate and the Sahara, so it's a natural stop rather than a detour.
Can you see the gorge on a day tour, or do you need extra days?
A stop of an hour or two covers the switchbacks and the Monkey Fingers comfortably. You only need an extra day if you specifically want to stay overnight.
Do Through Morocco's desert tours stop here?
Yes, our tours running between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Merzouga build in a stop at Dades Gorge as part of the drive.