Dades Valley

Dades Valley, the land of a thousand kasbas.

From Ouarzazate to Boulmane du Dades, you will travel across 105 miles of some of the most surprising landscapes Morocco has to offer.

Nestled in between the jbel Sarho and the High Atlas Mountains, the Dades Valley winds its way through a dry, desert-like countryside and provides moisture for a series of oases.

All along the way, built up against ochre and red colored cliff sides, the kasbas, the great, fortified buildings, bear witness to the atmosphere of danger that ruled in this region in days gone by. Often abandoned for more modern housing, the kasbas are in real danger of disappearing, especially the el Kabbaba, Dar Aïchil, Dar Aït Souss, and Amerhidi kasbas.

The Skoura Palm Orchard, created in the 12th century by Yacoub el Mansour, invites you into its verdant green oasis. The Skoura and Amerhidil ravines provide water for a number of date, fig, and almond orchards. This is where the best dates in Morocco are produced. It's also a winter refuge for a number of migratory birds. Among the many kasbas around the oasis, Ben Moro and Amerhidil are well worth the visit.

Next, the road will take you to one of the most beautiful rose nurseries in the valley.

Once you reach Boulmane, the valley becomes narrower, there is less and less vegetation, and you are in the Dades gorges.

These two cliffs with peaks of 980 feet separated by a narrow gorge of 65 feet make for an unforgettable sight.

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