Dades Gorges and the Rose Valley: A Local Guide (and How to Ride Them)
Red cliffs, mud-brick villages, green fields along the river and a road that twists up the side of the canyon: the Dades Gorges are one of the great sights of southern Morocco. Just next door is the Rose Valley, famous for its damask roses. Here is our guide to both, and how we ride through them on the old caravan road.
Quick answer: The Dades Gorges are a red-rock canyon on the south side of the High Atlas, above the town of Boumalne Dades, between Ouarzazate and Tinghir. The Rose Valley (the M’Goun valley around Kelaat M’Gouna) is close by. The best seasons are spring and autumn; the roses bloom in spring. Our Caravan Road gravel bike tour rides from the Skoura oasis through the Rose Valley to the Dades Gorges.
Where Are the Dades Gorges?
The Dades valley runs between the High Atlas and the Jebel Saghro, on the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” between Ouarzazate and Tinghir. The gorges start above the town of Boumalne Dades, where the river cuts through layers of red and ochre rock. From Marrakech it is a long day’s drive over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which is why most visitors come on a multi-day trip.
What to See
- The gorge road: the famous zig-zag road that climbs out of the canyon, with a viewpoint café at the top.
- Rock formations: rounded red cliffs and strange eroded shapes along the valley.
- Kasbahs and villages: old earth-built houses above green fields of wheat, almond and walnut trees.
- The Rose Valley: hedges of damask roses between the fields, and rose water and rose products in the local shops.
Riding the Dades on Our Caravan Road Tour
Our Caravan Road Gravel Bike Tour is built around this region. On day 3 you ride from Souk El Had across the Azaghar plateau, nomad country where some Berber families still live in caves, then through the Kati gorges and the Rose Valley to the Dades Gorges: 68 km, +800 m / -490 m, with a night in a guesthouse. The next day you ride on from the Dades over the rocky Jebel Saghro (68 km), and then down the old caravan route into the Draa Valley.
| Tour | Duration | Riding | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caravan Road Gravel Bike Tour | 8 days | 5 days, 281 km, about 3,700 m climbing | 1,100 € |
Best Time to Visit
- Spring (March to May): green fields, mild days and the rose harvest in the Rose Valley.
- Autumn (September to November): stable weather and warm colours.
- Summer: hot in the valley, cooler higher up the gorges.
- Winter: sunny days but cold nights, and snow is possible on the passes.
Dades Gorges: FAQ
Where are the Dades Gorges?
In southern Morocco, above the town of Boumalne Dades, between Ouarzazate and Tinghir, on the south side of the High Atlas.
What is the Rose Valley?
The M’Goun valley around Kelaat M’Gouna, next to the Dades, known for the damask roses grown between the fields and for its rose water.
Can you cycle the Dades Gorges?
Yes. Our Caravan Road Gravel Bike Tour rides through the Rose Valley to the Dades Gorges and on over the Jebel Saghro, with a 4×4 support vehicle every day.
When is the best time to visit the Dades Gorges?
Spring and autumn. Spring is also the season of the roses in the Rose Valley.
Plan Your Trip
See all our bike tours in Morocco or contact our local team for a private tour through the Dades and the south.
Do it with a local guide
Small groups or private tours from Marrakech · licensed local guides · 4×4 support or mules · reply within 24 hours.
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