Page 279 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

OU ARZAZA TE & THE SOUTHERN O ASES  277

surrounded by fig, almond
and walnut trees and poplars.
About 2 km (1 mile) from
Boumalne, in a bend in the road,
stands the Aït Mouted Kasbah,
which once belonged to the
Glaoui. Here and there, large
constructions in brown breeze-
block, built by emigrants who
have returned to Morocco,
stand out as unfortunate
blots on the landscape.
As it rises, the road passes
some dramatic geological
limestone folds which have
been shaped by erosion. At
the foot of these natural
formations stand the ruins of
the Aït Arbi Kasbah. Further
on are the stone and pisé
Tamnalt Kasbahs, whose
slender towers rise up against
a backdrop of rocks that seem
to be pressed together sideways
like the fingers of a human hand.
The Rose Festival in El-Kelaa M’Gouna Beyond Aït Oudinar, the road
crosses Wadi Dadès, following
Environs the view stretches over the the bottom of the gorge
Between Skoura and El-Kelaa fertile Dadès Oasis. At Tizzarouine between sheer cliffs. It then
M’Gouna, kasbahs are set Kasbah, from where there are runs along the edge of deep
among greenery throughout fine views, guides offer tours canyons, home to royal eagles
the Dadès valley. The modern and camping trips in the High and vultures. On the plateau,
concrete houses that line Atlas and Jbel Sarhro. the valley widens again, and
the roads here are an artless attractive stone and pisé villages
imitation of these fine overlook the opposite riverbank.
traditional buildings. Ruined The road running up the
kasbahs are now part of the gorge from Boumalne du Dadès
local landscape. From offices is metalled as far Msemrir, 60 km
on the way out of El-Kelaa (37 miles) to the north. The final
M’Gouna, many hikes and tours stretch before Msemrir passes
by four-wheel-drive vehicle through much wilder country
are organized, parti cularly to than in the lower part of the
the Vallée des Roses and gorge. Beyond Msemrir, a track
to the ksar at Bou Thrarar, a that is passable only by four-
breathtaking mountain tour. wheel-drive vehicle leads east
Further into the interior of to the Todra gorge and north
the High Atlas some impressive to the High Atlas and Imilchil.
gorges lead to the remote
M’Goun valley. It is best to
hire a guide because the
tracks are not signposted.
The Aït Mouted Kasbah, in the
q Boumalne du Dadès gorge
Dadès w Dadès Gorge
Road Map D4. * 13,000. Road Map D3. Grand taxi
n Tizzarouine kasbah; (0524) 88 24 from Boumalne du Dadès.
85 (Ouarzazate). ( Wed. ( Sat in Msemrir.
This pleasant stopping place Bordered by greenery,
at the beginning of the Dadès the course of Wadi Dadès
gorge is a regional admin istrative stands out against the rocky
centre. From the edge of the landscape. Cultivated land Tamnalt Kasbah in the Dadès gorge with a
plateau above the town, on the banks of the wadi is dramatic rocky backdrop
For hotels and restaurants see pp312–13 and pp329–30

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