The starkly beautiful Jebel Sarhro (aka Jebel Saghro or Djebel Sahro) range shrugs its mighty
shoulders between the High Atlas and Dadès Valley. Few tourists venture here: most of the flat-
topped mesas, volcanic pinnacles and deep gorges dotted with palm groves are only
accessible on foot. This arid, isolated territory is home turf to the seminomadic Aït Atta,
legendary warriors famous for their 1933 stand against the French here, on Jebel Bou Gafer.
Jebel Sarhro is accessed from three trekking hubs: Kelaâ M’Gouna and Boumalne du Dadès
on the north side of the range, and the southern village of N’Kob ( Click here ). The most scenic
routes head through the heart of the range, between Igli and Bab n’Ali.
This circuit has one big advantage over the classic Sarhro north–south traverse: it begins and
ends on the north side of the mountains, so you can easily resume journeys to Dadès gorges,
Merzouga and the dunes. Tents could be used, but staying in gîtes or chez l ’ habitant is
preferable in winter, when you may wake to find a metre of snow has fallen overnight.