Getting There & Away
Minibuses run from Boumalne du Dadès to Ikniouln (Dh25), at the northern edge of the range,
departing around noon and returning to Boumalne early the next morning. There may be extra
buses on Wednesdays, when Ikniouln has its weekly souq.
THE TREK AT A GLANCE
Duration five to six days
Distance 56km
Standard medium
Start Tagdilt
Finish Kelaâ M’Gouna
Highest Point Tizi n’Ouarg (approximately 2300m)
Accommodation camping and gîtes/chez l’habitant
Public Transport yes
Summary A great alternative to the classic Sarhro traverse, showcasing the staggering and varied beauty of the range. Given
demanding climbs and long days of walking, you might add another night to the route.Day 1: Tagdilt to the Assif Ouarg Valley
4HR/17KM/200M ASCENT
Tagdilt is an uninspiring village but a useful trailhead, with three gîtes and a daily camionette
(pick-up truck) from Boumalne. For 2½ hours, you could follow the piste used by vans crossing
the mountain to N’Kob, or veer onto the track that occasionally strays to the side, rejoining the
piste further up the slope.
At Imi n’Ouarg , the third village above Tagdilt, the path leaves the road (which continues to
mines at Tiouit). The path turns right (southwest) beside the village school, marked by a
Moroccan flag. There’s a nice lunch stop to the right, just beyond the village.
The path follows the right-hand side of the winding Assif Ouarg valley, beneath the summit of
Jebel Kouaouch (2592m). After an hour (about 3km), there’s a farm above terraced fields
where you can stay chez l’habitant ( 0661 08 23 21; per person Dh30-50) . The host’s
sons can be hired as muleteers and hot meals may be available.
Day 2: Assif Ouarg Valley to Igli
6-7 HR/19KM/620M ASCENT/860M DESCENT
The most memorable walk on this trek is also the most difficult, starting with a 35-minute climb
towards the head of the valley, with a scattering of stone houses and rocks ahead. The path
leads left (south) and Jebel Kouaouch is the highest of a row of peaks straight ahead. The
path zigzags over a stream, up towards Kouaouch and a lone juniper tree – a good place for a
breather. Depending on fitness and weather, it could take another hour to reach the pass. As
you climb, there are good views back towards Tagdilt, and once over the ridge, the High Atlas
and Jebel Sarhro come into view.