Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
above the beautiful valley. Next, the
piste
leads out of the valley into a rocky, windy
steppe.
After 1½ hours from Assaka spent wedged between 2000m ridges, you'll arrive at
Tag-
mout
(also called Amgroud after one of the mountains overlooking the village) and a well-
kept
gîte
(per person Dh30, breakfast Dh25)
with electricity, mattresses, blankets and possibly
lunch (Dh25 to Dh30).
From Tagmout the
piste
leads northwest to Kelaâ M'Gouna and south to N'Kob, with
transport headed to N'Kob's
Sunday souq
. The trek heads due north, climbing over an hour
to
Tizi n'Tagmout
(1754m) for stunning views to the M'Goun Massif. Another hour leads to
El-Mersse
, where shade and a year-round spring facilitate camping.
The track continues due north, mostly in gentle descent, but with occasional climbs.
Less than 1½ hours after El-Mersse, there's a riverside campsite at
Tidkit
under shade trees
and it may be possible to sleep
chez l'habitant
here or in
Achmrah
, another hour down the
track. However, the Berbers on this side of Jebel Saghro are seminomadic and may be ab-
sent April to May. If the houses are empty, the animal shelters will be too - a less glamor-
ous but practical place to sleep.
Day 5: Achmrah to Kelaâ M'Gouna
DURATION FOUR HOURS / DISTANCE 14KM / ASCENT 150M / DESCENT 450M
The best parts of this morning walk are the beginning and end. The track north of Achm-
rah makes a short climb, suddenly revealing M'Goun and Siroua vistas. Less than half an
hour later, it crosses a
piste
that leads to an anthracite mine and should not be followed.
Instead continue north, occasionally northwest, on a well-worn track that leads down a
gully towards the Dadès Valley. As you get closer, you will see the villages of
Aït Youl
on
your left,
Aït Haroun
on the right, and a valley studded with old kasbahs. Head for Aït
Haroun, where there is a bridge over the Dadès River. The Boumalne-Kelaâ M'Gouna
road is nearby, but long after you return to the modern world, Saghro's seminomadic spirit
stays with you.
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