VISITS TO SKOURA, THE VALLEY OF THE ROSES AND THE DADéS GORGE

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About 40 km east of Ouarzazate, and following what is popularly known as the “Route of the Thousand Kasbahs“, Appears the city (or rather the set of small towns) of Skoura. We chose it as the end and beginning of the stage, escaping a little from the bustle of Ouarzazate and looking for a special place, and we got it! Here we tell you the trip by car from Skoura until the Dadés Gorgepassing through Valley of the Roses.

Of the hypothetical thousand Kasbahs of the entire route, a good part are concentrated by the famous Skoura palm grove. But undoubtedly the one that takes all eyes, for its excellent state of preservation (and who knows if also for being next to the main road) is the Kasbah Amridil. Its origin dates back to the seventeenth century, and since then it has been owned by the same family, which explains its little deterioration.

And it is that the kasbahs in this area of Morocco appear almost out of nowhere, with its characteristic silhouette that reminds us of the crumbling sand castles. Many of these treasures have disappeared almost completely over time, but you can still find some examples that show the magnificence of these palaces, such as the Kasbah Amridil.

But beware, because to the traditional square shape with four towers in each corner, more recent elements have been added, and even a hotel. When you arrive you will see two tickets: "The main entrance" and "The official entrance" ... It is the latter (on the right side) that gives access to the old Kasbah. There, different rooms are spread over several floors, where you can see the tools and instruments used in the past, a couple of courtyards and the terrace at the top. The rooms have virtually no decoration, but it will give you a very rough idea of how these homes turned out hundreds of years ago.

The entrance costs 20 dirhams and the guide charges 60 dirhams. If you want to visit the other side for the other entrance you will have to pay a different entrance of also 20 dirhams.

If you want to continue exploring the Skoura Palm Grove, we were advised to do so by hiring a guide. Apparently there are several dirt tracks and it is better to be guided (and carried) by someone who knows the area. But we settle for this short time, and continue the route to Valley of the Roses.

It will not be difficult to recognize it: as you approach, the posters announcing products made with “rose water” will become more present. Until you reach Kelaa M'gounawhere does the Valley of the Roses, which reaches about 30 km north to Bou Tharar. It is a particularly fertile area (although we did not think so), which is used to grow this delicate flower in the months of April and May. If your trip coincides at this time, it is an almost obligatory visit, in another case (like ours), it can be a nice drive, at the beginning with several kasbahs in ruins in a very cool environment (there is a viewpoint on the left at the beginning very cool) and later small villages and mountains that change color. But we think the most beautiful are the first km.

You can also take advantage of the passage through Kelaa M'gouna to buy some perfume and even learn more about the distillation process. There are several stores and cooperatives where to do it, we stopped on a road and the prices really did not convince us.

Although if you plan to visit the other two great valleys of this route (the Gorge of Dadés and the Gorge of Todra), you may go through the Valley of the Roses Don't assume any very special experience. In addition the road is much narrower than the others and every time you cross a car you will have a duel to see who is the last one who turns the steering wheel and puts the wheels out of the asphalt. And finally, we had the feeling that they looked at us weird!

However, there is another valley, not far from here, which will take your breath away. We talk, of course, about the Dadés Gorge. Take the left turn on Boumaln Dadès and follow the road that goes up the Dades River inland. Its waters, which come from the high mountains of the Atlas, have drawn a landscape worthy of the best painter. The bare rock walls show their layers of different shades, and the rounded shapes of the so-called "Monkey Fingers" complete this work of art.

Although if something is known the Gorge of Dadés is for the stretch of road that winds to save one of the narrowings. It is located about 30 km from the detour and on top is the restaurant-hotel Timzzillite Chez Mohamed where you can park quietly and take the photos you want.

The road along the Dadés Gorge It is in good condition. We continue about 15 km further north from this restaurant to see what we were, but the landscape was not so impressive (if you pass a rather handsome narrowing), and we turned around.

We finish the stage in the middle of the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs in the heart of it Dades Valley, in the Chez Ichou Hotel. Without a doubt, one of the most impressive days and that we had marked in our calendar.

The Dadés Gorge It is one of the strengths of a trip through southern Morocco and an unmissable place in the heart of the Route of the Thousand Kasbas. We hope you want to visit it with this post!