The Todra Gorge, also known as Todgha Gorge, is one of the most beautiful places in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The Todra Gorge was formed by the river that flows through the limestone rocks, creating a spectacular 15-kilometer-long (9.3-mile-long) canyon enclosed by vertical cliffs reaching heights of up to 300 meters (984 feet) in some places. Here, you can enjoy a breathtaking hike, and in the middle of the Todra Gorge, you’ll find a beautiful eco-lodge.
A Unique Eco-Lodge Surrounded by Orange Rock Formations
Most people who visit the Todra Gorge stay in the nearby town of Tinerhir. However, there is one hotel that is situated right in the canyon. You can drive five kilometers (3.1 miles) into the Todra Gorge on an impressive road until you reach the eco-lodge Auberge Le Festival. The road is paved, so you don’t need a 4×4 to reach it. It is located in the heart of the Todra Gorge, in an exceptional middle-of-nowhere spot. The eco-lodge is built with natural materials from the surroundings, and some rooms are particularly special. You can sleep in a room carved into the rocks, giving you a unique experience of staying in a luxurious “cave.”
Note: Auberge Le Festival has only 7 rooms and is the only accommodation located in the middle of the Todra Gorge. So, if you want to stay there, make sure to book in advance.
Hiking in the Todra Gorge
The area is popular among climbers, but there are also several beautiful hiking trails. We recommend a 3-hour hike that starts from the parking lot. It involves a gentle ascent, and you’ll encounter few people along the way. The landscapes resemble those of the United States, but once you reach the top, you’ll immediately see that you’re in Morocco. There, you’ll find a nomadic family who will invite you to have a cup of mint tea. They expect a small contribution, but it’s a unique experience to see how these people live in such remote and simple conditions. Afterward, you continue your way downhill until you reach the main road. From there, you walk back to the parking lot. If a 3-hour hike sounds too tiring, you can also take a shorter walk from the hotel.
Location and Route of the Hike in Todra Gorge
As far as we know, this hike doesn’t have an official name, but you can find the route on the maps.me app. You can recognize the starting point by the parking lot just past the tourist area of Todra Gorge. You can find the exact location by searching for the following coordinates in the app: 31.589090, -5.5968. The route follows a U-shape, so you end up back on the road at the end. From there, you can walk back to the parking lot.
Extra Tips for Todra Gorge
- If you depart from Merzouga around 9:30 AM, you’ll have enough time to quickly check in at your hotel and then do the hike. If you can’t make it, you can also do the hike the next morning.
- Bring enough water on hot days because there’s nothing available for purchase along the way except for a cup of tea with the nomads.
- In maps.me, there are two locations for the hotel. The closest one is taken from the location on Booking.com, but it’s incorrect. You need to drive five kilometers (3.1 miles) further into Todra Gorge, and then you’ll see it on your left.
