Tafraoute Hikes
Djbel lkest 2375M | Adad N'mdni 1470M | Amlen valley | Ait Mansour gorge | Painted rocks
About Tafraoute Region
Tafraoute is a small Berber town hidden in the heart of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, known for its warm hospitality, dramatic landscapes, and peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by pink granite rocks that glow at sunrise and sunset, the region offers some of the most unique scenery in southern Morocco.
The valleys around Tafraoute are filled with palm groves, ancient villages, and terraced fields shaped by centuries of Amazigh tradition. Its mountains provide endless opportunities for hiking, trekking, and rock climbing, with trails for both beginners and experienced adventurers. Tafraoute is also famous for the Ameln Valley, the Blue Rocks, and quiet scenic routes that reveal the authentic rural life of the region.
Tafraoute Single day Hikes
TRAIL 1: Hike in the Amlen valley and ancient village “Oumesnat”
Option 1: full day walk in the Ameln valley (9.00 till 16.00)
You will cross the granite hills surrounding Tafraoute to reach the Amlen Valley via an ancient mule and camel path. During this hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the old villages, astonishing paths through olive groves and palm trees, and walk along irrigation canals.
At the old village of Oumesnat, you will explore an entirely ancient ruined village, where you will visit the Berber traditional house museum to discover how people lived in the village a hundred years ago. You will also enjoy a fine mint tea accompanied by live Berber music.
The hike ends at the center of Amlen Valley, where arranged transportation will take you back to the hotel, just a 4 km drive.
Prices & Includes:
- 300 dirhams / € 30,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ picnic/ entrance to museum ,4 persons+)
- 370 dirhams / € 37,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ picnic/ entrance to museum ,3 persons)
- 420 dirhams / € 42,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ picnic/ entrance to museum ,2 persons)
Option 2: Half day walk in the Ameln valley (9.00 till 12.00)
Arranged transportation will pick you up from Tafraoute and take you to the middle of the Amlen Valley. During this hike, you will enjoy beautiful views of the old villages, astonishing paths through olive groves and palm trees, and walk along irrigation canals.
At the old village of Oumesnat, you will explore an entirely ancient ruined village, where you will visit the Berber traditional house museum to discover how people lived there a hundred years ago. You will also enjoy a fine mint tea accompanied by live Berber music.
The hike ends at the same starting point in the Amlen Valley, where transportation will take you back to the hotel, just a 4 km drive.
Prices & Includes:
- 185 dirhams / € 18,50 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ entrance to museum ,4 persons+)
- 200 dirhams / € 20,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ entrance to museum ,3 persons)
- 260 dirhams / € 26,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide/ entrance to museum ,2 persons)
TRAIL 2: Loop from/to Tafraoute through Tazkka village (rock engraving) - Aday valley and the granite rocks of Tagtou
One day hike (9.00 till 16.00)
Walk from Tafraoute to a very wild area surrounded by huge granite rocks, known as Tagtout by the locals. This site is a perfect place for meditation and inspiration. During this hike, you will enjoy beautiful scenery and panoramic views, passing through Taka Village, the oldest village in Tafraoute—approximately 600 years old—and see the prehistoric gazelle engraving. You will also visit Aday Village, built under a chaotic arrangement of large granite blocks. On the way back, you will pass by nomads’ tents and may even see a herd of goats.
Prices & includes:
- 200 dirhams / € 20,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic 4 persons+)
- 280 dirhams / € 28,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 3 persons)
- 350 dirhams / € 35,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 2 persons)
TRAIL 3: Walk to the blue painted rocks
Option 1: full day walk loop from/to Tafraout (9.00 till 16.00)
During this hike, you will discover a remarkable piece of art created by a Belgian artist—a strange and wonderful installation in the middle of nowhere, with huge granite rocks and boulders painted entirely in blue.
Starting from Tafraoute, you will head to Tazkka Village, crossing the mountain to reach the famous blue rocks. Along the way, you will be fascinated by the shapes of the rocks; for those with a vivid imagination, it is easy to see various animals in their forms.
After enjoying your picnic at the site, you will continue to Aguerd Village, known to tourists as “Napoleon’s Hat,” where naturally piled rocks create a chaotic yet striking formation. From this modernly built village, you will follow a beautiful path back to the hotel.
Prices & includes:
- 200 dirhams / € 20,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic ,4 persons+)
- 280 dirhams / € 28,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic ,3 persons)
- 350 dirhams / € 35,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic ,2 persons)
Option 2: Half day walk, loop from/to napoleon’s hat village (9.00 till 12.00)
Arranged transportation will pick you up from Tafraoute and take you to Aguerd Village—also known as “Napoleon’s Hat.” From there, you will start hiking to the blue rocks along fascinating routes, making a loop back to the starting point, where transportation will take you back to the hotel.
Price & includes:
- 185 dirhams / € 18,50 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide ,4 persons+)
- 200 dirhams / € 20,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide ,3 persons)
- 260 dirhams / € 26,00 p.p. (incl. transport/ guide ,2 persons)
TRAIL 4: Hiking in the gorge/canyon of Ait Mansour
Full day Excursion and hike (9.00 till 16.00)
We will drive 30 km along a beautiful scenic route to reach the Ait Mansour canyon/gorges, where you will enjoy a hike through the valley. The area offers breathtaking landscapes, with rocky and deserted slopes and villages perched on top of cliffs. You will experience fresh air, lush vegetation, and the sounds of birds in the palms, olive trees, and other local trees.
This place allows you to feel the true emotions of a great vacation, complemented by a delicious lunch featuring Berber omelets, couscous, or tagine.
Prices & includes (taxi):
- 520 dirhams / € 52,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ lunch, 4 persons)
- 630 dirhams / € 63,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ lunch, 3 persons)
- 800 dirhams / € 80,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ lunch, 2 persons)
Price (self transportation owners):
- 300 dirhams / € 30.00 p.p. (incl. guide/ lunch, 4 persons)
- 360 dirhams / € 36,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ lunch, 3 persons)
- 450 dirhams / € 45,50 p.p. (incl. guide/ lunch, 2 persons)
TRAIL 5: ASCENSION OF DJBEL LKEST (2375M):
Full day hike to the summit of Djbel lkest (9.00 till 16.00)
Difficulty: medium, the path is walk able but technical, the ascension is steep at the last part
Vertical drops: 1910M (955+ 955- )
The incredible massif of Jebel el Kest forms the spine of the Western Anti-Atlas. The highest point, known as Afa-n-Tmezgadiwine, sits at 2,375 m above sea level and is generally referred to simply as “Jebel el Kest.”
The hike to Mount Jebel el Kest starts from Tagdicht, a mountain village located at 1,420 m above sea level. The drive from Hotel Saint Antoine to the village takes about an hour or less. The ascent to the summit takes approximately 4 hours, with the return to the village taking another 3 hours. You will have an hour pause at the top to enjoy the 360° panoramic view of the region, have lunch, and explore the shelters installed on the summit hundreds of years ago.
Prices & includes (taxi):
- 455 dirhams / € 45,50 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 4 persons)
- 540 dirhams / € 54,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 3 persons)
- 700 dirhams / € 70,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 2 persons)
Prices & includes (self transportation owners):
- 300 dirhams / € 30,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 4 persons)
- 370 dirhams / € 37,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 3 persons)
- 500 dirhams / € 50,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 2 persons)
TRAIL 6: ASCENSION OF DJBEL ADAD N’MDNI (1470M):
Full day hike to the summit of Djbel Adad N’MDNI (9.00 till 19.00)
Difficulty: medium, the path is walk able but technical. Not recommended if you have vertigo.
Vertical drops: 900M (450+ 450- )
We will drive from Tafraoute to Timjicht via Tanalt for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (62 km). The hike to the Adad N’Mdni summit is 3 km and takes about 2 hours. At the top, enjoy a picnic and explore the holy building visited by locals from all over the region in memory of a Muslim saint who was buried there.
On the way back, we will pass by the old abandoned Berber village of Timjichte, where you will have the chance to see the famous and rare dragon tree, which exists in only a few places worldwide. Morocco is the only North African country where this tree grows, specifically in this region.
The return from the summit takes approximately 2 hours to reach the finishing point, after which we will drive back to Tafraoute with a short stop in Tanalt for coffee.
Tarifs & Inclus :
- 455 dirhams / € 45,50 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 4 persons)
- 580 dirhams / € 58,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 3 persons)
- 800 dirhams / € 80,00 p.p. (incl. taxi/ guide/ picnic, 2 persons)
Prices & includes (self transportation owners):
- 300 dirhams / € 30,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 4 persons)
- 370 dirhams / € 37,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 3 persons)
- 500 dirhams / € 50,00 p.p. (incl. guide/ picnic, 2 persons)