Todra Gorge: Our Detailed Guide To Hiking This Spectacular Canyon In Morocco

Todra Gorge is a striking natural cliff-sided canyon, or wadi, in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, that was carved by the forces of the Todra River for ages. It is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and is situated near the town of Tinerhir (Tinghir), a gateway to the High Atlas's rugged beauty.

Todra Gorge features towering orange limestone cliffs that reach up to 400 metres (1,300 feet) into the sky. It stretches over 40 kilometres (25 miles), although the most spectacular stretch covers 600 metres (0.37 miles). The todra is at its most breathtaking where the canyon narrows to a mere 10 metres (33 feet) wide. Here, you're presented with a vivid contrast between the towering cliffs above and the narrow path below.

As you gaze up from the base of the gorge, the sheer scale of the cliffs envelops you, creating a feeling of insignificance in the best possible way.

If you are travelling with Skyhook on our Morocco Highlights trip, local guides will pick you up from the airport in Casablanca, and finally take you to Todra Gorge on the fifth day. You can choose to hike the canyon or relax at the bottom of the gorge.

We recommend visiting this gorge as part of a longer Morrocco itinerary. So, if you're taking up from these cities, here are different ways to reach the cliffs:

From Marrakech, book a direct bus to Tinghir. You can also rent a car or take a taxi, following the N9 towards Ouarzazate, then the N10 towards Tinghir, and finally towards Todra Gorge.

The drive can take about 6 hours.

See the best time to visit Marrakech, and the things to do in Marrakech before heading out.

If from Casablanca, travel to Marrakech or Ouarzazate first. From there, take a bus or taxi to Todra Gorge, using major highways like the A7 (to Marrakech) and then the N9 through the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, and the N10 to Tinghir.

Worthy read: Which is better to visit Casablanca or Marrakech?

From Ouarzazate, a taxi or car rental is very practical, especially taking the N9 road to Skoura, then continuing on the N10 to Tinghir, and finally towards Todra Gorge. The drive takes approximately 2-3 hours.

On day 5 of our Morocco Highlights tour, we take you to Todra Gorge where you can spend the day hiking solo. Here's our recommended hiking plan that will help you cover 11 km to and fro, and hike for about three and a half hours:

Start your hike at the gravel car park, marked on maps and easily identifiable by its proximity to the gorge's narrowest point. Look for the concrete steps - these will lead you up the valley. You want to follow the path as it ascends gently so that the dry riverbed is about 50m to your right. After about 30 minutes, you'll encounter a section where the path turns left and begins to zig-zag up a ravine. This is the steepest part but is relatively short.

Past the ravine, you'll reach a saddle between the mountains. Continue eastwards down a shallow ravine, with the dry riverbed still to your right. The path will lead you through a nomadic settlement. Navigate through the settlement, aiming for the ridge from where the path descends into the village.

Take a moment to explore the area and observe the traditional way of life. Then, cross the river and walk through the lush Tinghir Oasis towards the road on the other side.

Turn left at the road and follow it up through the gorge for stunning views of the towering cliffs. Finally, complete the loop by going back to the car park.

One of the most enriching aspects of hiking Todra Gorge is the opportunity to engage with the local Berber communities while exploring the rich geography of the canyons. These indigenous people have adapted their lifestyles to the challenging environment of the Atlas Mountains. Along the hike, you may encounter Berber shepherds tending to their flocks and visit nomadic camps set high in the hills.

You have to consider Morocco travel essentials when going to Todra Gorge. A hike through the gorge of Todra is, at best, easy. You will be done in about three hours with almost no technicalities.

However, we recommend you wear sturdy hiking boots, carry at least 1 litre of water per person, snacks, and sun protection - including a hat since you will not have any shade.

Also, download offline maps (e.g., Maps.me) for easy navigation and to track your progress. It is also best to start early to avoid the midday heat and to enjoy the gorge in the softer morning light.

The gorge is easy to hike, even for beginners, especially when you do so in spring and autumn. During these seasons, the weather is cool and the riverbeds will be dry - plus, the views are just phenomenal.

If you plan your hike for April and May, you will enjoy the best climate when the winter snow has melted and there is minimum rainfall to make the paths impassable. It is also when the canyons show their best colours!

It is probably best to avoid hiking in summer as it will be too hot, with temperatures easily soaring above 40°C. This would make it incredibly difficult to enjoy the hike - even though you can have the place all to yourself. If you do find yourself here in summer, best to start your hike very early in the morning and be back by midday.

If in Morocco, you definitely want to visit and explore Todra Gorge. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the town of Tinghir. Besides the views of these river canyons, you're also in for a treat exploring abandoned mud castles and interacting with local settlers in Berber villages - and nomadic settlers who set up tents or take shelter inside caves along the paths.

The adventure only needs a day to complete, so we recommend planning a longer trip with Skyhook to ensure you're making the most of your visit to Morocco.