Dades Canyon hike Boumalne Dades 7–10 km Monkey Finger

Seven to ten kilometers of river descent, canyon canyoning, and Berber village views

A 7–10 kilometer hike in Boumalne Dades that starts at Monkey Finger's viewpoint and descends to the Dades River, passes through the Valley of Roses, and enters Dades Canyon for 1.5 hours of canyoning among towering sandstone cliffs. The route climbs to the canyon summit for 360-degree views of the valley and surrounding Berber villages, then concludes with a guided tour of historic kasbahs and ancient granaries. A professional mountain guide leads the day, which takes around three hours total and includes water, coffee, nuts and dates in the canyon.

The experience

The hike begins at the Monkey Finger's viewpoint, where your guide briefs you on the route and hands you a bottle of water. From there you descend to the Dades River, learning about the traditional farming and irrigation systems that have shaped this landscape for generations. A 30-minute walk through the Valley of Roses and fig trees follows, a gentler stretch before the terrain steepens into Dades Canyon itself.

Once in the canyon, you spend 1.5 hours canyoning through the rock formations: moving through sections where the guide offers a hand to steady you, with flatter stretches in between. The sandstone cliffs tower overhead, and you'll have time to pause, take photographs, and rest. Coffee, nuts and dates are served here, a quiet moment in the natural setting before the ascent begins. The climb to the canyon's summit takes you to a point where the view opens in all directions: the Dades Valley spreads below, and Berber villages dot the surrounding slopes.

The final section is a cultural tour of the area's heritage: ancient granaries and historic kasbahs that reveal the region's Amazigh Berber history. Most of the walk back is flat. The full distance depends on your pace and how many stops you make for photographs. The guide adjusts the route to match your preferences. The hike suits all fitness levels, though the canyon sections do require some scrambling and handholds.

What’s included

• Professional mountain guide leading the full route.
• bottle of water at the start.
• coffee, nuts and dates served in the canyon.
• cultural and historical tour of kasbahs and granaries.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 to 60 years) · Infant (under 10)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meeting point and start point of the hike is at : RESTAURANT LA VALLEE ET FIGUES A 18, km de boumalne sur la vallée des gorge du dades, tamlalt 45150, Morocco”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Morocco Exposure

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, French, German, or Arabic, so you follow the commentary in whichever language suits you best. The hike covers 7–10 kilometers depending on your pace and photo stops, and the canyon sections involve some handholds and scrambling, but the route is designed for all fitness levels, with flat stretches and time to rest built in.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

45 verified traveler reviews

5 ★44

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 10).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the hike actually take from start to finish?

The full day runs around three hours, though this includes the briefing, the cultural tour at the end, and time spent resting and photographing in the canyon.

What's the Dades River section like, and how much time do you spend there?

The Dades River is where the hike begins after your descent from Monkey Finger's viewpoint. You learn about traditional farming and irrigation systems along the way, then walk for 30 minutes through the Valley of Roses and fig trees before entering the canyon itself.

Is the canyon canyoning difficult, or do you need climbing experience?

The 1.5 hours in Dades Canyon involves moving through rock formations with some sections where the guide offers a hand to help you through. The rest is flat walking, and the hike is suitable for all fitness levels, so no prior climbing experience is needed.

What happens at the canyon summit, and can you really see the villages from there?

At the summit, you reach a point with 360-degree panoramic views of the Dades Valley and the Berber villages scattered across the surrounding slopes. This is where you pause to take in the landscape before the descent and cultural tour begin.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes a professional mountain guide, water, coffee with nuts and dates served in the canyon, and a guided cultural tour of historic kasbahs and ancient granaries. Lunch with a local Berber family or an outdoor picnic is available separately for 150 MAD per person.