Rock Climbing Morocco - Todra Gorge

Rock Climbing Morocco - Todra Gorge

Some footages of several mountaint climbers in Todra Gorge - Tinghir - Morocco

Todra Gorge is known internationally for being one of the premier climbing destinations in Morocco. Located in the south east of the country at the edge of the high Atlas mountains. It will take you about 7 hours drive east of Marrakech to get there, you will cross the Tizi n Tishka pass which is the highest pass in North Africa. Then you will pass through Ouarzazate (Nicknamed Hollywood of Africa for its Movie studios). Then finally you will reach the city called Tinghir (or Tinerhir as some call it) 15 kilometers from there is where the Todgha gorge is.
This fascinating climbing spot offers variety of routes of extreme sport and multi-pitch climbing routes on solid, reddish limestone. the area is not only great for mountain and rock climbing, it is also an amazing cultural adventure, that's what makes it unique from other climbing regions in the Mediterranean area.
So if you want the best combination between rock climbing, cultural exploration and adventure, then todra gorge is the answer, it hosts hundreds of amateur of all kind of climbing throughout the year. There are several hotels, guest houses, and even riads there, from low budget to midrange. the road is pretty much well maintained in most parts, there are even shops nearby where you can rent ropes and all kind of gears you will need to climb the mountains.
The wall of Todra gorge are between 200 and 300 hundred meters (more than 600 ft).

With approximately 400 rock climbs that varies from single-pitch sport routes to long multi-pitch adventures, The routes of Todra gorge are protected by expansion bolts. Some of the recently climbed lines do have glue-in rings on. But the longer routes have a variety of gear depending on how often climbers use them... some of them are fully bolted, others on the other hand will require a supplementary rack of trad gear. It also has other pure trad routes but those ones are not frequently used.

For the Gear:

For sport cragging you'll need a long rope about 60 meters, a rack of 14, couple  slings, few spare karabiners, and maillons.

For the longer routes you will need double ropes, though this is only necessary on some routes. A rack of trad gear. A full set of nuts, a selection of camming devices. Would be better if you bring some extra slings.
Also a helmet is strongly recommended on the multipitch routes.

Todra gorge is suitable for both beginner and experienced climbers, there are even companies both in Marrakech and locally in Tinghir that offer the guided climbing services. (We at the company do not offer such services but we can recommend one if you are interested).

We usually reach the todra gorge on the second day of our three days tour to the Sahara desert. But the visit lasts only between 20 minutes to one hour, because the highlight of the tour is actually the desert erg called Chebbi. So obviously not enough time to do mountain climbing. That is why you have to let us know in advance so we could arrange everything if possible.

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Todra Gorges - Todgha Gorge Tour Excursion

Todra Gorges - Todgha Gorge Tour Excursion

Take a tour in Todgha Gorge in this youtube video:

Todra Gorges (in Berber: ⵜⵉⵣⵉ ⵏ ⵜⵓⴷⵖⴰ; and Arabic: مضايق تودغا‌‎‎) or Todgha Gorges are located at almost 15 mins from the city called Tinghir (or Tinerhir). The Todra Gorge is recognized around the world as one of the most spectacular canyons.

The canyon floor is dry most of the times during the dry season, but there is always a small stream of water, it is at this time when you can easily cross the wadi floor as you could see in the video above. But in winter when it's raining the Todra can expand massively, covering all the canyon floor in a strong torrent, most of the time the color of water changes to brown-ish due to the amont of dust that rain brings with it.

Activities to do in Todra Gorge:
* The Todra Gorge is one of the best climbing destinations in Morocco with high walls offering hundreds of routes of sport and multi-pitch climbing routes on solid, reddish limestone. There are hundreds of high-quality climbing routes rated from easy to extremely hard. The Todra is located in the South East of Morocco. The rock is superb and the walls are very high. 
* Camping is not allowed by water but there are nearby places where you can erect your tent and still be close to the walls and Todra Wadi
* Hiking, too many beautifu lroads and areas to explore.
* The only motel that was inside the gorge is currently closed for safety reasons but they are working on reopening it again.
No big restaurants in the place but You may find fruit juices and sometimes tagines in a  small local restaurant there.

Todra gorge is a main stop in all our Sahara Desert Tours, so on your road to Merzouga for some fascinating camel trekking in the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara desert you will for sure have the chance to visit the gorge. Or if you are staying in a nearby place like Ouarzazate or Tinghir you can do a one day excursion.
For more informations and booking feel free to contact us
 

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Tinghir (Tinerhir)

Tinghir - Tinerhir - Tineghir

Tinghir, also called Tinerhir (in Arabic: تنغير‎‎, and in Tamazight: ⵜⵉⵏⵖⵉⵔ) is a small city in the Southeast of Morocco between the high Atlas mountains and the little Atlas, known for the beautiful Gorges called Todra Gorges.

Watch the city of Tineghir and Todra gorges here:

The Name "Tinghir" in Amazigh language (berber) originally referred to the foothills of the Atlas mountains.
According to the 2014 census, the city of Tinghir counts around 42000 inhabitants, while the whole province has 322400 (Tinghir being the capitale of the province also called Tinghir.
It is one of the major tourist attractions in Morocco not only because of the Todra gorges but also because it is in the middle of one of the biggest oases in southern Morocco. The view of all the palm trees along Todra valley is just fascinating.

The city relies on Tourisme, agriculture, and trade. In the last decade, social and cultural activities have increased remarquably, not only in the center but also in the surrounding villages.. mostly education projects for young children, as well as literacy projects for adults (particularly women).
The oasis that Tinerhir belongs to is 30 km long (19 mi) and 4 km wide (2.5 mi), it doesn't rain that much during the year, the climat is cold in winter and hot dry in the summer. The Tinghir region is wedged between two mountain ranges, stretching over 700 kilometres (430 mi) southwest to northeast Morocco: the High Atlas in the north, with a high peak over 4,167 metres (13,671 ft), and the Little Atlas in the south. The road from Ouarzazate to Imtghren parallels the mountains. During the Mesozoic the region was invaded by the sea, where thick deposits of sediments rich in marine fossils (particularly of the ammonitida class). The uplift of the Atlas Mountains (primarily during the Neogene) caused the withdrawal of the sea and the deformation of rocks into folds and faults. Wind and river erosion eventually shaped the desert landscape of limestone and clay. The Todgha River has widened these layers of rock, giving rise to canyons 300 metres (980 ft) high but in some places only 10 metres (33 ft) wide. The river widens, developing an oasis edged with the red ochre of the desert.

Activities to do. In the ceter of the city there's not really that much to do except exploring the city, but there is possibility of spending the day in Todra gorges or even camping there, in nature and near clear pure water. The other activity that could be counted as extreme sport is Climbing the moutains at the gorges.. they are high enough to satisfy the need of adventure for any climber..

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