Jbel Saghro traverse: the winter crossing from Tagdilt to Nkob via Kouaouch, Igli and Bab n'Ali

Which route should you choose?

Saghro is a range of rock towers, plateaus and gorges east of Ouarzazate. Its highest point is Amalou n'Mansour (2,712 m), south-east of Iknioun. The classic north–south crossing does not go over it: it tops out at the Kouaouch pass, 2,592 m. Other landmarks are the pass of Tizi n'Tazazert (2,283 m), the plateau around Igli and the twin rock spires of Bab n'Ali. Nkob, at the southern foot of the range, is at 1,045 m.

Trek descriptions give three main lines. The north–south crossing from Tagdilt to Nkob is the one most described, in 5–7 days. A loop from Nkob covers much of the same ground without a one-way transfer. The eastern line goes over Amalou n'Mansour to Iknioun and takes 5 days or more. Trekking here is little developed: villages are few, and camping is the only option across much of the range. Altitude is modest everywhere.

5-day Tagdilt to Nkob, north to south itinerary at a glance

The itinerary below is the north–south crossing in five walking days, as in a typical operator itinerary. Operators usually add a drive from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Tagdilt before day 1, and a drive back from Nkob after day 5. Day 1 climbs into a steep side valley, about five hours. Day 2 is shorter but highest: over the Kouaouch pass (2,592 m), with views north to the High Atlas, and down to Igli. The Tassigdelt Tamajgalt plateau on this stretch has rock formations nicknamed the Camel's Head and the Elephant. Day 3 is the longest, about 17.5 km from Igli to Bab n'Ali, between about 1,852 m and 1,373 m. Bab n'Ali is a pair of volcanic spires; a local legend says a boy named Ali was turned to stone here. Day 4 follows a gorge past Assaka to the Taoudachte river, through villages with palms and almond trees. Day 5 follows the river down to Nkob.

Nights are in camps with mule-carried tents, with gîtes or village houses at Tagdilt, Igli and near Nkob on some itineraries. Water comes from wells and occasional springs and should be treated.

1. Day 1 Tagdilt Amda n'Oughyoul
2. Day 2 Amda n'Oughyoul Igli via Kouaouch pass 2,592 m
3. Day 3 Igli Bab n'Ali
4. Day 4 Bab n'Ali Ighazoune n'Oumlas (Taoudachte river)
5. Day 5 Ighazoune n'Oumlas Nkob camp at 1,045 m

Walking times are from operator itineraries; the Igli to Bab n'Ali distance and heights are from a mapped route. Night altitudes on this crossing disagree between sources (Igli is given as about 1,600 m, 1,700 m and 2,200 m), so we show only Nkob (1,045 m). Some sources put the Kouaouch pass at 2,500 m or 2,600 m; we use 2,592 m, given by three sources.

What it really costs

Treks usually run as a package with a guide, a muleteer, a cook and mules, or you can arrange the same team in Nkob or Boumalne Dades. Package prices depend on group size and days, so compare them on the booking sites. The figures below are approximate, and none is official.

Fees and estimates checked on 6 November 2026.

Insurance that covers Jbel Saghro traverse

Choose a policy that covers trekking in remote mountains up to at least 2,600 m, or 2,712 m for the eastern line, including search, rescue and evacuation. Saghro is sparsely populated, there are no medical facilities on the route, and rescue in Morocco is by the Gendarmerie, Civil Protection and the army.

In an emergency, call 15 for ambulance and fire, 19 for police in towns, or 177 for the Gendarmerie Royale in the countryside and mountains. The US State Department rates Morocco Level 2, exercise increased caution (reported current in September 2026). The UK government's Morocco page includes advice on hiking: read it before you go.

Staying connected in Morocco

eSIMs work in Morocco, and there are tourist SIM stands at the airports. Maroc Telecom is reported to have the strongest rural coverage. On Saghro itself, don't count on a signal: a 2011 trip report found coverage unreliable in this remote range.

Download offline maps before you start, since the ground is often pathless, carry a power bank and leave your plan with someone at home.

Getting there and where to stay

Ouarzazate airport (OZZ) is the closest, 2 km from town; Marrakech (RAK) is the usual international arrival, about five hours from Ouarzazate by bus. Nkob, at the southern end, is about 140 km east of Ouarzazate on the N9; Boumalne Dades, near Tagdilt at the northern end, is on the N10. Check current schedules before you travel.

Gear: rent or buy

Nothing technical, but cold nights, strong sun and rough rock. In Ouarzazate, at 1,151 m, January nights average about 2 °C and have dropped to −7 °C; camps higher in the range will be colder. Winter days are clear and pleasant. Water is scarce, so carry it between sources and treat it.

• Sleeping bag rated below freezing for winter nightsRent or buy
• Broken-in boots with ankle support for rocky, often pathless groundBuy
• Water bottles for the day (one operator asks for 1–1.5 litres) and purification tablets or a filterBuy
• Down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves for evenings in campRent or buy
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreenBuy
• Trekking poles for loose descents into the gorgesRent or buy
• Headlamp, for long winter nightsBuy
• Phone with offline maps, plus a power bankBuy

Add a few days in Morocco

Nkob sits on the road between Ouarzazate and the desert, so a few extra days fit easily before or after the trek.

Frequently asked questions