Detour #10: Dades Gorge, Morocco

Want to feel like you’re starring in your own car commercial? Then head to the Dades Gorge near Ouarzazate in Morocco. For telegenic twists and turns this road is hard to beat.

As you climb up the R704, hugging the craggy sandstone cliffs, zigging and zagging, like North Africa’s Stelvio, you’ll one minute be bathed in glorious sunlight, the next plunged into shadow.

Unless you do happen to have a film crew closing the road for you, then it’s best to take a gentle pace - the drops are enormous and the paltry brickwork of the barriers wouldn’t stop an errant 2CV, let alone a briskly-driven sports car. So, take it easy, stop off at one of the many Kasbahs for a mint tea and soak in the view.

Words Nik Berg Twitter | Instagram
Photography Tom Salt @seesaltwork

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Roadbook

• Class: Gorge

• Name: Dades Gorge, R704

• Route: Tamellalt to Agoudal

• Country: Morocco

• Distance: 80 miles