The dunes of Erg Chebbi are located on the south-east part of Morocco, on the Meknes-Tafilalet region, about 650km southeast of Marrakech and 440km south of Fez. On the bottom of the Erg Chebbi Dunes there are several Berber villages that still maintain and preserve local traditions and unique Sahara Desert costumes.
The legend of Erg Chebbi / Merzouga tells that the largest sand dunes in Morocco appeared as a punishment from God to wealthy families who refused to accept a poor woman with her son at a party while they were washing hands with milk and playing with balls of couscous. They were then buried by sand storms and strong winds that formed large dunes with the highest measure of around 160 meters above sea level.
Photos of Hassilabied entrance and desert tracks to Erg Chebbi Dunes.
Driving directions to Merzouga
- Coming from Marrakech you have to take the road from Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Skoura, Tinghir, Tinejdad, Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga.
- Coming from Fez you have to take the road from Fez, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga.
- Driving from Europe you have to take the ferry-boat from Tarifa to Tangier and take the highway all the way from Tangier-Asilah-Rabat-Casablanca and Meknes where you take another national road towards the south direction Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud, Rissani and finally Merzouga.
Photos of way out of Nkob village coming from Marrakech and the Ziz Valley coming from Fez.
Road distances to Merzouga
- Taouz 24km
- Rissani 34km
- Erfoud 55km
- Errachidia 135km
- Ouarzazate 460km
- Fes 505km
- Marrakesh 670km
- Casablanca 755km
- Tangier 785km
- Rabat 846km
Photos of the Oasis and mountains in Agdz coming from Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains coming from Azrou.
