Ghoufi Canyon (Balcons de Ghoufi)
غوفي
A deeply incised, curving canyon in the Aurès Mountains. Abandoned Chaoui earth-and-stone houses cling to the cliffs, and the valley floor is a palm oasis.
Ghoufi Canyon (also known as Ghoufi Balcony) was cut by the Abdi River. It is several kilometres long and about 200 m deep. A viewpoint on the canyon's edge overlooks the entire horseshoe-shaped valley. Tiers of mud-and-stone houses on the cliffs form the abandoned Chaoui Berber village, and some courtyards can be visited by walking down small paths. On the valley floor, palms, pomegranates and apricot trees contrast strongly with the ochre cliffs. Craft stalls stand beside the viewpoint. From Batna it is about 1.5 hours' drive south via Arris. It can be combined with Tighanimine Canyon and the old village of Menaa into a one-day Aurès loop. The path down to the valley floor is steep and slippery, so wear hiking boots and ideally hire a local guide.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tighanimine Gorges
- Menaa Old Village
- Lambaesis
- Great Mosque of 1 November 1954
- Timgad
- Timgad Museum
- Djebel Chélia
- Belezma National Park