Gara Medouar
كارة مدور
A horseshoe-shaped, isolated limestone mountain in the desert, with ancient stone walls remaining at its gap, one of the highlights of the 4x4 desert loop.
Gara Medouar lies about 25 km southwest of Rissani in a black gravel desert. It is a ring-shaped mountain whose only gap has man-made stone walls. Archaeologists think it was a medieval fortified refuge, while local tradition says it was a base for ancient slave trading. Climbing the ring ridge gives views of the inner basin and the surrounding desert. The scenery is stark, and it is often used as a film or advertising location. There are no signposts and no facilities, so you need a 4x4 and a local driver, and should bring plenty of water.
Opening hours
Daytime
Nearby sights
- Sijilmasa
- Rissani Souk
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif
- Khettaras of Jorf
- Erfoud Fossil Workshops
- Ksar Maadid
- Dayet Srij Lake
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi