Often referred to as ‘one of Africa’s finest drives’, the road between Marrakech and Taroudant winds its way up and down, via the Tizi-n-Test pass, following an old trading route through the High Atlas mountains.  Along the way, you pass through the market town of Asni and the beautiful village of Ouirgane where the L’Amandier Villas are situated. Drive 40kms further on from Ouirgane and you reach the village of Talaat-n-Yacoub with the imposing ruin of the tribal Kasbah of the Goundafi…

Isolated on a hill, the Kasbah has an unimpeded view of the surrounding mountains and valleys and after tribal fighting and political bargaining, it became the refuge of the Caid Goundafi in the late 19th Century.

More recently the Kasbah has been bought and is undergoing a slow restoration. Up close you can still see the Arabesque decoration and feel awed by the sheer size of the fortress.

It is just one of the many reasons the drive along the N’Fiss valley is worth every winding kilometre. You’ll need a good head for heights, a robust stomach (for the twists and turns of the road), a sense of adventure and an appreciation of stunning scenery. I definitely recommend it…

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Related posts:

1. Trekking: Ouirgane to Kasbah Tamadot
2. Financial Times focus on L’Amandier
3. Kasbah Shama