Erg Chebbi | Sahara Desert, Morocco, 2008

Distance:

• As long or as short as you like. Make the effort to climb one of the higher dunes for a 360° panorama of the area.

When to Hike?:

• Cooler temps combined with the sublime light of dawn and dusk mean that early morning or late afternoon is ideal.

Start / Finish:

• Erg Chebbi is situated right on the doorstep of Merzouga. Regular minibuses and communal taxis service the village.

Season:

• September to June. All-year-round. As you would expect, summer in the Sahara can be a tad warmish.

Maps / Info:

• Erg translates to ‘ocean of sand’. We’re talking sand dunes. Big ones.

• No maps are necessary. The dunes are situated immediately east of the village.

• Merzouga is touristy. Upon arrival, you will most likely be inundated with offers to join group camel treks and desert excursions. If you can resist the hard sell, there is nothing to stop you from heading out into the desert on your own. Be sure to take enough warm clothes and water. Try to catch the sunset from one of the higher dunes.

Route / Conditions:

• No shade or H2O. Come prepared; an umbrella comes in handy if you are hiking during the warmer months. Bring all supplies and water from Merzouga.

Sleeping:

• Nights can be cold. If you are camping out, bring along a sleeping bag/quilt and a mat for insulation.

Overview:

• Morocco has two primary sand dune options – Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. Both are spectacular. The former is easier to access and more touristy. The latter requires greater effort to get there but definitely has a remoter feel. If you have the time visit both. If I had to choose, I would recommend Erg Chigaga.