Natural Arches of Ahaggar National Park

Index Page 7 - Tilenfaza Area

The massif of Tilenfaza is located in the southeastern part of the huge (450,000 square kilometer) Ahaggar National Park. There are a large number of interesting natural arches in this area, the largest of which is Tilenfaza Arch with a height of 20 meters. See other Tilenfaza landforms and a satellite view.

There are three options for visitors to reach this spectacular field of sculptured buttes and spires:

One option is on the west side via a 5-hour jeep drive directly from Tamanrasset. This route climbs up a rough track on a rocky pass above the large oued of Tin-Tarabine (which flows from the Hoggar Mountains only after rain).
A second option is to go around the massif to the east side via a 90-minute drive on the desert plain. Unlike the west side, the east side of the massif is a gradual slope. The route leaves the Youf-Ehakit area and goes by the Youf-Aghlal guelta. With this option you cross a surreal landscape of rock domes looking like a conglomeration of snails. The Tunnel (ALG-291) is located here.
A third option is by a cairned trail starting from the Needles of Youf-Ehakit. This option, a day hike of about 12 km, is really spectacular and is recommended if you have the time. However, with this option you must have a guide with you and your driver should be waiting for your party at the end of the Tilenfaza track on the other side of the massif.

ALG-593, Youf-Aghlal Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 13 meter span (measured). From Youf-Aghlal guelta (see introduction to Tilenfaza Area above), drive toward Tilenfaza area on a jeep track to the west for 15 minutes until you pass by the side of an eroded butte with two towers. You can see the arch up on the rock looking like a cave from below. The arch seems nearly inaccessible but it is very easy and fun to climb to it on either side of the butte without any climbing aid. Photo taken from half-way up the climb. NABS member Daniel Putelat stands in the opening for scale. Note that "gh" in Tamahaq is pronounced like the English "r" so "Youf-Aghlal" is pronounced "Youf-Aralel".

ALG-594, Keyhole Rock, Tilenfaza Area. 4.2 meter height (measured). GPS 32R 270681 2456440. This arch is located in an area of mushroom rocks on the side of the butte which contains ALG-593 (Youf-Aghlal Arch). The arch is accessible by jeep. Note ALG-595 in the left half of the rock.

ALG-595, Triple Arch, Tilenfaza Area. Largest opening has 2.9 meter height (measured). This triple arch is located on the left side of Keyhole Rock (ALG-594).

ALG-596, Single Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 3.4 meter span (measured). This arch is located very close to ALG-595 (Triple Arch). The small arch seen in the distance through the opening has a span less than one meter so is not cataloged.

ALG-597, Overhead Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 4.2 meter span (measured). This arch is located close to ALG-594 (Keyhole Rock).

ALG-598, unnamed arch 21, Tilenfaza Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located 400 meters to the south of ALG-594 (Keyhole Rock).

ALG-599, Picturesque Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 9 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 264018 2453510. From ALG-594 (Keyhole Rock), proceed on the tracks southwest toward Tilenfaza Cave (a primary visitation and camp site for most tours). After about 15 minutes you come to a large eroded butte with a dome of rock on the top. The arch is visible from the tracks on the side of the butte. Note that this spectacular butte can be climbed with caution (some slightly exposed sections) without any climbing aids. There is only one way to get on the top. If you have extra time, you can try this. The view of the whole area is terrific from the top.

ALG-600, Elephant Trunk Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located 100 meters to the north of ALG-599 (Picturesque Arch).

ALG-601, unnamed arch 22, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). This small arch is located behind ALG-599 (Picturesque Arch). Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-602, Cave Arch 1, Tilenfaza Area. Largest of the three openings has 7.5 meter height (measured). From ALG-599 (Picturesque Arch), drive on the tracks for 10 minutes to the southwest to an obvious cave on the side of the rock masses. This triple arch is located on the left side of the cave entrance. The cave itself contains some engraved and painted rock art as well as a ruin of a tomb. The top of the arch is accessible without any difficulties behind the cave. Photo taken in late afternoon. It would be interesting to see how this arch evolved in a future geologic time. More photos.

ALG-603, Cave Arch 2, Tilenfaza Area. 5 meter height (estimated). This arch is located on the back side of the cave (see Cave Arch 1, ALG-602), making this cave a nice natural passage.

ALG-604, Little Tilenfaza Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 7 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 264649 2449880. From ALG-602 (Cave Arch 1), drive the large stretch of flat sandy land southeast for nearly 1 km. This splendid arch is clearly visible on the right side of the rock (west). Photo taken in early morning.

ALG-605, Arcade Rock, Tilenfaza Area. 3 meter span, 3 meter height (estimated). From ALG-604 (Little Tilenfaza Arch), walk west 100 meters along the small sand dunes. The arch is located on the left behind the rock. Daniel Putelat in the corridor behind the arch provides scale.

ALG-606, Tilenfaza Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 20 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 264649 2449880. This spectacular arch is located 800 meters to the east of ALG-604 (Little Tilenfaza Arch). The base of the arch is accessible by jeep. The arch is located in a beautiful bunch of isolated spires. In this photo only half of the height of the arch is visible. Due to the orientation of the opening it is best to photograph it in early morning or late afternoon. More photos.

ALG-607, unnamed arch 23, Tilenfaza Area. 3.9 meter height (measured). GPS 32R 266546 2449473. This arch is located 1,500 meters to the southeast of ALG-606 (Tilenfaza Arch). You can search for this arch by jeep. Abid Zalfa, guide and driver from ONAT Agency, provides the scale.

ALG-608, unnamed arch 24, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter height (estimated). This small arch is located close to ALG-607. Mohamed, our trip cook, poses below the arch.

ALG-609, Fly Rock, Tilenfaza Area. 7 meter height (estimated). From ALG-602 (Cave Arch 1), drive southwest on the sandy tracks for 3 minutes to the arch visible on the left on the top of the rock (southeast). Walk to the base of the rock. At first look the opening appears difficult to access but it is a very moderate climb with good anchors for your hands on the rock and is not exposed. Photo taken in the morning to get orange sand dune in the background.

ALG-610, Horizon Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 10 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 264765 2448207. This arch is located 1000 meters to the southeast of ALG-609 (Fly Rock) and is visible from there. Finding your way and climbing to the arch is easy. As the arch is located higher up, the opening is visible from the desert plain from a long distance (hence the name) if you come to this area using the second option described at the top of this page. If you climb up above the arch, you can view a great 360-degree desert panorama (great at sunset, but if you go at sunset do not forget a flashlight or head lamp for your return trip). Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-611, Three Arch Rock, Tilenfaza Area. The largest opening (not shown in photo) has a span of 4 meters (estimated). This triple arch is located 500 meters to the southwest of ALG-610 (Horizon Arch). The arches are visible from the rock above ALG-610. Keep in mind the location of the arch, because once on the ground below you can no longer see it and it is a bit confusing to find your way.

ALG-612, Arch Butte, Tilenfaza Area. 16 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 265695 2446755. The magnificient Arch Butte is located 1500 meters to the south of ALG-610 (Horizon Arch). The small isolated butte (not the arch) is visible from the rock above ALG-610. Once again, keep in mind the location of the arch, climb down to the ground and cross a little maze of rock to your target. The arch is located on the blind side of the small butte. Note this is a double arch. The second opening (a long vertical slit) is visible in the photo (ray of light on the opposite wall). The trip to this and the previous three arches (ALG-609, ALG-610, ALG-611) requires a lot of time. Take a day pack and enjoy the whole scenery around you (many pinnacles and other features). This is the second best arch of the Tilenfaza area — after Tilenfaza Arch (ALG-606).

ALG-613, Spire Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 8.8 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 265331 2445913. From ALG-609 (Fly Rock), drive the 4WD tracks to the southwest for approximately 3 km and stop when you see on the rock masses on the left in the distance a double spire with a blocked rock through it looking like an arch. Hike 400 meters to this landmark and find this arch behind the spires. The arch was named for the thin spire with a small peephole located near the arch. Photo taken at sunrise.

ALG-614, unnamed arch 25, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter height (estimated). This small arch is located close to ALG-613 (Spire Arch), which can be seen in the background. Photo taken in late afternoon.

ALG-615, Butte View Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 3 meter height (estimated). This arch is located on the side of the rock ridge which contains ALG-613 (Spire Arch). Note that the butte containing ALG-612 (Arch Butte) is visible through the opening. Arch Butte is also accessible from here with the same hiking time as from ALG-610 (Horizon Arch) but with more open terrain.

ALG-616, Colonnade Arches, Tilenfaza Area. 5 to 7 meter span depending on the opening (estimated). This rock monolith with multiple openings is located 200 meters to the northeast of ALG-613 (Spire Arch).

ALG-617, Tunnel Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 6 meters deep (estimated). This arch is located near ALG-613 (Spire Arch). Note the small pillar arch on the left inside the natural passage.

ALG-618, unnamed arch 26, Tilenfaza Area. 2.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located near ALG-613 (Spire Arch).

ALG-619, Sand Wind Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 3 meter span, 3 meter height (both estimated). This arch is located 300 meters to the west of ALG-613 (Spire Arch). Photo taken at sunset. A small but very photogenic arch with sand dunes on each side of the opening. Note this arch is visible from the tracks a bit farther than the view of the double spire described for ALG-613 (Spire Arch). This arch was so named because the opening offers a passageway for wind-blown sand to connect from one sand dune to the other on either side of the arch.

ALG-620, unnamed arch 27, Tilenfaza Area. 4 meter height (estimated). This arch is located down the sand dune on the north side of ALG-619 (Sand Wind Arch).

ALG-621, unnamed arch 28, Tilenfaza Area. 6 meter height (estimated). This interesting arch is located on the way between ALG-613 (Spire Arch) and ALG-619 (Sand Wind Arch). It is difficult to capture in a picture how nice it is to visit this arch.

ALG-622, unnamed arch 29, Tilenfaza Area. 2.5 meter height (estimated). This arch is located near ALG-619 (Sand Wind Arch).

ALG-623, Skywalk Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 8 meter height (estimated). From the view of the double spire (start of the hike to ALG-613), continue on the two-track road southwest for 4 km to the terminus (a large flat between imposing rock masses). The arch is located up on the rock on the side of a long sand dune sloping from the crest. From this view, walk along the base of the massive rock north. Once on the other side, ascend the slope of the rock fall to the top. Once on the top, find the way over on the left down to the arch. There is no major difficulty to access the top of the arch. The cairned trail used by trekkers coming from the Youf Ehakit area via the needles of Youf Ehakit also enters this area. Most people continue the hike along the two track road to ALG-602 (Cave Arch 1) — either a day hike or a jeep ride.

ALG-624, Stick Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter height (estimated). From the base of the ascending slope of rock fall debris used to get on ALG-623, walk 200 meters west to the base of the next imposing castle of rock. Hike up the slope using the Youf-Ehakit cairned trail to the platform inside the "castle." Find this arch to the east, hidden behind a nook of rock.

ALG-625, unnamed arch 30, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). Find this arch on the other (north) side of the platform mentioned in the description for ALG-624 (Stick Arch).

ALG-626, Spire Window Arch, Tilenfaza Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located opposite to ALG-625 behind the wall (northwest). An easy bench to walk can be used to visit the arch and have a nice view of the spire.

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