Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 5 - Tin Tazarift Central Area - Map 4

ALG-32, Bivouac Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 2.7 meter span (measured). From the view to ALG-26, continue on the trail for 5 minutes to the bowl of Tin-Tazarift. Cross the bowl NE to the other side, and then climb up the big sand dune SE to the bivouac site. The arch is located behind the camp.

ALG-34, Collapsed Tower Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 4 meter span by 5 meter height (estimated). From the bivouac camp climb down the big sand dune (north) and cross the bowl, staying along the side rock on the right for about 150 meters. The arch is visible up on the rock to the right near a collapsed tower. Easy access.

ALG-33, Airlock Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 4 meters high (estimated). From ALG-34, walk north for 150 meters and you will find this arch in the rock mass to the right on the other side of the bowl. You can climb up through the opening to a little bowl inside.

ALG-35, Graceful Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 5.5 meter span by 7.4 meter height (measured). GPS 32R 571859 2729639. Between ALG-34 and ALG-33, walk into an obvious corridor (NE) straight ahead 200 meters to the arch. There is also a nice uncatalogued arch just 10 meters behind this wonderful free-standing arch. Photo taken at sunrise.

ALG-36, Bovidae Painting Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 10 meter span (estimated). From ALG-35, walk SE on the corridor for 80 meters to the arch. As the name suggests, there are some prehistoric bovidae paintings around the arch. Photo taken at sunrise.

ALG-37, Akaoka Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 5.2 meter span (measured). From ALG-36, walk down the corridor 80 meters to the arch (right). Akaoka means "rock hyrax" (a coney-like ungulate animal) in Tamahaq. I applied this name after finding some Akaoka footprints under it (with the help of the guide).

ALG-38, Elephant Loggerhead Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. Larger opening is 5.1 meter span by 2.6 meter height. Smaller opening is 1.9 meter span by 2.0 meter height (both measured). Find this arch on the parallel corridor south of, and close to, ALG-37. Photo taken at sunrise.

ALG-116, Low Window, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 6.8 meter span (measured). From ALG-37, walk 30 meters east to this arch. Photo taken in early morning. Photo angle appears to decrease the length of the span.

ALG-117, Amphitheater Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 7.6 meter span (measured). From ALG-116, walk 30 meters east to a nice uncatalogued pillar arch. Pass it and walk another 100 meters east. Find this arch well hidden behind the rock mass. The arch is named for the little amphitheater of rock located below the arch.

ALG-40, unnamed arch 2, Tin Tazarift Central Area. From ALG-35, walk northwest 80 meters to the window up on the rock, on the right.

ALG-39, Edehi Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 4 meter span (estimated). Situated close to ALG-40. Edehi means "little sand dune" in Tamahaq. There is a big opening close to this arch, but it is apparent that the arc of rock is badly fractured so it can't be considered a true natural arch.

ALG-41, Double Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 2.5 meter height (estimated). Find this arch to the west of ALG-39. It is well worth exploring the labyrinth in the 100 square meters (2.5 acres) around this area.

ALG-42, Imzad Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 2 meter height (estimated). Located close to ALG-41. Imzad is the name for a single-stringed violin used during festivities by teh Tuareg people.

ALG-45, unnamed arch 3, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 2.0 meter span (measured). From the top of the sand dune beside Tin-Tazarift bivouac camp, walk east in the obvious corridor for about 40 meters. The arch is located on the right.

ALG-43, Ul Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 1.9 meter span (measured). Find this arch opposite to ALG-45 on the other side of the corridor. The arch is located in a perpendicular corridor. Ul means "heart" in Tamahaq.

ALG-44, Corridor Arch, Tin Tazarift Central Area. 5.1 meter span (measured). Opposite to ALG-43 on the other side of the corridor. Ul arch is visible in the background of the picture.

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