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Natural Arches of Tassili National Park


Index Page 25 - Upper Alidemma Area

The beautiful Tassilian landscape of the Alidemma massif consists of a multitude of carved fins of sandstone divided by large natural corridors where varied powdery sand dunes abut the rock masses. This area is at the end of Tassili-n-Ajjer plateau where the mountains break up at the level of the plain. It is located at 1000 meters above sea level on the way to the lower Tadrart region (see Index 24). To get there from Djanet by jeep takes 3-1/2 to 4 hours depending on the desert tracks you take (there are several options). This area has an incredible abundance of natural arches. The author focused on the larger ones or the more photogenic smaller ones. In case of trouble, there is a Sonatrach camp (as at Tamrit) with permanent caretaker, radio telephone and modern water tank. To visit this area, a guide and a permit are mandatory by park rules, even if you come with your own vehicle. Unfortunately some rock art was recently found vandalized and even stolen, and some infringers were expelled out of Algeria. Please help to keep these wonderful areas open to tourism by respecting the regulations. Alidemma area has little interesting rock art but great natural arches. Enjoy!

ALG-265, Alidemma Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 22.4 meter span (measured). GPS 32Q 649599 2610139. This beautiful arch is located in the Tadrart region of Tassili National Park. Consult a guide for how to get there. Once in the area, the arch is quickly found in an open area. Standing in the opening is NABS member Tom Budlong. Photo taken at sunset.

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ALG-266, unnamed arch 63, Upper Alidemma Area. 15.4 meter span (measured), 18 meter height (estimated). GPS 32Q 648989 2610477. This arch is located 700 meters northwest of ALG-265 (Alidemma Arch). Photo taken in late afternoon.

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ALG-267, unnamed arch 64, Upper Alidemma Area. 10.0 meters span (measured). GPS 32Q 651011 2612341. This arch is located approximately 3 km east of ALG-265 (Alidemma Arch).

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ALG-268, unnamed arch 65, Upper Alidemma Area. 12 meter span (estimated). GPS 32Q 651474 2607304. This wonderful sculptured example of an abandoned natural arch is located in the same area as ALG-265 (Alidemma Arch), about 6 km to the southeast.

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ALG-269, unnamed arch 66, Upper Alidemma Area. 6 meter span (larger opening, estimated). This arch is located 300 meters east of ALG-268. This is a double arch.

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ALG-296, Forgotten Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 5.7 meter span (measured). From ALG-266 (unnamed arch 63) cross the flat 250 meters north to the next rock mass and the arch. See the author inside the span for scale. The arch was so named because it was unseen on the first visit of the author to this area.

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ALG-297, Double Lintel Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 17.0 meter span(measured), 18 meter height (estimated). GPS 32Q 650147 2613647. From ALG-265 (Alidemma Arch) drive the desert tracks 3.5 km to the north toward Alidemma Oued and the canyon entrance. Check with your guide. From there, watch for a side corridor on the right (east). The arch is furtively visible at the bottom of the corridor. For a good landmark, a nice arch (not recorded here) is sitting at the corridor entrance. Drive or hike 400 meters in the corridor to the splendid Double Lintel Arch. The second opening is between the two lintels before the top of the arch. It is not visible in the photo.

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ALG-298, Monster Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 5 meter span (largest opening, estimated). From ALG-297 (Double Lintel Arch) cross under the arch and walk north 200 meters through a corridor to a view of the arch on the right. The arch is located atop a fin. This is an unusual and fragile openning.

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ALG-299, Succession Arch (North), Upper Alidemma Area. 6 meters span (estimated). GPS 32Q 650078 2613875. From ALG-298 (Monster Arch) walk to the north 300 meters to this double arch. In the photo, this arch is in the shadow and ALG-300 is on the right.

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ALG-300, Succession Arch (South), Upper Alidemma Area. 18.0 meter span (measured), 10 meter height (estimated). Adjacent to ALG-299. Photo taken at sunset.

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ALG-301, unnamed arch 72, Upper Alidemma Area. 5 meter span (estimated). Find this arch 80 meters north of ALG-299 and ALG-300. There are many more arches around.

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ALG-302, Delicate Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 9.0 meters span (measured). This arch is located atop a long fin behind ALG-298 (Monster Arch). This span is a very fine example of a delicate arch.

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ALG-303, Panorama Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 16.6 meter span (measured), 9 meter height (estimated). GPS 32Q 649871 2614138. From ALG-302 (Delicate Arch) walk northwest 200 meters along the base of the fin up to a little sand dune and a view of the plain. The arch is located on the right. Photo taken at sunrise. The massif seen at the horizon under the left side of the arch contains ALG-265, ALG-266 and ALG-296.

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ALG-304, Tip Top Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 7 meter span (estimated). GPS 32Q 650038 2605650. This arch is located 300 meters southeast of the Sonatrach camp on the top of the rock mass. Check with your guide to know where the camp is situated. Photo taken at sunset. Once again, a very fine span.

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ALG-323, Footbridge Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 9.2 meter span, main opening (measured). GPS 32Q 648732 2616120. From the view of ALG-297 (Double Lintel Arch), proceed on the tracks 300 meters north toward Alidemma Oued and stop for a good view of ALG-303 (Panorama Arch) located up on the rock on the right. From there, Panorama Arch is directly accessible by climbing the big sand dune against the face of the rock. Nevertheless, it is a strenous climb due to the big sloped dune. From this point, continue 2.3 km north into the canyon entrance and the Oued Alidemma to a minor rock art site on the left. Check with your guide. A close good landmark is a big rectangular block split in two parts. From the rock art, climb up an obvious little drainage northwest 10 minutes to this arch. This double arch can be seen from the canyon floor. Only the main opening is visible in the photo.

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ALG-324, Table Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 6.0 meter span (measured). From ALG-323 (Footbridge Arch) walk northwest in the corridor for one minute to this arch. Photo taken at sunset.

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ALG-325, Falcon Arch, Upper Alidemma Area. 20.2 meter span (main opening, measured),15 meter hight (estimated), 5 meter span (estimated) for the second opening on top of the arch. GPS 32Q 647962 2616799. From ALG-324 (Table Arch) walk on the flat to the north 900 meters to this triple arch. The nickname comes from the two falcons that were circling around.

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