Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 30 - North Idou Area: Outskirts

ALG-357, Niche Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 13.4 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 550238 2751774. From Tissouka Islet 1 (see Index Page 21), leave the islet southwest staying outside on the desolate flat. Walk about 50 minutes (with your guide and donkey caravan) along the reef side on the flat, staying as close as possible to the rock masses, to Idou area. Check with your guide. The arch is located on the reef side on one of the numerous outcropping rocks in the area. This is a double arch. The author suggests a nice base camp 200 meters east of this arch on a beautiful amphitheater of jagged rocks. Do not forget, the bivouac place is always subject to agreement with your guide. Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-358, 0utlook Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 17.0 meter span, 3.1 meter height (both measured). GPS 32R 550200 2751458. This arch is located 300 meters southwest of ALG-357 (Niche Arch) on the top of an outcropping of rock. Photo taken at sunset. This beautiful arch pleasantly frames the side of the Idou maze.

ALG-359, unnamed arch 88, North Idou Area Outskirts. 3.7 meter span (measured). From ALG-358 (Outlook Arch) walk southwest along the reef side 400 meters to the arch on the left. Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-360, Lodged Rock Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 3 meter height (estimated). From ALG-359 (unnamed arch 88) continue southwest along the reef side for 200 meters to the arch located on the top of the rock (left). Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-361, Desert Vista Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 7.4 meter span (measured), 8 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 550055 2749776. From ALG-358 (Outlook Arch) walk southwest 4 kilometers or so across desolate flat and outcropping rocks to find the old abandoned road of Henri Lhote expedition beside you. From this point you can see a huge isolated castle rock on the right and a cliff line on the left (east). Now, walk the old road east to the cliff line seen in the distance (your target). Once you are close of the cliff (the arch can be visible from here), leave the old road and climb up the talus slope (easy) to the arch. The author is silhouetted behind the opening (not inside) for scale. Also the old road is visible below the author in the plain.

ALG-362, Head Dress Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. Largest opening is 3 meters high (estimated). From ALG-358 (Outlook Arch) walk east 150 meters straight ahead to the reef side. Find there an obvious passage permitting entrance into the rock masses. Once inside, walk 300 meters east to the arch on the right located on the top of the rock. The route inside the reef appears obvious with no other route option. The double arch itself is not accessible but you can easily climb up a parallel fin to realize this beautiful shot.

ALG-363, Black Hole Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located below ALG-362 (Head Dress Arch) and this is the first opening seen during approach. The arch is so close to the adjacent rock that you can only photograph a "black hole" (hence the nickname). The needles visible in the background of the photo shelter ALG-380, ALG-381, and ALG-382.

ALG-364, Dark Eyes Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. Largest opening has 6 meter span (estimated). From ALG-363 (Black Hole Arch), continue east straight ahead 500 meters to a flat area. This double arch is located on the other side of the flat and is visible en route due to its high position. Photo taken at sunset with the author inside the largest "eye" for scale. An easy route can be found to the "eyes" but you have to search a bit.

ALG-365, Pagoda Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 6 meter span, 2.4 meter height for the small pillar (both measured). GPS 32R 551199 2750971. From the flat near ALG-364 (Dark Eyes Arch), walk 800 meters southeast to an obvious area of different geologic sandstone (elongated domes of slickrock). This fine abandoned arch stands magnificiently there among the domes. To facilite your search for the arch, the double opening is located close to the border of the reef. The author especially loves this arch!

ALG-366, Overlook Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 10.5 meter span, 3.3 meters height (both measured). GPS 32R 551394 2750473. From ALG-365 (Pagoda Arch) walk south 500 meters among the numerous domes of slickrock to find a little drainage. Cross the sandy drainage and climb up one of the elongated tilted domes permitting access to the rock above you. Please use caution here! Do not take a direct route (may be difficult) and take time to find the one easy and safe way. Remember, you are in an isolated area. This part of the Park is not much visited much and it is usual not to find anybody there for long periods (several weeks). Once on the top, continue south through rock formations to find the arch overhanging the Oued Idou (pronounced Idoo) on the side of the cliff. Beautiful view of the wash and the fins along it from the arch. The author on the left corner of the span provides scale to the photo. Note: If you proceed in the small drainage described above for a few meters downstream into the narrows, you can exit the reef to the Oued Idou and visit the fins area. This area is described on the way to ALG-223.

ALG-367, Skyrock Arch, North Idou Area Outskirts. 11.5 meter span (measured), 6 meter height (estimated). From ALG-366 (Overlook Arch) take an easy climb up northwest for 100 meters to find the arch at the highest point of these rocks. Photo taken at sunset. Guide Mohamed Bilali provides scale under the span. The arch offers a superb panorama around Idou maze. The guide was not accustomed to climbing up on the top of the rock, but was curious to know where we went. He found these arch hunting days very enjoyable. There are more arches around.

ALG-368, unnamed arch 89, North Idou Area Outskirts. 3.2 meter span, 3.2 meter height (both measured). From ALG-364 (Dark Eyes Arch) walk 300 meters northeast toward the sand slope (after crossing the flat). The arch is located on the left.

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