Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 31 - North Idou Area: The Maze - Map 13

ALG-369, Huge Boulder Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 33.5 meter span (measured), 9 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 550721 2751680. From ALG-368 (unnamed arch 89) continue north 300 meters and walk up the sand slope to the arch on the left. This arch of over 100 feet is a great challenge to photograph. A huge boulder sitting under the arch blocks a major part of the span from view. This arch is also the key to a fabulous labyrinth of natural arches. Welcome! It is a-maze-ing!

ALG-370, Home Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 13.2 meter span, 2.3 meters height (both measured). This arch is located opposite to ALG-369 (Huge Boulder Arch). The nickname was given because the arch has evidence of human occupancy from the last century (not from prehistoric times).

ALG-371, Air Vent Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 5 meter span (estimated). Between ALG-369 (Huge Boulder Arch) and ALG-370 (Home Arch), walk inside a narrow corridor southwest for 150 meters to the arch located on the left. A similar arch is located opposite to this arch on the other side of the corridor. It is very hard to photograph each arch in ideal lighting and have a decent picture in these dark corridors. This is why some arches are not shown here. It is not because those arches are uninteresting (far from it).

ALG-372, Jug Handle Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 10 meter height (estimated). From ALG-371 (Air Vent Arch), leave the narrow corridor and take the easy climb up the ramp of slickrock on the right, which gives you access to an upper narrow crack. Proceed in this slot for 150 meters to an upper secret chamber with an isolated pillar inside. A nice uncatalogued arch welcomes you on the left and ALG-374 (Exit Arch) stands on the right. For the present, cross the chamber and walk straight ahead in a corridor for 100 meters until you see the spectacular view in the photo above on the left. Once again a nice uncatalogued arch greets your way into this corridor.

ALG-373, Precipitous Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 8.0 meter span (measured). From the enjoyable view of ALG-372 (Jug Handle Arch) continue in the corridor straight ahead for 80 meters to the deadend. The arch is located on the left on the side of a precipitous "abyss".

ALG-374, Exit Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 2 meter height (estimated). This arch is located in the secret chamber. See description for ALG-372 (Jug Handle Arch).

ALG-375, Porthole Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 1.5 meter height (measured). From the secret chamber, cross under ALG-374 (Exit Arch) and proceed out into a large chamber. Porthole Arch is located on the left. The upper part of ALG-377 (Triple Arch) is visible through the arch in the photo. This terrific shot can be taken only around 10 am.

ALG-376, Monolith Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 11.4 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 550695 2751548. In the chamber containing ALG-375 (Porthole Arch), look on the right (north) for a side crack. Climb inside the short crack to access an upper flat terrace. The arch is located on the right on the side of the terrace. Due to the closeness (some centimeters) of a monolith behind the span and a precipitous cliff beside, photographing the arch is a great challenge. This is probably the best picture possible.

ALG-377, Triple Arch (main opening), North Idou Maze Area. 7.0 meter span (measured), 8 meter height (estimated) . GPS 32R 550579 2751517. From the "chamber" continue straight ahead 80 meters to the Triple Arch. The author is silhouetted on the edge of a promontory behind the span, making this arch appear larger than in reality. Nevertheless, it is very picturesque.

ALG-378, Triple Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 4.0 meter span (second opening, measured) and 2.0 meter span (third opening, measured). Adjacent to ALG-377.

ALG-379, Superfine Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 2 meter height (estimated). From ALG-377 (Triple Arch) walk north and cross an open area of fallen towers (esplanade). Pass through big blocks (sometimes just a pile of rocks) to the other side of the esplanade. The arch is visible to the west located on a trio of isolated rock spires.

ALG-380, Five Windows Tower, North Idou Maze Area. 4 meter span (largest opening, estimated). This tower containing five windows is located 400 meters north of ALG-377 (Triple Arch) on the other side of an open esplanade of big blocks (fallen towers).

ALG-381, Windows View Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 4 meter span (estimated). This arch is located behind Five Windows Tower. This beautiful shot taken at sunset shows the largest opening of ALG-380 through this arch.

ALG-382, Big Boulder Arch II, North Idou Maze Area. 13.2 meter span (measured), 8 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 550517 2751655. This arch is located behind ALG-381 (Windows View Arch). Once again, this arch is a challenge to photograph. The entire arch cannot be captured. This photo, taken late in afternoon, is probably the best that one can take. A big boulder sitting under the arch, and a second arch located just above them, are both not visible in the photo. The dark area seen behind the monolith in the background of the photo (just at the left base of the arch) shelters ALG-377 (Triple Arch).

ALG-383, unnamed arch 90, North Idou Maze Area. 2 meter height (estimated). This arch is located 400 meters north of ALG-382 (Big Boulder Arch II) on the other side of a corridor complex. Photo by Daniel Putelat. Daniel is a good friend who was a great help in organizing these wonderful trips, and an outstanding companion in finding these marvels of nature.

ALG-384, Strange Arch, North Idou Maze Area. 7 meter height (estimated). This arch is located 400 meters east of ALG-382 (Big Boulder Arch II) on the other side of a corridor complex. Guide Mohamed Bilali under the arch provides scale. The crack visible on the wall behind the opening is not an arch. The strange shape of the arch is difficult to emphasize. Photo by Daniel Putelat.

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