Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 34 - Ti-Spad Area

INTRODUCTION: The Ti-Spad site is located one hour of hiking south of the famous Sefar site. This is an awe-inspired landscape of stone forest and standing rocks. Visitors can find there a maze of deep corridors (Ti-Spad means "The Corridors" in Tamahaq dialect) where sunlight does not enter at any time of the day, big sand dunes covering open fields of standing rocks, and a fantasia of natural rock openings. Undoubtely one of the great landscapes of Tassili National Park. Although close of Sefar site, this area is seldom visited by tourists. Maps do not show this locality probably because there are no paintings or engravings located in this area. If you wish to deeply explore the Tassili, do not forget this stupendous area of natural wonder.

ALG-434, Shade Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 8.4 meter span (main opening), 1.3 meter span (small opening), both measured. GPS 32R 574984 2726733. From the Sefar camp area (many bivouac locations) described with ALG-57, walk to Oued Sefar and cross it. Walk up hill south on the painting trail called Sefar le Blanc ("The White Sefar"). Check with your guide for directions. Proceed on the trail to the top of the slick rock dome hill, then bear southeast and following the cairned trail (some poor cairns) on slick rock. Progressively the trail enters into outcropping rocks and then into a low corridor. This is the normal way to Ti-Spad. After several hundred meters the corridor begins to get deeper. The arch is located on the right side of the trail after about 20 minutes hiking from Sefar camp.

ALG-435, Parallel Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5.2 meter span (measured). This arch is located 50 meters behind ALG-434 (Shade Arch). The indirect angle of the photo considerably decreases the apparent span of the arch. It is impossible to take a good picture of the opening face-on.

ALG-436, Long Low Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 11.8 meter span (measured). This arch is located 80 meters distant from Shade Arch (ALG-434) to the left side of the trail.

ALG-437, Handle Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located in a parallel corridor behind the corridor trail to Ti-Spad and close to Long Low Arch (ALG-436). Note the small arch (1.5 meters high) in the sunlight behind Handle Arch.

ALG-438, Fantasy Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3 meter main span (estimated). This arch is located in the area of Long Low Arch (ALG-417).

ALG-439, unnamed arch 109, Ti-Spad Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located in the area of Long Low Arch (ALG-436).

ALG-440, Attic Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2 meter span (estimated). From Shade Arch (ALG-434) proceed on the trail to Ti-Spad (east) for 10 minutes and watch for the arch up on the rocks on the left side of the trail. Photo taken at sunset.

ALG-448, Loft Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 4.2 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 575107 2727230. This arch is located 250 meters east of Attic Arch (ALG-440).

ALG-449, unnamed arch 110, Ti-Spad Area. 2 meter span (estimated). This arch is located 30 meters north of ALG-448 (Loft Arch).

ALG-450, unnamed arch 111, Ti-Spad Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). From Attic Arch (ALG-440), continue on the Ti-Spad trail to a sand dune area located on the right of the primitive trail. The arch is visible up on the rock to the left.

ALG-451, unnamed arch 112, Ti-Spad Area. 2 meter height (estimated). This arch is located at the entrance of a perpenticular corridor near ALG-450.

ALG-452, Corner Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3.5 meter height (estimated). From ALG-451, continue into the corridor to the arch located on the right.

ALG-453, Unseen Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5 meter height (estimated). This arch is located in the same area as ALG-452 (Corner Arch). Explore the corridors around to find it. This opening is hard to locate.

ALG-454, Derrick Arch, Ti-Spad Area. Both openings estimated at 8 meters high. This amazing double arch is located in the deepest area of Ti-Spad. In this labyrinth formed by many interwining deep corridors, directions cannot be described and GPS does not track any satellite positions, so the visitor will need to take a lot of time to explore this area to find this arch and the two following entries.

ALG-455, unnamed arch 113, Ti-Spad Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located in the deepest area of Ti-Spad. The opening is hard to find.

ALG-456, unnamed arch 114, Ti-Spad Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located in the deepest area of Ti-Spad. The opening is hard to find.

ALG-457, Bend Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 8 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 575232 2727347. Use GPS coordinates to find this beautiful opening. Despite the height of this arch, it is very well-hidden and not easy to find. Search for the arch on the inner terrace of rock masses more than outside rocks. The author's faithful Tuareg guide, Mohamed Bilali, is under the arch to provide scale.

ALG-458, Camel Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 13.7 meters span (measured). GPS 32R 575448 2726861. This arch is located in the central area of Ti-Spad. Use GPS coordinates to find it. The nickname comes from the two humps above the opening.

ALG-459, Big Wheel Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 8 meter height (estimated). This arch is located 400 meters east of Camel Arch (ALG-458). Once you have found Camel Arch, you can easily find Big Wheel Arch and vice versa. This area has well-separated rock masses.

ALG-460, The Gate of Ti-Spad, Ti-Spad Area. 9 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 575466 2727328. This arch is located 500 meters northeast of ALG-459 (Big Wheel Arch). Tuareg guide Mohamed Bilali provides scale.

ALG-461, Streamlined Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 10.0 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 576129 2726370. This amazing arch is located in the central area of Ti-Spad on a stupendous sand dune field mixed with rock masses. A rare beauty. From Attic Arch (ALG-440) walk east straight ahead 1000 meters or so to the arch. Kel-Meddak (native of Meddak region) Mohamed Bilali poses under the arch for scale.

ALG-462, Two Dunes Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 9 meter height (estimated). This beautiful arch is located behind Streamlined Arch (ALG-461). The name derives from the fact that the natural arch is located between two sand dunes.

ALG-463, Epaulet Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 9.2 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 575966 2726587. This is another beautiful arch located 200 meters north of Streamlined Arch (ALG-461). The nickname comes from the boulder on the left at the top.

ALG-464, unnamed arch 115, Ti-Spad Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located behind ALG-466 (Frison-Roche Arch).

ALG-465, unnamed arch 116, Ti-Spad Area. 3.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located close to and on the right of ALG-464 (unnamed arch 115).

ALG-466, Frison-Roche Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 18.0 meter span (measured). This great arch is located 100 meters to the north of Epaulet Arch (ALG-463). Roger Frison-Roche (1906-1999) is a famous french mountaineer who has visited the Tassili Plateau several times in the past. Here is an extract from this book Carnets Sahariens: "Here, the richness of Nature's enchantment surpasses that of all human architecture: one goes from one marvel to another. Now, over our heads, immense dragons open their maws; now, petrified human figures stand on eternal guard, sentinals in the midst of a clearing . . . to swarm suddenly out through a giant natural arch in a fantastic village made of sandstone." This is particulary true here.

ALG-467, Temaroult Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5 meter height (estimated). This arch is located 300 meters northeast of Frison-Roche Arch (ALG-466) on the side of a sand dune. "Temaroult" means "rabbit" in the Tamahaq dialect.

ALG-468, unnamed arch 117, Ti-Spad Area. 4 meter span (estimated). This arch is located 150 meters to the north of ALG-467 (Temaroult Arch).

ALG-469, Leaping Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 7 meter span (estimated). From ALG-468 (unnamed arch 117), walk north some distance and turn right into a obvious large corridor. Walk down the corridor 200 meters to the arch located on the left.

ALG-470, Big Rock Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 7 meter span (estimated). This arch is located 300 meters west of Streamlined Arch (ALG-461) on an imposing pierced rock mass that cannot be missed.

ALG-471, Signal Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 6 meter span (estimated). Find this arch in the same area as ALG-470 (Big Rock Arch). The next arch (Phantom Arch) is actually visible in the background but does not show up in the photo.

ALG-472, Phantom Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 4 meter spans (both openings, estimated). This nice double arch is located 200 meters to the northwest of Signal Arch (ALG-471).

ALG-473, Tarik Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 11.2 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 575913 2726114. This arch is located 200 meters to the southwest of Phantom Arch (ALG-472). Note the author's guide and friend Mohamed Bilali perched on a boulder on the side of the arch for scale. "Tarik" means dromedary saddle in the Tamahaq dialect.

ALG-482, Fluted Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 8.4 meter span, 4.8 meter height (both measured). From ALG-461 (Streamlined Arch), walk south 600 meters to an intriguing balanced rock perched up on the rock. From there, continue into a corridor to a mushroom rock. From this landmark, turn left to an esplanade of rock and this arch.

ALG-483, Annex Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located close to ALG-482 (Fluted Arch).

ALG-484, Triplex Arch I, Ti-Spad Area. 5.7 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 576403 2725865. From ALG-482 (Fluted Arch), walk south 100 meters to a hidden narrow passage between massive rocks. Go through th narrow passage to a hidden area located behind the rock masses. Three lonesome acacias are on the right. Walk 100 meters south to the great trio of arches located together. Guide Mohamed Bilali standing beside the arch on the top of the sand dune trapped in the rock cirque provides scale.

ALG-485, Triplex Arch II, Ti-Spad Area. 5.7 meter span (measured). This arch is located close to ALG-484 (Triplex Arch I). In the photo, Triplex Arch II is in the background and Triplex Arch I is in the foreground. Guide Mohamed Bilali, half way between the two arches, provides scale. This beautiful shot including the two arches was inspired by the back cover of the french book Art Rupestre au Sahara.

ALG-486, Triplex Arch III, Ti-Spad Area. 12.9 meter span (measured), 7 meter height (estimated). This arch is located close to ALG-484 (Triplex Arch I) and ALG-485 (Triplex Arch II). This is the largest arch of the three. Even the guide, who often hikes in this maze of rocks, finds Triplex Arches a particularly attractive feature.

ALG-487, Sand Bowl Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3 meter span (estimated). This arch is located in the massive cirque of rock next to Triplex Arches (ALG-484-485-486), on the side of the reef. Many sand dunes are trapped in this cirque of rocks. It is place of magical beauty.

ALG-488, Superpropped Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 10 meter height (estimated). This fine example of a propped natural arch is located 400 meters south of ALG-482 (Fluted Arch), just before a wash gully. In the photo, you can see only 3/4 of the height of the arch. The invisible part of the opening of this surprising arch is in the shadow, hidden by a big boulder.

ALG-489, Nook Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5 meter height (estimated). This nice arch is located 100 meters north of ALG-460 (Gate of Ti-Spad) in a nook of rock.

ALG-490, Two Level Arch I, Ti-Spad Area. Two openings with 3.1 meter span (shown in photo, on the right) and 6.2 meter span (not shown in photo). Both spans were measured. This double arch is located very close to ALG-489 (Nook Arch), which is the large opening shown in the left side of the photo. This photo shows only the smallest opening of the double arch on the right side of the photo. For the larger opening, see ALG-491.

ALG-491, Two level Arch II, Ti-Spad Area. 8.6 meter span (measured). This arch is located on the terrace just below the two opening of ALG-490.

ALG-492, Two Tops Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 12.0 meter span (measured). This arch is located 100 meters to the east of ALG-460 (The Gate of Ti-Spad).

ALG-493, Canopy Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 10 meter span (estimated). This surprising arch is located on the same area as Two Tops Arch (ALG-492).

ALG-494, Minimal Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3.1 meter span (measured). This arch is located a few tens of meters south of Tarik Arch (ALG-473). The name of the arch comes not from the size of the opening (a fair 10 feet) but from the small archette seen through the opening, to the right.

ALG-495, Embrasure Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5.5 meter height (measured). This arch is located close to ALG-494 (Minimal Arch) on the right.

ALG-496, Background Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 1.7 meter height (measured). This arch is located just behind ALG-495 (Embrasure Arch). In the photo, half of the opening is obscured by the shadow.

ALG-497, Strong Pillar Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2.6 meter span by 4.0 meter height (both measured). This nice arch is located 50 meters west of Tarik Arch (ALG-473).

ALG-498, Fragile Leg Arch, Ti-Spad Area. This double arch has a 5.5 meter span (largest) and 5.1 meter span (smallest), both measured. This twin arch is located 100 meters north of ALG-473 (Tarik Arch). The rock mass located behind the largest opening reduces the apparent height of the arch in the photo.

ALG-499, Jag Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 5 meter span (estimated). GPS 32N 575757 2726101. This arch is located 200 meters west of ALG-473 (Tarik Arch) on a beautiful field of sand dunes and rock masses. At the time of the photo, the sand dunes around the arch were already in the shadow.

ALG-500, 500th Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 4.4 meter span (measured). This arch is located 80 meters north of ALG-499 (Jag Arch).

ALG-501, Sandhill Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2 meter span (estimated). This small arch is located in the same beautiful area as ALG-500 (500th Arch).

ALG-502, Sandpit Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 1.5 meter height (estimated). This small arch is located in the same area as ALG-500 (500th Arch) on the sand hill field.

ALG-503, Sand Gate Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2.5 meter height (estimated). This arch is located in the same area as ALG-500 (500th Arch) on the sand hill field.

ALG-504, Scene Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 8.4 meter span (measured). This arch is located 200 meters south of ALG-460 (The Gate of Ti-Spad).

ALG-505, Triple Support Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 1.5 meter span (largest opening, estimated). This arch is located 100 meters north of ALG-504 (Scene Arch).

ALG-506, Peephole Arch II, Ti-Spad Area. 1.9 meter height (measured). GPS 32N 575584 2727200. This arch is located 200 meters east of ALG-505 (Triple Support Arch). The name comes from the small peephole on the left of the main opening.

ALG-507, Little Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 2.6 meter span by 1.2 meter height (both measured). This arch is located 100 meters north of ALG-506 (Peephole Arch II).

ALG-508, Hole in the Tower, Ti-Spad Area. 2 by 2 meters (estimated). This arch is located somewhere in the central area of Ti-Spad.

ALG-509, Uncertain Arch, Ti-Spad Area. 3.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located somewhere in the Ti-Spad area. The arch was so named because the author realized when cataloging this opening that he did not have any data and was unable to remember where he found it.

Index Page

Next Arch ALG-262