Erg Chebbi: Morocco’s high dunes beside Merzouga
Published on 09/16/2026 at 11:56 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
On the edge of Merzouga in south-eastern Morocco, Erg Chebbi forms a compact sea of tall Sahara dunes rising sharply from the surrounding stony plain. The dune field runs roughly north–south near the Algerian border, its wind-built ridges creating one of Morocco’s best-known sand landscapes.
Erg Chebbi as a Saharan dune sea
Erg Chebbi is classed as an erg, a broad sand sea shaped by wind that contrasts with the harder hamada, or rocky desert, around it. The dunes here reach about 150 m (492 ft) above the adjacent plain, forming steep faces that catch the light in bands of orange and gold as the sun moves across the sky.The dunes reach about 150 m The overall dune field extends for roughly 22 to 28 km (13.7 to 17.4 mi) from north to south and between about 5 and 7 km (3.1 to 4.3 mi) from east to west, forming a relatively narrow but high ridge of sand along the desert edge.extends for roughly 22 to 28 km
The erg lies in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Saharan Morocco, with map sources placing its centre at just over 31° north and close to 4° west, at an elevation of around 740 to 980 m (2,428 to 3,215 ft) above sea level.lies in the Drâa-Tafilalet region The sand rises directly out of the flat reg and hamada, producing a marked boundary between the pale, compact ground of the surrounding desert and the softer, sculpted slopes of Erg Chebbi itself.
Merzouga and the villages around the dunes
Merzouga is the main gateway settlement on the western edge of Erg Chebbi, a small town whose buildings line the base of the dunes and the low desert beyond.Merzouga is the main gateway settlement North of Merzouga, other small villages such as Hassilabied and Khamlia also sit close to the sand, each with simple streets that run towards the desert and various lodging and excursion bases.villages such as Hassilabied and Khamlia
From the edge of these communities the transition is abrupt: low houses and tracks give way quickly to rising lines of sand, and it is possible to go from compact ground to dune slopes within a short walk. The built edge of Merzouga extends along part of the erg’s western margin, while to the north and south the dunes meet more open, sparsely built desert.
Shape, colour and scale of the dunes
Seen from above, Erg Chebbi has a bean-like outline, with its long axis running north–south and a gentle curve that follows the local terrain.has a bean-like outline Individual dune ridges within this outline range from modest undulations to high crests, some rising close to the erg’s maximum height difference of about 150 m over the surrounding desert.maximum height difference of about 150 m The sand grains are fine and produce smooth, continuous slopes with sharp ridgelines and softer lee faces.
The colour of the dunes shifts with the angle of the sun and the weather, taking on pale tones under high midday light and deeper orange shades when the sun is lower. Wind reshapes the crest lines and slip faces over time, moving sand along the ridges and subtly altering the exact form of the tallest dune crests while the overall mass of the erg remains in place.
Visiting Erg Chebbi: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Erg Chebbi lies in south-eastern Morocco near the Algerian border, with Merzouga and neighbouring villages on its western edge; travellers generally approach by road through towns such as Erfoud and Rissani.
- The terrain within the dune field consists of soft sand with steep slopes on the higher ridges, requiring firm footwear and readiness for walking on yielding ground rather than compact paths.
- In this part of Saharan Morocco, summers can bring high daytime temperatures and winters cooler nights, so visiting conditions vary markedly between seasons.
- The official language is Arabic and the currency is the Moroccan dirham.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Erg Chebbi
Where is Erg Chebbi located?
Erg Chebbi is in south-eastern Morocco near the Algerian border, with its western edge beside the village of Merzouga in the Drâa-Tafilalet region.
What should visitors expect on a first visit?
Visitors encounter a compact field of tall sand dunes rising above rocky desert, with soft slopes, high crests and small settlements lining parts of the western margin.
What makes Erg Chebbi distinctive among Moroccan deserts?
Erg Chebbi combines relatively high dunes of around 150 m with a clearly defined bean-shaped dune field directly adjoining Merzouga and other villages in Saharan Morocco.
