Erg Chebbi’s towering dunes beside Merzouga
Published on 09/10/2026 at 09:25 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Erg Chebbi is the great field of sand dunes beside Merzouga in southeast Morocco, rising in sweeping curves above the surrounding rocky desert plain. It forms an erg, a concentrated sea of wind-shaped sand that stands out clearly against the flatter hamada around it, and its highest dunes reach about 150 m (490 ft) from the plain.
The sand sea at the edge of the Sahara
Erg Chebbi lies in the far southeast of Morocco, close to the border with Algeria and on the western fringe of the Sahara Desert. The sand field runs broadly north–south beside the Ziz region and has long been known in several languages as the dunes of Merzouga, reflecting the small settlement on its western edge.Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s ergs The ergs of this part of Morocco contrast with the surrounding stone plains and dry steppe, making the shift from rocky ground to deep sand a distinct moment in any journey.The dunes form a compact field of sand
The dimensions of Erg Chebbi give it a clear presence in the landscape. Sources describe a length of roughly 22 to 28 km from north to south and around 5 to 7 km in width from east to west, with the tallest dune crests rising close to 150 m (490 ft) above the surrounding plain.The dune field stretches for more than 20 km Within this area, dunes form ridges and bowls shaped by prevailing winds, with slopes that can be climbed on foot from their lower flanks. Smaller plants appear in places after rainfall, with tough dune grasses anchoring patches of sand at the foot of some slopes.Dune grasses grow after rain at Erg Chebbi
Merzouga and the human edge of the dunes
Merzouga sits on the western side of Erg Chebbi, where the sand meets firmer ground and a paved road approaches the edge of the dune field.Merzouga is the gateway town on the western edge From this edge, low buildings, tracks and palm gardens stand within sight of high sand ridges, so that daily life and the desert meet along a visible line. Other small settlements, including Hassilabied, also stand at the foot of the dunes, but Merzouga is the most widely used name in travel descriptions.
The sand sea is close enough to the edge of Merzouga that visitors can reach the lower slopes directly from accommodation on the western side.Erg Chebbi rises immediately beside the village of Merzouga Approaches from the north commonly pass through Erfoud and Rissani, both oasis towns that mark the transition from wider valley landscapes to the narrower corridor leading towards the dunes.Erfoud and Rissani lie to the north of Erg Chebbi From this direction, the first sight of the high sand ridges rising above the plain often comes after stretches of stonier desert, reinforcing the sense that Erg Chebbi is a distinct enclave of sand within a largely rocky region.
Shape, height and desert conditions
The dunes of Erg Chebbi form long curves with slopes that vary from gentle rises to steeper faces, particularly near the highest crests. Heights around 150 m above the plain make these dunes among the tallest in Morocco, standing high enough that climbing to the top involves a sustained effort in soft sand.The tallest dunes rise to around 150 m The crest lines form narrow ridges where the sand falls steeply on one side and more gradually on the other, showing the effect of prevailing wind directions over time.
Erg Chebbi lies within a desert climate zone, with hot summers, cooler winters and little rainfall over the course of a year.The site sits in a desert climate with low annual rainfall Temperature contrasts between day and night are marked, and the sand responds quickly to sunlight and cooling. On rare rainy days, water can collect briefly in lower hollows before soaking into the sand or evaporating, and the compacted wet sand takes on a different texture and colour from the dry surfaces higher up the slopes.Descriptions of the dunes note changing colours with light
Visiting Erg Chebbi: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Erg Chebbi lies in southeast Morocco near the village of Merzouga, reached by road routes that pass through Erfoud and Rissani before turning towards the dunes.
- The dune field rises directly from the surrounding plain, and the higher ridges involve sustained climbing on soft sand with sections that feel steep underfoot.
- The area is part of Morocco, where 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.
Searching for Erg Chebbi on social platforms
These links open searches for Erg Chebbi on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Erg Chebbi
Where is Erg Chebbi located?
Erg Chebbi is in southeast Morocco near the village of Merzouga, close to the border with Algeria and within the wider Tafilalet region.
What can visitors expect when they reach Erg Chebbi?
Visitors find a compact field of high sand dunes rising from a rocky plain, with ridges and slopes that can be explored on foot from the settlements along the western edge.
What makes Erg Chebbi distinctive among Morocco’s deserts?
Erg Chebbi is distinctive for its tall dunes, about 150 m (490 ft) above the surrounding hamada, concentrated in a relatively small area directly beside an accessible village.
