North of Taghazout, the coast changes character. The cliffs give way to sand, and behind the beaches the wind and the sea have shaped soft sandstone into narrow canyons, arches and walls that look combed. Timlaline is where we take people in the evening, when the rock turns gold and the sun drops into the Atlantic. This guide explains what the trip is like and how to get the most from it.
An evening trip, not a day trip
Timlaline is often described as a sand-dune visit. Our trip is built around the evening light instead. We leave in the late afternoon, walk through the canyons while the sun is still warm on the rock, watch the sunset from the dunes, and stay on after dark for tea by a campfire. Then we drive you home.
It suits people who do not want to give up a surf session: the morning stays free for the water.
The canyons
The sandstone here is soft and layered. In places the passages are only a body width apart, with high curved walls on both sides and a strip of sky above. In others the rock opens into small caves whose ceilings carry wave-like patterns, like water frozen in stone.
The walking is easy. The floor of the canyons is sand, and you go at your own pace. There are a few short climbs on the dunes; nobody has to do them.
The dunes and the sunset
From the top of the dunes you look out over the ocean. As the sun goes down, the sand and rock change colour from yellow to orange to pink, and then the light goes quickly. It is a quiet moment, and the reason we go in the evening.
Tea by the fire
When it gets dark, the fire is lit and a circle of lanterns glows on the sand. There is Moroccan tea, and there is often music. Night photos from the trip are dark on purpose: there is no big light, just the fire, the lanterns and the stars.
How the evening works
The programme is still being finalised, but it looks like this:
- Pick-up in Taghazout or Tamraght, around 16:30.
- A stop on the coast near Aghroud for a first look at the Atlantic.
- The sandstone canyons and dunes, at an easy walking pace.
- Sunset over the Atlantic from the dunes.
- Moroccan tea and the campfire.
- Back at your door between about 20:00 and 20:30.
The details, the price and the booking button are on the Timlaline excursion page.
What to bring
- A warm layer. This matters most. The coast cools quickly once the sun has gone, even in summer.
- Shoes you can walk in on sand. Trainers or sturdy sandals.
- Water.
- A charged phone or camera. The canyons and the sunset are very photogenic.
- A small torch, or use your phone, for walking back to the van after dark.
Is it for everyone?
Mostly, yes. The walking is easy and there is no need to surf or to be particularly fit. Families are welcome; tell us the ages of the children when you book. If you have trouble walking on soft sand, tell us before the trip and we will plan around it.
Weather
Wind and rain can make the evening unpleasant on the dunes. If the forecast is bad, we move the trip to another day.
Getting there
The drive goes north from Taghazout along the coast road, with the ocean on one side and dry hills on the other. On the way we stop on the cliffs near Aghroud, where you can see the swell lines marching in towards the beaches. From the road to the canyons it is a short walk on sand.
Photographing the evening
The canyons and the sunset are some of the most photogenic places on this coast. A few tips:
- Shoot the canyons early. The best light on the rock comes in the hour before sunset, when it is low and warm. Inside the narrow passages, look up: the line of sky between the walls makes a strong picture.
- Expose for the sky at sunset. Phones tend to brighten everything. Tap on the brightest part of the sky to keep the colour.
- Do not fight the dark. After sunset, the fire and the lanterns are the only light. Keep the photos dark and moody, and switch off the flash: it flattens everything and disturbs the people around you.
- Ask before you photograph people around the fire.
Questions people ask before the trip
Is it cold? In the evening, often yes, especially from autumn to spring. Bring a warm layer even if the afternoon is hot.
Is there food? Tea is part of the evening. If you need a proper meal, eat before or after the trip.
Can I leave early? The group travels together. If you need to be back at a set time, tell us when you book.
Respect the place
The canyons are fragile. You may see names carved into the soft rock by other visitors. Please do not add to them. Take your rubbish home, and leave the fire area as you found it.
Combine it with surf and Paradise Valley
Because it starts in the late afternoon, Timlaline fits after a morning lesson. With the Paradise Valley day trip on a flat day, you see two very different sides of the region in one week without missing good waves.
Want to join? See the Timlaline excursion or message us on WhatsApp.
