Amogjar Pass

The Amogjar pass carries the old route from Atar up onto the Adrar plateau toward Chinguetti, a climb through broken rock with the plain falling away behind, and in shelters below it are prehistoric paintings of cattle, giraffe and human figures made when the Sahara was grassland. A ruined French colonial fort stands near the top. The newer sealed road bypasses the pass, so the old route is now the quieter one.

What you actually see

• The rock paintings - cattle, giraffe and figures from when the Sahara was grass.
• The climb - the old route up onto the Adrar plateau.
• The colonial fort - the ruined French post near the top of the pass.
• The plain below - the view back over the ground the road climbs from.

When to go

November to February is the cool season. Summer heat is extreme with no shade. Morning light is best in the painted shelters.

Honest expectations

The paintings are faded and some have been damaged; a guide is needed to find them. The old route needs four wheel drive. There are no facilities anywhere on the pass.

Nearby

Atar is west, and Chinguetti is east.