Faille d'Aledjo

The Faille d'Aledjo is where the main north road was driven straight through a ridge of rock between Sokodé and Kara, leaving vertical walls of stone on both sides of the carriageway and a gap of sky above. It was cut in the colonial period to get the road through the Atakora range. Drivers stop at the top and the view out over the country on either side is the reason.

What's there

• The rock cut - vertical walls on both sides of the road.
• The ridge crossing - the point the road breaks through the range.
• The view - the country on either side from the top of the pass.
• The colonial engineering - the cut driven to get the road north.

When to go

November to March is the dry season with the clearest views. Harmattan haze can cut the view. The road is open year round.

Things to know

It is a road cutting and the visit is a stop rather than a destination. Parking is roadside on a busy route and traffic passes close. There are no facilities.

Nearby

Sokodé is south, and Kara is north.

Key facts