Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 15 - Unnamed Reef One - Map 1

ALG-147, Hole in the Ceiling Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 14 meter span (measured), 9 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 567990 2729770. This arch is located along the trail from Tin-Aboteka to Tamrit. From the vivouac area of Tin-Aboteka, walk northwest up through rock masses and enshrined sand dunes for 200 meters to a flat area (see ALG-162, Perched Arch). Cross the flat following the trail (check with your guide) for 800 meters or so and leave the Tin-Aboteka reef by going left. Now you walk along the pinnacles of Unnamed Reef One for approximately 2.5 kilometers northwest. Then enter the reef (west) following a oued which takes you to a small saddle. Walk up the saddle to the arch, located on the side of the trail on the right. It is located about 35 minutes of hiking from the bivouac area of Tin-Aboteka.

ALG-148, Bird Table Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 3.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is visible 100 meters from Hole in the Ceiling Arch (ALG-147), up on the reef to the east.

ALG-149, Slender Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 6.4 meter span (measured). From the saddle just beyond Hole in the Ceiling Arch (ALG-147), walk southeast about 100 meters to this beautiful span.

ALG-150, Femur Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 1 meter span (estimated). From Slender Arch (ALG-149), cross the reef straight ahead (east) for about 400 meters to this small arch, which is very hard to find.

ALG-152, Araleg Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 4.3 meter span by 2.9 meter height (measured). GPS 32R 569576 2731073. Find this arch in Unnamed Reef One about 1.5 kilometers east of Hole in the Ceiling Arch (ALG-147). Araleg means "raven" in the Tamahaq dialect.

ALG-151, unnamed arch 33, Unnamed Reef One. 1.5 meter span (estimated). This arch is located relatively close to Araleg Arch (ALG-152).

ALG-153, Propped Arch, Unnamed Reef One. 3 meter height (estimated). Somewhere in a wide area around Araleg Arch (ALG-152) but unfortunately my notes are incomplete on this one. Propped Arch is an example of a propped natural arch.

ALG-146, Tripod Arch, unnamed area. This unusual arch is located on the trail between Tin-Aboteka and Tamrit. From Hole in the Ceiling Arch (ALG-147), continue up the trail (west) to the top of the saddle. Proceed on the trail across the reef for 15 minutes or so to a second saddle which leads you to the higher plateau. From there you leave the Sefar Sandstone Formation and enter the Tamrit Sandstone Formation (see Introduction). Hike for 25 minutes past the second saddle on a magnificent landscape of sand dune and rocks before passing this amazing arch on the side of the trail on the right. You can't miss this arch (in both senses -- it is easy to spot, and you must see this wonderful arch). From this arch it takes about two hours to reach the Tamrit site (Sonatrach camp).

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