Natural Arches of Tassili National Park

Index Page 16 - Tin Kani Area - Map 7

ALG-145, Curious Arch, Tan Zoumaitek Area. 3.3 meter height by 0.75 meter span (measured). GPS 32R 564642 2726033. From Elephant Rock (ALG-9), proceed northeast on the trail to Tan-Zoumaitek site for a few meters and turn left (north). Follow the trail down slickrock for 10 minutes to the great panel of rock art in the shelter on the left. From there, Curious Arch is visible to the north with binoculars. Walk about 400 meters down slick rock to the arch.

ALG-191, Trophy Arch, Tin Kani Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). From ALG-189 or from the Sefar bivouac area (see ALG-57), leave the reefs and walk south across the plateau. Hike the flat landscape on the trails (check with your guide) for about three hours to the reef of Tin-Kani. When you approach the Tin-Kani site you have a great view from the top of a slickrock slope (gully). From the top, climb down the sandy slope south and cross a little valley (wash). On the other side, ascend the strenuous pass (cairned trail) to the flat bowl of Tissouar (official campsite of Tin-Kani). From the campsite located at the bottom of the bowl, continue on the trail (near an isolated spire) and climb up a rocky pass into a deep corridor marked with cairns. At the exit of the pass, the trail passes a beautiful balanced rock. From the balanced rock, continue on the trail and bypass the big enshrined sand dune 200 meters to the arch on the right side of the trail.

ALG-190, Tin-Kani Arch, Tin Kani Area. 25 meter height (estimated). GPS 32R 571975 2718259. From Trophy Arch (ALG-191), proceed on the trail for about 150 meters to the third saddle that leads you out of the reef to the higher plateau. Once on the flat continue on the trail southwest for about 300 meters and keep looking to the left (east). The big arch is furtively visible 100 meters away. This is one of the largest arches found on the Plateau top.

ALG-197, unnamed arch 34, Tin Kani Area. 2 meter span (estimated). From the view of Tin-Kani Arch (ALG-190), leave the trail and cross the gravel flat for about 500 meters west to some rock masses and this arch. The arch can be seen from the trail with binoculars.

ALG-198, unnamed arch 35, Tin Kani Area. 1.5 meter height (estimated). Find this arch behind ALG-197.

ALG-199, unnamed arch 36, Tin Kani Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). Find this arch beyond ALG-197 on the low rock masses.

ALG-200, unnamed arch 37, Tin Kani Area. 1.5 meter span (estimated). Find this arch beyond ALG-197 on the low rock masses.

ALG-201, unnamed arch 38, Tin Kani Area. 5.2 meter span (measured). Find this arch beyond ALG-197 on the low rock masses. This arch is the more attractive of the set.

ALG-196, Colonnade Arch, Tin Kani Area. 3.5 meter height (estimated). From the view of Tin-Kani Arch (ALG-190), proceed on the trail south for about 200 meters. The arch is visible from the trail to the east. Leave the trail and walk 200 meters to the arch. The main trail you leave there goes to Tin-Essou and Jabarren sites and Aroum Pass. Jabbaren site is reached from there with about 6 hours hiking.

ALG-195, unnamed arch 39, Tin Kani Area. 3.7 meter span (measured). From Colonnade Arch (ALG-196), continue a short way (following donkey prints in the sand if still visible) and turn left. Follow the small drainage some distance to the entrance of a joint crack canyon. If dry enough, go through this beautiful slot canyon with laurel and furze (a water plant) for about 200 meters to the exit. Then continue down corridor maybe another 200 meters or so to the arch up on the right (see Map 7 ).

ALG-193, unnamed arch 40, Tin Kani Area. 3.6 meter height (measured). Farther down the corridor from ALG-195, up on the rick to the right.

ALG-194, Surprise Arch, Tin Kani Area. 12 meter span (estimated). This arch is located farther down the corridor from ALG-193, hidden up on the rock (right). The arch cannot be spotted from the corridor floor. It is very hard to get to and requires free-climbing up a crack or use of rope. In the photo, NABS members Tom Budlong and Daniel Putelat are seen under the arch, providing scale. The name comes from the surprise of the team to find an attractive arch there. The area of ALG-193, ALG-194, and ALG-195 can be reached frm the gueltas (potholes) located on the other side of the bowl of Tin-Kani (east). Check with your guide.

ALG-192, unnamed arch 41, Tin Kani Area. 2.5 meter span (estimated). Find this arch about 900 meters northwest of the bowl of Tin-Kani. From the bivouac area go north and climb up the sand dune behind the camp. Then walk through the huge towers northwest until you find the arch up on the rock. It takes some exploring to find this one.

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