Fint, the hidden oasis of Ouarzazate

Why Fint means hidden

In Tamazight, Fint means hidden. After driving for a while on a dirt road, it is hard to imagine that an oasis could appear on the horizon. In fact Fint lies below the horizon. At kilometre 10 the track starts to zigzag downhill, and suddenly you see it: a glorious date palm oasis tucked between the hills.

Early in the day children run to the primary school, women bake bread in outdoor ovens and others wash clothes in the river. Some men work in the gardens while others ride motorcycles to Ouarzazate. Fint is a great place to take a break, with lunch in a small guest house or a picnic in the shade of a palm.

What to do in Fint

If you enjoy nature, hiking and village life, Fint is a must. Most travellers come for a day, but spending a night is rewarding too. Staying with a local family is a great way to experience village life, and usually cheaper, in a region known for its warm hospitality.

• Stroll through the oasis and its gardens.
• Hike from the lower river up to the upper side of the valley.
• Spend a night with a local family and taste Amazigh village life.

How to get to Fint

Fint is only 12 km south of Ouarzazate, but the rough dirt road turns the short drive into about 45 minutes through a desert landscape. The tarmac gives way to a small rocky track: a small car can make it if driven slowly and carefully, though a four wheel drive is best. Grand taxis leave from near the bus station and Place Al Mouahidine, and the driver waits while you visit.

The most fun way to get there is by quad, buggy or horse. Quad Ouarzazate runs three hour rides to Fint across arid plateaus and along the Ouarzazate river, and the full day tours include the oasis too. Road conditions and taxi fares can change, so check locally before you go.

Snow on the palms and the way back

In 2018, on a rare occasion, snow fell on Ouarzazate. The photographs of Fint covered in white shown here are by Abdellah Azizi. On the way back, turn left when you reach the main road and drive to the Kasbah of Tifoultoute, more than 300 years old. From its rooftop you get sweeping views of the Ouarzazate river, the city and the Atlas Mountains. You can then return to town or stop at the film studios, where some sequences of The Way Back were shot on the same set as Kundun at Atlas Studios.