Words and pic Massimo Cappuccio
When talking about climbing in north Africa, thoughts immediately turn to the Hoggar Mountains in Algeria or the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. However, little is known about Tunisia’s vertical landscapes. For many westerners, this country is primarily a destination for 4×4 desert trips or relaxing vacations on Mediterranean beaches.
Yet, within the smallest country in the Maghreb, unexpected rock gems are hidden, perfect for sport climbing, despite the absence of large mountain ranges.
The most well-known and frequented mountains in Tunisia are in the Dahar range in the south of the country. These are not very high and have few rock faces suitable for climbing. They are mainly a destination for trekkers and cultural journeys to explore the Ksar (fortified villages) and troglodyte house.
In the north-east of the country, not far from Tunis, where the landscape appears predominantly flat – an actual transitional area between the Tunisian Dorsal and the coastal plain – unexpectedly large rocky islands emerge. These mountain outcrops, some of considerable size, include the most interesting one for climbing: Jebel Zaghouan.
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