The Dahar, in south-east Tunisia, the new paradise for hikers
- Eric ALAUZEN
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
If we say the Dahar region, you may not be able to locate it on a map of the world... But if you live in or near France, this region is both far and near: far because its landscapes are lunar and as exotic as possible, and near because it's less than three hours by plane from south-east Tunisia...
In French, the town of Tataouine used to mean a town at the end of the world... Well, the Dahar is actually located in the Tunisian governorate of Tataouine, but also in those of Médenine (on which Djerba depends) and Gabès.
But, in fact, for younger audiences this time, Tataouine will remind them of Tatooine, the desert planet in the Star Wars fictional universe, where the Skywalker family hails from. This is hardly surprising, given that many scenes from the famous Star Wars films were shot in the Dahar, whose mineral and lunar landscapes (or Martian landscapes in certain areas) were ideal backdrops.
The Dahar, an immersion in an ancestral way of life
The Dahar region, an ancient crossroads for trade caravans linking sub-Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean, with a history dating back three millennia, is a mountainous area bathed in ochre, pink and red, characterised by its rugged terrain and arid climate. Renowned for its spectacular landscapes shaped by erosion, made up of rocky mountains, deep gorges and desert plateaux, the Dahar has been inhabited for thousands of years, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological sites and troglodytic dwellings (... and dinosaur footprints!) still visible in Matmata and Douiret, dug right into the rock and offering unparalleled thermal insulation!
The Dahar is also characterised by its ksours, fortified granaries built by the Berbers to store their crops and protect themselves from frequent invasions. Witness to an extremely rich cultural heritage - the region was the refuge of nomadic or semi-nomadic Berber-Amazigh tribes - where unique architecture and Berber craftsmanship are still alive, the Dahar boasts an agriculture based on the cultivation of olive trees, fig trees and date palms.
Thanks to the jessours, complex irrigation systems, the inhabitants have long learned to store rainwater (up to 500 mm/year), making cultivation possible in the arid valleys of the Dahar mountains.
Very hot and very dry in summer, mild and sunny in winter, the Dahar has a wide range of temperatures: over 40° in summer, but no more than 5° in winter in the evening and at night.
In 2025, the Dahar attracts travellers in search of authenticity and wild landscapes, where alternative tourism is steadily developing, emphasising trekking, accommodation with local people and the discovery of historic sites. When travellers return from the Dahar, they all speak of a total immersion in an ancestral way of life, shaped by the rigours of an unforgiving desert, but above all of the marvellous warmth and hospitality of its inhabitants, strongly attached to their past and to their customs and traditions, proud of their particularities.
A destination managed by the governance of a DMO since March 2018
The first DMO* (Destination Management Organization) in Tunisia, the Fédération Tourisme Authentique Destination Dahar (FTADD), which places geo-tourism at the heart of the region's tourism promotion alongside nature-culture tourism and hiking tourism, brings together 90% of the region's tourism service providers and represents a particularly interesting model of public/private, win/win partnership.
Chaired by Moncef Zammouri and managed by Rabia Ayed, two personalities who are particularly passionate about and committed to the development of the Dahar region, the FTADD has been working since its creation in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism, the Office National du Tourisme Tunisien (ONTT) and the governorates of Gabès, Médenine and Tataouine, Swisscontact, the Tunisian hotel (FTH) and travel agency (FTAV) federations, Swisscontact, a Swiss organisation for sustainable economic development in emerging countries, and SECO (the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs), has developed a number of highly effective marketing tools to develop the Dahar:
The 142-page travel guide, Destination Dahar©Voyage en Terre Authentique, contains hundreds of cultural and practical details about the Dahar, so you can plan a timeless holiday off the beaten track from the comfort of your own armchair.
The Hiking Topoguide provides assistance and information on the 194 km GTD hike. A must-have guide for hikers who can find out all about the 12 stages of the GTD, with 12 detailed maps and the instructions hikers need to follow along the way. (TND 45, around €13)
The free Destination Dahar© application, the digital tourist guide to the Dahar, which lets you organise your trip, make bookings, find your way around and visit the main sites in the region, even offline.
The FTADD website is comprehensive and informative, as is the Geotourism Dahar website.
The Dahar, Tunisia's trekking paradise
The Dahar region is an exceptional destination for hikers and nature lovers. You'll understand why: the spectacular and varied landscapes promise an immediate change of scenery, a unique cultural and historical heritage, an exceptional geopark that has applied to UNESCO for registration in November 2024, and an immersion in the local culture where travellers can spend the night in troglodytic gîtes or traditional guest houses.
But the Dahar also has trails to suit all levels, from beginners to seasoned adventurers. They can opt for short walks between villages or longer treks through the mountains and hidden oases, in remote and unspoilt areas, far from mass tourism.
Finally, the Dahar is committed to responsible tourism that respects the environment and promotes local traditions. A number of local initiatives encourage eco-tourism and promote sustainable development, allowing hikers to discover the region while helping to preserve it.
The ideal season is between October and April, when temperatures are pleasant and not extreme.
Ideas for preparing your trip to Dahar:
1. The Salon du Randonneur, which takes place in Lyon from 21 to 23 March 2025. The FTADD will be on stand C32 of the Office National du Tourisme Tunisien, and its members will be on hand to give you all the information you need about the Dahar.
2. The FTADD website, click here.
3. The Geotourism website: how to visit the Dahar?
5. The Destination Dahar© brochure in French and English is here.
For more information, don't hesitate to leave us a message here, on our blog.
Many thanks to Skander Zarrad, a Tunisian photographer who works extensively on the many facets of Tunisian tourism, for the sublime photos used to illustrate this article. To see his portfolio, click here.
*A Destination Management Organization (DMO) is an organization responsible for managing and promoting a tourist destination. Its main role is to coordinate the efforts of the various players in the tourism sector, such as hotels, restaurants, attractions, guides, craftsmen and travel agencies, in order to create a harmonious experience for visitors. The DMO develops marketing strategies to attract tourists, while ensuring that tourism development is sustainable and beneficial to the local community. It also carries out market research to understand traveller trends and needs, and can organise events to boost the destination's appeal.
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