Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès

{{Short description|Highest mountain in Niger}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès

| photo =

| photo_caption =

| elevation_m = 2002

| elevation_ref = {{Cite web |title=World Ribus – Sahara Desert Ranges

|url=https://worldribus.org/sahara-desert-ranges/|access-date=2024-12-26 |website=World Ribus}}

| prominence_m = 1307

| prominence_ref =

| map = Niger

| map_caption = Location of Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès in Niger

| map_size = 300

| label_position = right

| listing = Country high point
Ribu

| location = Niger

| range = Aïr Mountains

| coordinates = {{coord|17|50|21|N|8|43|13|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref = [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=17.839033,8.720183&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=17.839156,8.720183&sspn=0.03068,0.050297&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=15&lci=lmc:panoramio,lmc:wikipedia_en 17.839033,8.720183] and [http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=17.84692,8.72044&z=15&t=R&marker0=17.83924%2C8.72027%2Cunnamed mapper.acme.com N 17 50' 21" E 8 43' 13"]

| topo =

| type =

| age =

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route =

}}

Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès (also Mont Bagzane, Mont Bagzan) is the highest mountain in Niger. Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès is located in the south central Aïr Mountains, and is at the northern end of the Bagzane plateau. The village and pilgrimage site of Abatol sits at the base of the peak.[http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/photos-niger.htm The Nigerian Field Society: Lagos Branch. Trip to Niger Republic, October 2003] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519010621/http://www.nigerianfield.org/lagos_files/photos-niger.htm |date=2008-05-19 }} The Aouderas valley, the path of a seasonal wash (or Kouri) runs south from the foot of Idoukal-n-Taghès towards Agadez, the regional capital. The oasis town of Aouderas is just southwest of the mountain. Due to its high elevation, mount Idoukal'n'Taghes has been found to host a number of Saharan-Mediterranean and Tropical plant species that have never been recorded elsewhere in Niger.{{cite journal | last1 = Anthelme | first1 = F. | last2 = Waziri Mato | first2 = M. | last3 = Maley | first3 = J. | year = 2008 | title = Elevation and local refuges ensure persistence of mountain specific vegetation in the Nigerien Sahara| journal = Journal of Arid Environments| volume = 72| issue = 12| pages = 2232–2242| doi = 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.07.003 }}

Official Nigerien and international sources believed Mont Gréboun, far to the north, to be the highest peak in the nation as late as 2001, when Gréboun's long standing lower measurement confirmed at {{Convert|1944|m|abbr=on}}, which had variously been measured as high as {{Convert|2310|m|abbr=on}}.[http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=11062 Peakbagger listing]. Compare Jolijn Geels (2006) pp 177, 183-84 and Decalo (1997) p. 216. Greboun has a much greater local relief, rising from near the desert floor, while Idoukal-n-Taghès sits atop a high massif with an average altitude above {{Convert|1600|m|abbr=on}} meters.

To honour the highest point in Niger, the official aircraft of the President of Niger is named Mont Bagzane.[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=5U-BAG&distinct_entry=true Photos of the Boeing 737-2N9C numbered 5U-BAG], with readable title on nose.