Rising in the mountains of Dogu’a Tembien in northern Ethiopia, it flows southward to empty in the Giba and Tekezé River.

[1] It is a confined ephemeral river, locally meandering in its narrow alluvial plain, with an average slope gradient of 43 metres per kilometre.

On some steep slopes, exclosures have been established; the dense vegetation largely contributes to enhanced infiltration, less flooding and better baseflow.

[6][7] Transhumance takes place in the summer rainy season, when the lands near the villages are occupied by crops.

The gorges are particularly attractive as a transhumance destination zone, because there is water and good growth of semi-natural vegetation.