Hiking in the Middle Atlas

Simple nomadic spirit or true taste of adventure? Discover the Middle Atlas with hiking or horseback riding. Discover this unique environment that links everything to nature (lifestyle, population, scenery, etc.). Above all, discover the Berber tribes far from Fez with their atypical lifestyle and get in touch with their traditions. In short, treat yourself to a unique stay in the Middle Atlas. Here is an invitation to discover the Atlas, a wild land of culture and free men.

Go to meet the Berbers

Have you always wanted to discover this people apart? Go out and meet the Berber populations, including the Ait Sukhmane who lives in the heart of an Atlas so far preserved and on the high plateaus of nomads Koucer. Throughout the region, you have a succession of mountainous massifs about 350 km long and protected by the Rif, the High and the Middle Atlas concentrate a very diversified nature and you will undoubtedly be seduced the contrast between the lakes of crater color emerald and ancient volcanoes. The trails that lead to it stretch for several kilometers and you can walk through traditional villages with their atypical architecture, their fortified lofts and their accommodation in ecolodge on the nomadic high plateaus.

Crossing the Maritime Pine Forest

For your desire to discover, the Dayet Aoua-Dayet Ifrah tour is a must-see. During your hikes, you will undoubtedly be seduced by this intact and highly preserved nature which offers you magnificent landscapes, in particular the maritime pine forest. Visit the villages of IImma Hanna and the lavender fields with their captivating scents. Once back in Fez, you can relax by drinking mint tea after a hard, but very rich day of walking in the heart of atypical landscapes.

Follow the altitude trails

Leaving the city of Fez, you take a direct path on the paths leading to the mountain, especially those used for centuries by nomads and herds. From Ifrane, access the mountains after taking a nice break at the source Bouyaakoub. On your return, you will cross the magnificent rocky hills of Afafak. Better, a small circuit on the mountainous areas will take you to the ski resorts of Michlifen and Habri.

Discover the circuit of sources and waterfalls

For hikes rich in colors and emotions, follow the small circuit of 22 km round trip that goes through the Ifrane Valley, the cascades of the refuge and the Zaouia Sidi Abesalam. You will certainly enjoy walking in this area quite atypical on foot, on the back of a horse or mountain bike.

Here are some suggestions for hiking tours: IFRANE REGION – MIDDLE ATLAS

Tour 1: Lake Zones

This tour covers mane lakes and passes through Dayet Hachlaf, Dayet Ifrah, Dayet Aoua, Dayet Afouragh and finally Dayet Iffer. The three routes (described below) that can be done in the form of hiking or horse riding form a total of 172km (round trip) passable by car.

Excursion 1: Dayet Aoua -> Dayet Ifrah:

• 08:30 Departure from Ifrane to Dayet Aoua (by vehicle)
• 09:00 Departure from Dayet Aoua
• 10:30 Crossing the Maritime Pine Forest
• 11:00 Visit to Ilmma Hanna village
• 13:00 Visit of the El Hajjaj Plan (lunch)
• 14:30 Visit of the lavender field
• 15:00 Arrival at Dayet Ifrah
• 15:30 Back to Dayet Aoua
• 16:30 Departure to Ifrane
• 17:00 Arrival to Ifrane

Excursion 2: Ifrane -> Imma Hanna:

• 08:30 Departure from Ifrane on foot
• 09:30 Arrival at the valley of the rocks
• 10:00 End of crossing the Afkfak Glade
• 11:00 Arrival at the seven sources
• 12:30 Arrival at Dayet Hachlaf (lunch)
• 14:30 Visit to Imma Hanna Lake
• 15:00 Arrival in El Hajjaj (village)
• 15:30 Return to Dayet Aoua by vehicle
• 16:30 Departure to Ifrane

Excursion 3: Ifrane -> Valley of the Rocks:

• 08:00 Departure from Ifrane
• 09:00 Break at the sources of Bouyaakoub
• 10:00 Arrival at the Valley of the Rocks
• 12:00 Arrival at the North / East border
• 12:30 Lunch (Panorama of Tizi ‘n Tghinten)
• 13:30 Crossing the rocky hills of Afakfak
• 15:30 Arrival at the Hamlet of Zerouka
• 15:45 Break at Lake Zerouka
• 16:30 Arrival in Ifrane

Excursion 4: El Hajjaj -> Imma Hanna:

• 08:00 Departure from Ifrane to El Hajjaj (by vehicle)
• 08:45 Start of the hike
• 09:45 Arrival at Ifrah Lake
• 11:00 Visit of the lavender field
• 12:00 Arrive at the lawn and Lake Hachlaf
• 13:30 Lunch at Lake Hachlaf
• 14:45 Departure to the seven sources
• 16:15 Arrival at Imma Hanna’s lake
• 16:45 Departure by car to Dayet Aoua
• 18:45 Departure to Ifrane

Excursion 5: Imma Hanna -> Afourga

• 08:30 Departure of Ifrane by vehicle
• 09:00 Arrive at Imma Hanna
• 10:00 Arrival on the rocky plateau of Ifrah
• 11:00 Arrival at the lavender field
• 12:30 Arrival at Lake Iffer (Lunch)
• 15:00 Arrival in the mixed forest of Afourga
• 15:45 Back to the vehicle
• 16:15 Coffee break in Dayet Aoua
• 17:00 Back to Ifrane

Tour 2: Sources and Waterfalls Area:

Small circuit of 22km (round trip) passing through the Ifrane valley, waterfalls of the refuge and Zaouia Sidi Abdeslam (on foot, horseback or mule, mountain bike)

• 08:00 Departure from Ifrane
• 09:00 Crossing the Ifrane Valley
• 10:00 Break in Vittel
• 11:00 Visit of the Cascade of the Virgin
• 12:30 Visit of the caves of the course
• 14:30 Break at the Refuge Waterfall
• 15:00 Arrival at the Village of Taghlouine
• 15:30 Lunch at the caves
• 16:30 Arrival in Zerouka
• 17:00 Arrival to Ifrane

Circuit 3: Mountainous areas

This tour includes visits to the two ski resorts, Michlifen and Habri, as well as the Ras El Ma fish farm station, the chasm plateau and the cedar Gouraud.

Excursion 1: Michlifen-> Jbel Hebri :

• 08:00 Departure from Ifrane
• 08:30 Arrival at Michlifen station
• 08:45 Passage of the Michlifen Télé-ski pass
• 09:00 Crossing the cedar forest
• 10:00 Visit to the Chasm Plateau
• 12:30 Lunch at Lake Aquelmam ‘n Tghlwin
• 15:30 Arrival at Jbel Hebri
• 16:15 Break in Azrou
• 17:00 Departure to Ifrane

Excursion 2: Michlifen -> Ras El Ma:

• 08:00 Departure from Ifrane
• 08:25 Arrival at Michlifen station
• 09:00 Passage through the great forests of Michlifen
• 11:30 Arrival at the forest of Ras El Ma
• 12:30 pm Lunch
• 15:00 Visit of the fish farm station
• 16:00 Departure by car to Azrou
• 17:30 Back to Ifrane