Day Trip to the Middle Atlas

An introduction to the diversity of the Middle Atlas towns, including the traditional town of Sefrou, the cave dwellers of Bahlil and the pseudo-Swiss town of Ifrane, together with a visit to the Cedar Forest of Azrou.

**Please Note: Naturally Morocco's excursions are only available as part of an itinerary booked through us that includes accommodation and transport.**

Fez - Sefrou

The trip leaves Fez at around 10am for an exciting 30km drive towards the south across the breadbasket of Morocco to the foothills of the Middle Atlas ranges and the small town of Sefrou. Near the town there are some attractive waterfalls. The town has a small authentic medina and on Thursdays there is a souk which, whilst being small in scale, is very traditional. It is a quiet town, an interesting contrast to the hubbub of Fez, except during the Cherry Festival in early June when the place is buzzing for three days.

Sefrou - Bahlil

From Sefrou your journey takes you up the escarpment to the remains of a French military outpost that has spectacular views over the town, surrounding countryside and the distant Rif mountains. The journey continues on to the village of Bahlil which, though pretty in its own right, is most interesting for its cave dwellings, which are still in use today and can be visited with a guide.

Bahlil - Ifrane

From Bahlil the route winds through the countryside southwards to the small 1920s French-built hill station of Immouzer Du Kandar (1,220m). Here you can stop by the Kasbah for a look at the little medina and take in the pleasant Saiss Plateau and distant Fez, before continuing on to the squeaky-clean Moroccan pseudo-Swiss town of Ifrane (1,650m), with its slanted, russet-tiled roofs hidden amidst a cedar forest which clothes the hills above 1,600m. Ifrane is mainly a winter ski resort and a summer hideaway for rich Moroccans wishing to escape the hustle and heat of the large cities.

Ifrane - Asrou Forest - Fez

After lunch the road takes you alongside the trailing edge of the cedar forest close to Azrou where you will have the chance to undertake a short walk into the forest and if you are lucky you will see, and possibly feed, Barbary macaques, an endangered species. At around 4.30pm you depart the forest returning to Fez at around 6.30pm.

Day Trip to the Middle Atlas

1. Depart Fez 10.00am
2. Sefrou
3. Sefrou - Bahlil
4. Bahlil - Ifrane
5. Ifrane - Azrou Forest
6. Azrou Forest - Fez
7. Arrive Fez 6.30pm

Duration: 1 day
Location: Middle Atlas
Trip Grade: Easy