Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Follow the 4WD track along the riverbed northwest out of Aït Igrane, picking up the
narrow rocky mule path where the 4WD track crosses the river then turns sharp left. The
mule path leads around the north side of
Lac d'Ifni
(2295m), across sharp, rocky, barren,
inhospitable terrain. The climb is steep at first, but it descends to the northeastern corner
of Lac d'Ifni, an inviting expanse of green water (safe for swimming). The walk to the
lake should take three hours. Before you reach the shore, you will pass a
shack
marked
'café'. There's no coffee here, but if it's attended you may be able to buy water, soft
drinks and, with any luck, a tajine.
On the small beach on the northern shore are shady (if occasionally fly-filled)
stone shel-
ters
. If it's rainy, camping nearer the next pass is treacherous, and you're better off finding
a campsite above the lake.
Every October, villagers from the surrounding area gather at Lac d'Ifni for a three-day
moussem
in honour of a local
marabout,
whose tomb,
Sidi n'Ifni,
sits high above the south-
eastern corner of the lake. A track leads from the northeast shore up to the tomb.
From the northwestern side of the lake, the track crosses the wide, dry part of Lac d'Ifni
before the long trudge towards Tizi n'Ouanoums. The path climbs through a rocky gorge,
keeping to the south side of the river. About 3.5km from the lake, you'll reach
Azib Imi
n'Ouassif
(2841m), situated at a crossing of dramatic gorges. Beyond this point the path
climbs steeply to Tizi n'Ouanoums, with winds near the summit and small, frigid water-
falls. You'll find flat, rocky areas for pitching tents and shelters in surrounding cliffs long
used by local shepherds.
