Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mountain guide
Abdellah Massoudi
( 0673 22 91 22; per person per day Dh200, min Dh500)
leads
treks in the park of various lengths, staying overnight in
gîtes
. Visits to local artisans are
encouraged.
You can also walk to El Peñón de Velez de la Gomera along the coast from Cala Iris in
1½ hours. Without your own transport, you'll need to hire a grand taxi to get there. In
summer there may be enough people to share one, otherwise expect to pay Dh150 one
way.
Central Rif region
Of the 15,000 people living in the park, most are of the Bokkoya tribe and live in rural
communities centred around fresh water supplies. The women have good knowledge of
the medicinal use of local herbs such as the abundant lavender and thyme.
A number of rare trees can be found here, such as wild carob and the endangered thuya,
highly prized for its wood. Other plants include wild olive, ilex, pomegranate, ericas,
bulbs and orchids. Animals include jackals, wild boar, rabbits and hares.
Coastal region
This area of the park extends out to sea and is rich in biodiversity. There are 86 species of
fish and three types of dolphin. Many species represented here are rare elsewhere in the
Mediterranean, such as red coral, various molluscs and algae. Among the birds, there is a
considerable population of osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
.
There are several remote and scenic beaches, of which the highlight is the fantastic
sight of El Peñón de Velez de la Gomera, one of the
plazas de soberanía
(
Click here
)
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cala Iris & Torres de Alcala
Cala Iris now lies inside the Al-Hoceima National Park. It has a small fishing port and a
beautiful sandy beach that's empty out of season - for now. Construction of an eco-resort
is due to start in 2017. There's nowhere to stay here but there is a rough-looking, nameless
restaurant behind the Cooperative des Marins Pecheurs that serves typical Berber food.
