Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEFORE YOU GO: CHEFCHAOUEN TO BAB TAZA CHECKLIST
Weather
Trekking is possible year-round, though it can be bitterly cold between November and
March, with snow. There's frequent rain between late September and June. It's fiercely hot in summer,
when some water sources dry up.
Guides
Organise trekking guides through Abdeslam Mouden (
Click here
) in Chefchaouen. Guides
charge Dh400 per day.
Accommodation
Many villages have simple
gîtes
that cost from Dh200 per person including dinner
and breakfast. It's also possible to arrange
gîtes
in person during the trek, though there is a risk that
the guardian may not be around and the
gîte
may be closed - not uncommon. Camping is not encour-
aged as local people don't benefit. But in some areas there are no
gîtes,
so it's the only alternative.
There's one official camping site at the village of Talassemtane. Permission to camp (free) must be ob-
tained from the Eco-Museum in Chefchaouen in advance. Staying with families en route is an option
in some villages and it is possible to stop for tea with locals and to visit weaving and cheese-making
cooperatives.
Maps
From the government 1:50,000 topographical series, survey sheets
Chaouen
and
Bab Taza
cov-
er the Chefchaouen to Bab Taza trek. The Eco-Museum at the entrance to the park has maps of the
routes.
Equipment
Where there are no
gîtes,
a tent is necessary. A decent sleeping bag is essential, and a
light waterproof jacket - rain showers are common. Food and fuel supplies can be bought in
Chefchaouen. Mules to carry your luggage cost from Dh250 per day including muleteer. From August
to October, mules can be hard to organise as they're used for the kif harvest, and prices increase ac-
cordingly.
Day 1: Chefchaouen to Afeska
DURATION 5½-6½ HOURS / DISTANCE 14.5KM / ASCENT 1200M / DESCENT 600M
An early morning start is recommended for the first day, starting on the 4WD track behind
Camping Azilane, with an initially steep ascent climbing through trees to give great views
over Chefchaouen's medina. Skirting the southern slopes of
Jebel el-Kelaâ
(1616m), the
track evens out to follow the stream passing through the hamlet of
Aïn Tissimlane
, before
once again rising in an arc to a high pass by the jagged limestone crags of
Sfiha Telj
. The
views here are astounding in both directions, and on a clear day you can see the Mediter-
ranean in the distance. The climb is a killer with a full pack - the hardest of the trek -
which explains the necessity for a cool early morning start.
The track turns east before descending. Stopping regularly to enjoy the fine views, take
the right (southern) fork where the track splits - this takes you down in an hour or so to
the village of
Azilane
, where there's a homestay option and a
gîte
. If you don't want to
