Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IFRANE NATIONAL PARK
This 500-sq-metre park encompasses Ifrane and Azrou as well as numerous Berber villages. It is
known for its Atlas cedar trees and the Barbary macaque, an endangered species, and some 30 other
mammals. Birdlife is exceptional and includes red kite, marbled teal, and common kestrel. Two Ram-
sar wetland sites and the lakes
Dayet Ifrah
and
Dayet Aoua
support ruddy shelduck and various
coots.
The
Ifrane National Park Office
(Direction Provinciale des Eaux et Fôrets et de la Lutte contre la
Désertification;
0535 56 12 96; Blvd Hassan II, Azrou;
9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) is in Azrou and
if it's manned, you can pick up a map and information.
Lakes Circuit (Route des Lacs)
A pretty diversion north of Ifrane is the lake circuit around Dayet Aoua. Signposted off the main Fez
road 17km north of Ifrane, the route winds for 60km through the lake country between the P24 and
P20. If you don't have your own vehicle, hiring a grand taxi in Ifrane for a tour of a couple of hours
should cost around Dh300. That said, the joy of the area is to get out and walk along the lake shore
and enjoy the tranquillity of the scenery. This is an area made for hikers and mountain bikers.
Dayet Aoua is surrounded by woodlands, and the whole area is notably rich in bird life. Keep an
eye out in particular for raptors, including booted eagles, black and red kites and harriers. The lake at-
tracts significant numbers of ducks and waders, including crested coot, woodpeckers, tree creepers
and nuthatches, which flit among the trees around the southeastern end of the lake.
The lake is a popular picnic destination for families on weekends, but during the week you'll get the
place largely to yourself. Beyond Dayet Aoua, the road loops east and then south, skirting past Dayet
Ifrah and the even smaller lake of Dayet Hachlaf. The road is decent, but is liable to be snowbound in
winter.
If you want to linger longer, there's a good sleeping option at Dayet Aoua: the delightfully rustic
Le
Gîte Dayet Aoua
( 0535 61 05 75;
www.gite-dayetaoua.com;
r Dh300; ) offers comfortable
rooms with bathroom, all decorated in local Berber style. Have a few days of internet detox (there's no
w-ifi here) and go cycling, horse-riding or walking with a guide. There's a pool, too. Food is Amazigh
cuisine (lunch Dh120).
Exploring the Azrou Area
'Ain Leuh
is a pretty village 25km southwest of Azrou within the Ifrane National Park. The drive
here is through thick forest of cedar and holm oak, so you might just be tempted to stop your vehicle
anywhere and hit the trail. Instead, take in the large Tuesday weekly souq (the best day to get public
transport), which attracts market-goers from around the region, particularly from the Beni M'Guild
Berbers. It's a pleasant climb through the rough streets of flat-roofed houses to a waterfall in the hills
above.
Around 20km south of 'Ain Leuh, an even more picturesque walk leads to the waterfalls at the
Sources de l'Oum-er-Rbia
. Leave the road at Lac Ouiouane and follow the path down past a number
of farmhouses to a small valley, where a bridge crosses the Rbia river. From here, it's about a
15-minute walk to the gorge where several dozen springs break out of the rocks to form a series of
waterfalls. There are a couple of cafes where you can take a rest.
