Day trip to the Middle Atlas from Fes: Ifrane and Azrou

This day trip from Fes to Ifrane climbs into the Middle Atlas in about an hour and shows you a different Morocco: Ifrane, a town of pitched roofs that looks more alpine than North African; the Azrou cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques; and mountain lakes such as Dayet Aoua.

It’s a private tour: the vehicle and driver are just for your group, with pick-up from your accommodation in Fes.

Morning pick-up in Fes. The road climbs south and the landscape changes to oak and cedar woods and meadows. First stop, Ifrane, with its gabled houses and gardens, more like an Alpine village than a Moroccan town.

Then the cedar forest near Azrou, where the Barbary macaques usually come out, and the town of Azrou itself. On the way, Dayet Aoua lake and tea with a nomadic Berber family. Back to Fes in the afternoon.

Any season works, but each feels different. In spring and autumn the forest is green and the temperatures are good for walking. In summer it’s a cool escape from Fes. In winter it can snow in Ifrane and in the forest, so bring warm clothes.

Many of our tours cross the Middle Atlas on the way to the desert, such as the 3-day tour from Fes to Marrakech or the Marrakech to Fes tour.