Azrou Cedar Forest

غابة الأرز بأزرو

A pristine high-altitude forest dominated by rare cedar trees in the heart of the Middle Atlas mountains, accessible from the town of Azrou. The forest offers cool mountain air, stunning hiking trails, and opportunities to spot Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.

Things to do

• Barbary Macaque Spotting — Trek through the cedar canopy to observe Morocco's only wild primate population, most active in early morning hours.
• Cedar Forest Hiking Trail — Walk the marked paths through groves of ancient Cedrus atlantica trees, some over 300 years old, with panoramic Atlas views.
• Visit the Azrou Souk — Explore the traditional Saturday market in Azrou town below the forest, famous for handwoven Berber carpets and local crafts.
• Ifrane Lake Day Trip — Combine forest exploration with a visit to nearby Ifrane's alpine lake, a scenic 20-minute drive for swimming and picnicking.
• Mountain Photography — Capture golden-hour light filtering through cedar branches and distant snowy peaks of the Middle Atlas range.
• Picnicking at Forest Clearings — Pack a meal and relax in designated forest clearings where cool breezes and silence offer respite from lowland heat.

Food to try

• Tagine aux Champignons de Montagne — A slow-cooked stew featuring wild mountain mushrooms foraged from the forest floor, served with argan oil and bread.
• Trout from Local Mountain Streams — Fresh-grilled freshwater trout caught from the forest's cold streams, often prepared simply with lemon and herbs at guesthouses.
• Amlou — A traditional Berber paste made from argan oil, almonds, and honey, spread on warm bread and eaten as breakfast or snack.
• Couscous aux Sept Légumes — Steamed semolina couscous topped with seven seasonal vegetables including turnip and chickpea, a regional Friday specialty.
• Mint Tea at Forest Café — Strong Moroccan green tea with fresh mountain mint and sugar, served in cafés throughout Azrou to warm visitors after hikes.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Macaque Territory — Keep distance from Barbary macaques and do not feed them; they are wild animals and bites can occur if they feel threatened or habituated.
• Dress in Layers — The forest elevation (1,500–2,000 m) means temperatures drop sharply in afternoon and evening; bring jackets even in summer.
• Hire a Local Guide — Guides from Azrou town offer invaluable knowledge of macaque behavior, plant identification, and safe navigation through less-marked trails.
• Support Berber Communities — Purchase souvenirs directly from Berber weavers at the Azrou souk rather than tourist shops to ensure fair wages reach artisans.

Nearby

• Azrou — 1 km
• Dayet Ifrah Lake — 13 km
• Ifrane (Fes & Meknes) — 15 km
• Aguelmame Azigza Lake — 22 km