Middle Atlas & Dades Valley

The Middle Atlas (Moyen Atlas) stretches between Fès and Marrakesh and is Morocco's green lung: dense cedar forests, mountain lakes, ski resorts, and a landscape that can resemble Switzerland. While the High Atlas is dramatic and dry, the Middle Atlas surprises with astonishing greenery.

Ifrane — "the little Switzerland"

The university town of Ifrane at 1,650 meters is Morocco's strangest place: gabled houses in Alpine style, well-kept parks, clean streets—built by the French as a summer retreat. In winter, snow falls, and the nearby Michlifen ski resort attracts Moroccan skiers (modest infrastructure, but a surreal experience).

Cedar Forest of Azrou

South of Ifrane stretches the largest cedar forest in Morocco—mighty Atlas cedars, some over 800 years old and 40 meters high. In the treetops live Barbary macaques, which can be observed here in their natural habitat (unlike the tourist-acclimated monkeys of Ouzoud).

Bin El Ouidane Reservoir

One of the most beautiful reservoirs in Morocco, nestled between mountains—turquoise water reminiscent of an Alpine lake. Kayaking, fishing, and hiking are possible. The access via the mountain road from Beni Mellal is scenically spectacular.