Destination: Morocco

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Hidden Morocco

THREE-FOUR WEEKS / MEDITERRANEAN COAST & MIDDLE ATLAS

This journey from the Rif Mountains, along the coast to the mountains close to the Algerian border and back into the Middle Atlas covers around 900km. Three weeks is a minimum but a month allows more trekking time.



From the Mediterranean Coast to Morocco’s deep south, there are abundant opportunities for finding a Morocco that you may have all to yourself – with a few Moroccan friends, of course. Chefchaouen’s too much of a scene? Stay just long enough to organise a five-day trek via Akchour to the tiny fishing village of Bou Ahmed; try and be here on Tuesday for the weekly souq. Continue east along the coast to Al-Hoceima, gateway to the Al-Hoceima National Park and otherwise a place where fresh seafood and fine beaches offer a fine way to break up the journey. Berkane in Morocco’s far northeast provides few reasons to linger, but it serves as an entry point to the Beni-Sanssen Mountains and the achingly beautiful and flower-filled Zegzel Gorge.

Double back towards Meknès and then south into the Middle Atlas. Head to the quaint mountain town of Azrou to shop for Berber rugs and to organise a trek through the ancient cedar forests of the surrounding highlands. The Berber villages around ‘Ain Leuh in particular are how all the Atlas used to be. As you go further south, landscapes change from green to pink as you enter the Eastern High Atlas region around earth-toned Midelt and the nearby Kasbah des Noyers. Spend two days trekking to the Cirque Jaffar, and another two climbing to the summit, or hire a vehicle and visit the eerily beautiful Gorges d’Aouli.