The Switzerland of Morocco: cedar forests, snow, and Barbary macaques
Set in the heart of the Middle Atlas at 1,665 metres, Ifrane was built by the French colonial administration in 1929 as a summer retreat, and the European ambition of its design remains startling. Red-roofed chalets line clean boulevards, parks are immaculately maintained, and the cool mountain air carries the scent of cedar and pine. The city is home to Al Akhawayn University, an English-language institution that gives Ifrane a young, cosmopolitan energy quite unlike any other Moroccan city.
The cedar forests surrounding Ifrane are among the most beautiful in North Africa: ancient groves of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) that shelter the largest remaining population of Barbary macaques in Morocco. These sociable, tail-less primates are accustomed to visitors and can often be found beside the road, making Ifrane one of the best places in the world to observe this endangered species in its natural habitat. The Michlifen ski resort, 18km away, offers Morocco's best (and most accessible) skiing from December through February.
Just south of Ifrane, the landscape opens into a series of high plateaux and crater lakes: Dayet Aoua, Dayet Ifrah, and Dayet Hachlaf, important wintering grounds for migratory birds. The lakes attract flamingos, herons, and dozens of other species, making the Ifrane region a favorite for birdwatchers. Between Ifrane and Azrou, the cedar forest road is one of the most beautiful drives in Morocco at any time of year.
Morocco's famous wild primates inhabit the cedar forests around Ifrane, one of the best places in the world to see this endangered species.
Ancient Atlas cedar groves stretching across the Middle Atlas plateau, cathedral-like in scale and atmosphere.
Morocco's best ski resort, 18km from Ifrane, open December to February with excellent slopes for beginners and intermediates.
A beautiful volcanic crater lake south of Ifrane surrounded by cedar forest, excellent for birdwatching and picnics.
A prestigious English-language university modelled on US campuses, an unexpected feature that gives Ifrane a vibrant intellectual character.
The French-built chalet-style villas and cobblestone streets create a uniquely European atmosphere at the heart of the Atlas Mountains.
June to September for warm mountain weather and macaque sightings. December to February for skiing and snow. Spring brings wildflowers and migratory birds to the crater lakes.
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