Ifrane Province: Forests and Winter

Altitude, forests and water

Ifrane lies in the Middle Atlas at 1,713 metres above sea level, between Meknès and Fès. Ifrane Province is considered an outstanding destination for winter tourism. Its altitude and distinctive natural landscape give the region a different focus from a stay centred primarily on culture or outdoor activities.

The province includes 116,000 hectares of forest, including 48,000 hectares of cedar forest, which is considered national natural heritage. Several rivers, springs and internationally recognised lakes are also part of this landscape. The province is therefore considered an important water reserve for Morocco. Travellers who pay particular attention to forest and water landscapes when choosing a destination will find both as defining regional features here.

Nature experiences and a range of activities

Hiking in Ifrane offers the opportunity to see Barbary macaques and Barbary deer. The province’s tourist offerings also include birdwatching and fishing, as well as golf, a high ropes course and skiing. These varied activities give you the flexibility to choose the focus of your trip based on your group’s interests, rather than associating the region with just one type of holiday.

For a more specific sense of location, it is worth considering two destinations with stated distances. Ras El Maa is 5 km from the centre of Ifrane. There you will find tanks at the National Centre for Fish Farming, where Atlas brown trout are raised in particular; the Ras El Maa fish farm is one of the province’s leisure and cultural facilities. The Michlifen resort is in the mountains, 17 km from the town of Ifrane. Activities there include hiking, horse riding and a high ropes course. In winter, skiing and sledging are offered at the Michlifen resort and at Jbel Hibri. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can take these distances into account when deciding whether Ifrane itself or the destinations outside the city mentioned here should be the focus of your trip.

Culture in Ifrane and the province

Ifrane also offers cultural points of interest: the Lion of Ifrane is considered one of the city’s landmarks. Regional crafts on display include carpet-making, mat weaving, pottery and items made from thuja wood. The Musée écologique is one of the province’s leisure and cultural facilities. A small railway is presented as a way to explore the streets of Ifrane. So, alongside nature and outdoor activities, crafts, an urban landmark and cultural facilities are also among the themes you can choose for your trip.

Events

The national Ahidous Festival in Aïn Leuh in Ifrane Province was announced for its 25th edition, from 23 to 25 July. The Festival international d’Ifrane is also listed in the province’s tourism and cultural events programme.

For other locations within the province: Ifrane, Azrou. Other destinations at the same level: Errachidia, Khenifra Province.

For the broader travel overview: Meknès-Tafilalet.