The Chiffa Gorge cuts through the Atlas Mountains about 60km south of Algiers. The gorge is one of the main natural attractions near the capital: a dramatic river canyon with cedar and pine forest, waterfalls, and the last significant population of Barbary macaques in Algeria. The macaques (called singes du Ruisseau des Singes — monkeys of the monkey stream) are habituated to people and will approach for food, though feeding them is officially discouraged.
The road through the gorge passes through several small settlements and rises to the Chrea plateau, where there is a modest ski station that operates in winter. The drive from Algiers takes about an hour. The gorge is cooler than the city in summer and is popular with Algerian families on weekends.