Cedar Forest and Barbary Macaques

Dense cedar forest with wild Barbary macaques along the road toward Azrou

The cedar forests stretching between Ifrane and Azrou are among the most impressive in North Africa — old-growth Atlas cedars reaching 30 metres, with dense undergrowth and a genuine sense of wildness. The best stands are accessible along the road south toward Azrou, about 15 kilometres from Ifrane.

Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) live throughout these forests and have become remarkably habituated to roadside visitors. Groups of 20 or 30 are common along the main road; they approach cars and will climb on you if you let them. Enjoy the encounter but don't feed them — it disrupts their natural foraging behaviour and creates dependency. The deeper forest rewards proper walking; trails head into the trees from several points on the Azrou road.

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The Barbary macaque is the only macaque living in Africa and the only wild monkey found in Morocco. Classified as endangered, the Middle Atlas cedar forests are one of their last strongholds. The forest around Ifrane and Azrou holds one of the largest remaining populations — though feeding them is discouraged, as it changes their behaviour and diet.