Dayet Aaoua is the first and best known of the shallow lakes strung along the "circuit des lacs", the scenic loop road through the Middle Atlas plateau north of Ifrane. Ringed by reeds, pasture, and stands of cedar and oak, it is a classic stop for birdwatchers: coots, grebes, herons, and — in good years — flocks of wintering waterfowl work the shallows, and horses graze along the shore.
The catch is the water itself. Dayet Aaoua is fed by rain and groundwater, and in drought years it can shrink dramatically or dry out altogether, leaving a grassy basin instead of a lake. Ask in Ifrane about current conditions before making a special trip. Even at low water the lake circuit is a pleasant drive or bike ride, and cafés near the lakeshore serve tea and tagines on weekends. The lake is about 14 kilometres north of Ifrane, just off the P7215 toward Fès.