The Cedar Forest of Azrou and Ifrane

Explore the Atlas cedar forests between Azrou and Ifrane: the trees, the endangered Barbary macaques, the Gouraud cedar site and hiking trails.

The air changes as you drive south from Ifrane. It becomes cooler, fresher and scented with resin. On both sides of the road, tall trees with layered, flat branches rise from a carpet of needles. These are Atlas cedars, some of them centuries old, forming one of the largest cedar forests in the world. And moving between the trunks, often sitting calmly by the roadside, are groups of Barbary macaques, Africa's only macaque species. The cedar forest of the Middle Atlas is one of Morocco's natural treasures, and one of its most surprising landscapes.

The Atlas Cedar

The Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is a conifer native to the mountains of Morocco and Algeria. It grows at altitudes from about 1,300 to 2,600 metres, in areas with cold winters and enough rain or snow. Mature trees can reach 40 metres or more in height and live for several centuries; some are believed to be close to a thousand years old.

The cedar's wood is fragrant, durable and resistant to insects, which is why it has been prized for centuries in Moroccan architecture. Look up at the carved and painted ceilings of the palaces and madrasas of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech, and you're looking at cedar from these forests. Cedar oil, distilled from the wood, is used in perfumes and traditional medicine.

Morocco's cedar forests cover a large area of the Middle Atlas and parts of the High Atlas and Rif. The forests around Azrou and Ifrane are among the most extensive and accessible.

The Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve

In 2016, UNESCO designated the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve, covering a large part of the Middle Atlas, including the forests around Ifrane and Azrou and Ifrane National Park. Biosphere reserves aim to combine conservation of ecosystems with sustainable development for local communities.

The forests are important not only for biodiversity but also for water: the Middle Atlas acts as a "water tower" for Morocco, feeding rivers such as the Sebou and the Oum Er-Rbia. The forests help regulate water flow and protect soils from erosion.

The Barbary Macaque

The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is the only macaque found in Africa and the only wild primate north of the Sahara apart from humans. It lives in forests of the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Rif in Morocco, and in Algeria, with a small introduced population in Gibraltar. The cedar forests of the Middle Atlas are home to the largest population.

Macaques live in social groups of 10 to 100 individuals, organised around related females. Unusually among primates, males play an active role in caring for infants, carrying and grooming them. They feed on leaves, seeds, fruits, insects, roots and cedar bark, especially in winter when food is scarce.

The Barbary macaque is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Its population has declined sharply in recent decades, due to habitat loss and degradation, and especially the illegal capture of infants for the pet trade, often for sale in Europe. Conservation efforts in Morocco include education, anti-poaching measures and research.

Where to See the Macaques

The most popular place to see macaques is near the site of the Gouraud Cedar, about 10 km from Azrou on the road toward Ifrane and Midelt. Groups of macaques frequent the area around the parking lot, where they've become used to people. You'll often see them sitting on the ground, grooming each other, playing or moving through the trees.

Other places in the forest, away from the road, offer more natural encounters, though macaques are shyer there. A local guide can help you find them.

The Gouraud Cedar

The Gouraud Cedar, named after a French general, was once one of the largest and oldest cedars in the region. The tree died in the early 2000s, and its trunk has since decayed, but the site remains a popular stop. Around the parking area, you'll find stalls selling souvenirs, fossils and cedar wood crafts, as well as horse rides and cafés.

Watching Macaques Responsibly

At the Gouraud Cedar site, vendors sell peanuts and other snacks for feeding the macaques. Please don't feed them. Feeding:

causes obesity, dental problems and disease;
changes their natural behaviour and makes them dependent on humans;
encourages aggression, as monkeys may grab food or bags;
attracts them to roads, where many are killed by cars;
increases the risk of disease transmission between humans and monkeys.

Instead:

Observe them quietly from a distance of several metres.
Don't touch them, even if they approach.
Keep food and drinks out of sight.
Don't take selfies holding or sitting next to macaques.
Avoid using flash photography.
Support conservation organisations working with macaques.

Hiking in the Cedar Forest

The cedar forest offers excellent walking, from short strolls to full-day hikes. Paths and forest tracks wind among the trees, with clearings, springs and viewpoints. Some suggested walks:

Around the Gouraud Cedar: short walks into the forest from the parking area, where crowds quickly thin out.
Ifrane National Park trails: marked and unmarked trails around Ifrane, the Michlifen crater and Jbel Hebri.
Azrou to Ain Leuh: longer walks through cedar and oak forest toward the village of Ain Leuh.
Lakes circuit: walks around Dayet Aoua and other lakes near Ifrane.

A local guide can lead you to the best spots, help you find wildlife and explain the forest's ecology.

Other Wildlife

Besides macaques, the cedar forest is home to wild boar, red foxes, jackals, genets and many birds. Birdwatchers can look for Levaillant's woodpecker, Atlas flycatcher, firecrest, crossbill, short-toed treecreeper and birds of prey such as booted eagles and goshawks. In spring, wildflowers bloom in the clearings.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May): green forest, flowers, active wildlife. Ideal for hiking.
Summer (June to August): cool and pleasant, a refuge from the heat of the lowlands. Busy on weekends.
Autumn (September to November): calm, with beautiful light.
Winter (December to February): snow often covers the forest, creating a magical landscape. Roads may be affected by snow.

Getting There

From Fes: about 1.5 hours by car via Ifrane.
From Meknes: about 1.5 hours.
From Ifrane: about 20 minutes.
From Azrou: about 15 minutes.

The forest is easy to visit by car or with a driver. Many day trips from Fes include Ifrane, Azrou and the cedar forest.

Cedar Forest Through the Seasons

Each season transforms the forest. In winter, snow weighs down the flat branches of the cedars, and the forest becomes silent and white; macaques huddle together for warmth and strip bark for food. Spring brings fresh green growth, wildflowers and the birth of baby macaques, often carried by both mothers and males. Summer offers cool shade and long days for hiking. In autumn, the light turns golden and the oak trees mixed among the cedars change colour.

Threats to the Forest

The cedar forests face serious challenges:

Overgrazing: large flocks of sheep and goats prevent young cedars from growing.
Illegal logging: for valuable cedar wood.
Drought and climate change: reducing growth and increasing tree mortality.
Pests and disease: attacking weakened trees.

Morocco's forestry agency and partners are working on reforestation, sustainable grazing and community involvement. As a visitor, supporting local guides, buying responsibly sourced crafts and respecting the forest helps.

Private tours that visit the Middle Atlas cedar forest

Want to see the Middle Atlas cedar forest without worrying about transport? These private tours with a local driver-guide include it, and each one can be adjusted to your dates and pace:

2 Days from Fes to Merzouga and the Sahara (2 days / 1 night)
3 Days from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga (3 days / 2 nights)
3 Days from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara (3 days / 2 nights)
4 Days from Fes to Marrakech via Erg Chebbi (4 days / 3 nights)

Prefer your own route? Ask for a tailor-made tour and we will build it around the Middle Atlas cedar forest.

Final Thoughts

The cedar forest between Azrou and Ifrane offers a different side of Morocco: cool mountain air, majestic trees and wild primates. Visit to walk among ancient cedars and watch Barbary macaques, but do it responsibly. These forests and their inhabitants are precious and fragile, and how we behave as visitors can help protect them for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see monkeys in Morocco?

In the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, especially near the Gouraud Cedar site between Azrou and Ifrane.

Can I feed the monkeys in the cedar forest?

No. Feeding harms their health and behaviour.

What is the Gouraud Cedar?

A once-famous ancient cedar near Azrou, now dead, whose site remains a popular stop for seeing macaques.

How old are the cedars in the Middle Atlas?

Some are several centuries old.

Is the Barbary macaque endangered?

Yes, it's classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

Can I visit the cedar forest without a car?

Yes. Grand taxis run between Azrou and Ifrane, and drivers can stop at the Gouraud Cedar site on request. Many day tours from Fes also include it.

Sources

Explore our trips

Imperial cities tours 13 Desert tours from Fes 6 Private tours from Marrakech 9

The Cedar Forest of Azrou and Ifrane: Walking Among Ancient Trees and Barbary Macaques