|
Day Three
The start of the third sector has you heading upstream where you will pass the town’s dam and cross the bridge over the Oued Kelaa River. A track then becomes apparent that passes close to the peak of Jebel Azra, though it is not technically part of the walk a quick detour to the peak is well worthwhile for the views. The trail then heads south into countryside that is full of undulating hills to the settlement at Izrafene where you continue south and along a hillside to a spring, the only one between Jebel Azra and Izrafene. The path then continues south again, through a narrow valley and then goes up to the ridge where the path forks off. You take the left fork and follow a trail that goes south east to the village of Abou Bnar. Through the village and down by the river is Sidi Jil, if you go south east from here you will come to another Mausoleum where a 4WD track follows west along the river to a wonderful camping spot on some flat and pleasant pastures which have a spring close by.
Day Four
From the campsite you will have to make your way back to the 4WD track that led you there. Turning to the left and crossing the river you will head into some woodland that is full of pine trees. At a junction you will have to turn right on to a path that gradually climbs the banks of Jebel Lakraa. On this path you will pass many passes and have some great views over the range and out in to the distance. Keep going south to the House of the Talassemtane National Park guardian, who allows trekkers to camp on his grounds. This is a short part of the walk and an early arrival at the campsite will allow for some exploring of the National Park.
|
TRIP FACT FILE
Location: Rif Mountains, Morocco
Getting to Chefchaouen: Buses to and from Chefchaouen to Tangiers take around 3 hours and go via Tatouen. The average price for a return ticket is about 70Dr. Buses also link the town with Casablanca (200Dr, 7 hours) and Rabat (150Dr, 5 hours).
Getting to Morocco: Flights to the nearest airport at Tangier from London cost in the region of £230 return.
Flights to Tangier from the USA start at $1064 from the East Coast and $1800 from the West Coast.
To travel to Tangier from Sydney, Australia flights will cost AU$1900, though you may be better off finding a deal to London.
If you are flying from New Zealand you will have to go via Australia, so we have left New Zealand out of this fact file.
Currency: The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham which divides up into 100 centimes. At the time of publishing the exchange rate was:
GB £1 = Dr16.10
US $1 = Dr8.73
CA $1 = Dr7.77
A $1 = Dr6.43
NZ $1 = Dr5.37
|
Day Five
Another short sector, this final leg will take you from the Talassemtane National Park to the finish point at Bab Taza. A 4WD track from your campsite will take you south west towards Bab Taza, going first down some grassy clearings and close to some grottoes. The trail carries on through some pasture land before heading through woodland on the slopes of Jebel Setsou before finishing in Bab Taza. There is regular transport to Chefchaouen from here and some really lovely cafes to chill in.
Other things to do after the walk
Chefchaouen is a lovely little town that not only is a convenient base for trekking the Rif Mountains but an attraction in its own right. One of the highlights of a visit to the town is just taking the time to walk around absorbing the feel of this historic town.
The walled Kasbah is truly fascinating with some beautiful gardens, the historic caravanserai where traders used to stay, an interesting museum and a pretty little gallery which shows off local and international works of Art. Next to the Kasbah is the Great Mosque which was built in the 1400s, this is a beautiful piece of architecture though non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the complex.
An old Hammam is a great place to spend a few hours, an old bathhouse which is much a local gathering point as much as a wash point. Visiting a Hammam is a very different experience. You will have to take your own towels and you should take swimwear. Women and men are separated.
To get away from the inland heat you could visit the little village of Targa on the Mediterranean coast. This is a historic little settlement with a wonderful stone castle and an equally fascinating mosque that dates back to the 1200s.
Next .....
Switzerland - Wildstrubel Traverse a popular hiking destination
Australia - The Lakes of Fraser Island
England - The Cumbria Way
Return to Active Vacations
| 
