Azrou Cedar Forest and Cedre Gouraud

The cedar forests around Azrou in the Middle Atlas are among the largest in Morocco, covering high limestone plateaus and slopes in the Fès-Meknès region. Atlas cedars, some centuries old, grow alongside holm oak and in cooler months are dusted with snow. The forest is the home of the Barbary macaque, an endangered primate, and groups of animals are often seen along the roadside and near the Cedre Gouraud, a huge ancient cedar about 17 km from Azrou on the main road, named after a French general. The tree is the best known stopping point, with a small area of stalls and a viewing path, and macaques gather nearby, drawn by visitors. Visitors should not feed the monkeys: the food harms the animals and encourages them to approach people, which can lead to bites and scratches. Walkers can follow forest tracks of varying length from the main road, and the quiet and the smell of resin make the woods a pleasant contrast to the cities. Birdlife, wild boar traces and wildflowers in spring add interest. A typical visit takes two to three hours, longer for walking. Morning is the best time for wildlife, when the animals are most active and the road is quiet; in winter the weather can be cold and snow can close tracks. The forest is free to enter and open all day. From Azrou, a grand taxi to the Cedre Gouraud costs roughly 60 to 80 MAD return, and drivers will wait. Visitors should keep bags secured near the macaques, and carry water and warm layers, since temperatures in the Middle Atlas are much lower than in Fès.