Mountains in Morocco, it is the great chain of Atlas and the Rif is, famous from the earliest antiquity.
And among these mountains, the High Atlas, Deren, the "mountain of mountains" Phoenicians and Greeks, known since the dawn of ancient times as the domain of the legendary Giant Atlas holding up the world.
THE HIGH ATLAS
Along more than 700 km, with 10 peaks reaching 4000 m and 400 m above 3000, the High Atlas is a huge barrier that delimits the Atlantic and Mediterranean Morocco Morocco's Sahara, it is a mountain with magnificent scenery and varied, which has developed an original pastoral society has preserved its traditions, art of architecture stone and adobe and his innate sense of hospitality.
To the west, the former High Atlas Marrakech to primitive rocks and high reliefs and wiry. It culminates in the Toubkal, at 4,167 m.
In the center is the limestone massif of the High Atlas Azilal and Ouarzazate, the heavier than cut deep valleys and steep canyons reliefs. There are beautiful and abundant rivers, large reservoirs and beautiful stands of Aleppo pine and Cade. It culminates in Mgoun at 4068 m.
To the east, the massive limestone-marl of the High Atlas of Midland and Imilchil, the vast altitude plateaus and borders the north side primitive cedar forest. It culminates in Ayyachi at 3747 m.
Summer is the time for hiking in all its forms: walks in the high valleys to discover Berber villages, traditional songs and dances crossings vast altitude plateaus that populate pastors mounted high or transhumance from their Saharan and Atlantic markets where beautiful rock carving sites are sometimes discovered, sports courses in canyon through the valleys and paths suspended on the side of the cliffs.
In winter and early spring, it is the period of the High Joint hiking, combined famous "ski Mule" which allows a comfortable ascents and long descents on a snow usually easy.
But the High Atlas, is also angling for trout in upland streams, hunting wild boar and partridge in foothill scrub the photo safari in search of Barbary sheep, the sports bright 'water some 300 km of expressways rivers, sailing and water skiing on large artificial water, paragliding and hang-gliding over the ridges, and finally on the right track and mountain trails plans, great hiking in mountain biking.
MIDDLE ATLAS
Along 250 km wettest but significantly lower than the High Atlas, the Middle Atlas is the privileged domain of the forest and scrubland.
Two massive compose, whose forms and altitude differ profoundly.
To the west, it is the way that Causse Khénifra and Ifrane, flat country at medium altitude, the collected valleys dominated by oak forest, and higher, cedar. Its gently undulating hills home quantities of small sinkhole lakes. This is the mountain walk, rest cures, fishing and hunting. But it is also, from late December to late February, an incomparable field of skiing in the vast cedar forests in the triangle Khénifra - Azrou - Itzer where numerous colonies of Barbary apes live.
To the east, the folded Middle Atlas Taza, which has, in Bou Iblane (3172 m), an early and abundant snow, allowing skiing trails from December to May It culminates in the southern ride at Bounasseur to 3326 m.
Note that the region of Taza is also rich in remarkable caves and chasms, including the famous Friouato.
ATLAS AND THE ANTI SARHRO
Huge pénéplanée ride, long 400 km with its eastern extension of Jebel Sarhro, the Anti-Atlas extends from the white beaches of the Atlantic to Tafilalet.
This is already a Saharan mountain bare and dry, dark igneous rocks, but dotted with verdant oasis.
The first rises to the Imgout (2530 m) and the second to Amalou - n - Mansour (2712 m).
Top austere and poignant country is the mountain of great winter and spring hiking, walking or riding in an amazing atmosphere and mineral under a clear sky steadfastly.
THE Sirwa
Hyphen between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas is an up and dismantled very large volcano which emerge singularly dykes and pellets of black lava. The snow makes fleeting appearances. It rises to 3305 m.
This is the country of hiking or horseback riding through fantastic landscapes oppose a lapidifié world desert and deep valleys carved.
Beautiful climbing can be undertaken on the peaks of basalt ruffle landscape.
THE WIN
Bordering the north of Morocco to 200 km, the arc of the Rif overlooks the Mediterranean against the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Rarely exceeding 2000 m above sea level, the mountain is still the best watered country. Cedar dominates in the foothills of the heights, pine hollow of his collected valleys, oak-green, scrubland and even heather along its northern slopes.
It peaks near Kettama, the Tiddiriyn at 2458 m. Wild country where hiking trails borrow balconies steep cut its shores and shady heights of its beautiful forests, it is also a remarkable field of exploration for cavers.
MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN MOROCCO
The altitude stations
It is in the Middle Atlas that skiing was originally developed in Morocco, Michlifen, Jbel Habri and Jbel Hebri.
These small stations are located in the heart of the cedar forest, about 2000 m above sea level and offer tracks from 100 to 200 m in height and equipped with lifts and practicable from late December to late February.
The nearby towns of Ifrane and Azrou also provide a pleasant climate stays and are the starting point for a variety of excursions and walks.
Located 70 km from Marrakech, on the edge of Toubkal, the altitude of Oukaimeden resort is easily accessible by a beautiful mountain road. The ski area offers varied slopes between 2600 m and 3200 m, usable from December to early April in general. It is equipped with a chair lift (the highest mountain in Africa) and 6 lifts.
In summer, the resort enjoys a pleasant climate and you can discover a remarkable site of rock carvings and practice many sporting activities (hiking, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking?)
