The Cedrus-Atlantica forest in Ifrane!

Hi everyone 🌿

I’d like to share with you a little getaway I recently went on, a true moment of peace and freshness in a place I had the pleasure of rediscovering: the beautiful "Cedrus-Atlantica" forest near Ifrane.

This forest is located to the north of the town of Ifrane.. It’s a truly special spot, mostly known for its giant Atlas cedars, impressive trees that rise incredibly high. When you stand near some of them, you feel so small, as if you were standing in front of an old giant.

But it’s not just a beautiful place to see, it’s also full of life and history. These cedars have been growing here peacefully for generations, and all around them, a rich variety of wildlife has found refuge.

That day, I didn’t have anything planned. I just went out early in the morning with a simple desire to walk a little and take a deep breath. And what I discovered along the way, I’m going to tell you as if you were there with me, step by step.

I started my walk from the centre of Ifrane, walking along Avenue Mohamed V. It's a well-known high street here, but it's very quiet. It's not noisy at all, and it's very clean and full of greenery. You immediately feel that nature is present, even in the middle of the city.

On both sides, there are neat trees providing shade, and the houses with their red roofs stand out between the branches. It's good to walk there: there's not much noise, the light falls softly through the leaves, and there are little flowers growing everywhere. What I love about Ifrane is the mix between the well-organised town and the natural environment that grows somewhat freely.

As I went on, I saw a few houses and little paths leading to quieter areas. At one point, I came across a roundabout full of flowers. It was like a gateway to a wilder place. A little further on, I noticed an old cave in the rock, with a colourful house just above it. It was surprising: an ancient place right next to a modern dwelling.

Then the view opened up and you could see houses all over the place in the middle of fields full of flowers. The colours were beautiful: red, green, yellow... all adding to the ambience. The path began to climb gently, between the grasses and small bushes. I wanted to keep going.

Even though I was still in the city, I could feel that the forest wasn't far away. I really enjoyed the transition between the clean city and the entry into nature. It was like gently moving from one world to another.

After leaving the town behind me, one step at a time, I found myself in a completely different setting. I had reached the entrance to the forest.

Just before entering the woods completely, I came across an amusing little wink: a metal representation of a magot monkey, hanging from a gate. A nice reminder of the discreet but real presence of these little inhabitants in the region.

The path winds through the trees, lined with tall grass and small wild flowers. You get the feeling that nature is king here.

What immediately appealed to me was the diversity of textures and colours. Green is everywhere, but in a thousand different shades: moss covers the trunks, fat grass the ground, tender young shoots on the branches.

At the bend in the path, a small wooden bridge has appeared, as if out of a fairy tale. It spanned a simple stream, barely visible, but it had the charm of simple things, well integrated into their environment. The path then became narrower, sometimes even hidden under the vegetation. On several occasions, I had to look up to find the next part of the route, such was the extent to which nature had reclaimed its rights.

I began to walk slowly, almost without realising it. My body naturally slowed down, as if to better savour the moment. I knew I was only at the beginning of my discovery, but already something inside me had calmed down.

As we moved deeper into the forest, everything became denser and wilder. The trees became more imposing, the paths quieter. I really had the sensation of being surrounded by greenery. It wasn't just a walk, it was an immersion.

The ground, covered in soft grass, formed a natural carpet beneath my feet. Some corners looked like forgotten clearings, as if no-one had been there for weeks. Some of the trunks were covered in moss, others looked as if they had been scarred by time, burnt, twisted and hollowed out. Each tree had its own personality. Some were very tall and seemed to watch over the forest, while others were stockier and hid in the shadows. Some even had roots like legs, looking like frozen creatures.

The path meandered gently through all this, sometimes clearly marked, sometimes barely visible. I came across crossroads, curves and forks. But there was no need to think: I just followed my instincts, letting myself be guided by the beauty of the place.

At times, I came across mysterious stone structures, remnants of small walls or ancient structures. And then, once again, a small bridge. There it was, set between two grassy banks, modest but welcoming. I loved the contrast between the completely free nature and the few traces of man that crept discreetly in.

What I appreciated most about this part of the forest was the feeling of being alone, but never isolated. Birds were singing in the distance, a few insects flew past my legs, and the trees themselves seemed to whisper to each other as the wind gently passed by. You felt observed, but in a benevolent way. It's as if the forest accepts you, as long as you walk slowly and respect its rhythm.

I also enjoyed simply stopping. Doing nothing. Sitting on a stone or leaning against a trunk, taking a deep breath and listening. It's rare to be able to listen to such living silence. A silence filled with soft creaks, gentle rustles and subtle movements.

Before turning back, I took one last look at the trees I'd walked through, at the path that seemed never-ending. I took one last deep breath, as if to keep the peace inside me a little longer.

This walk brought me closer to something essential: peace and quiet, nature and myself. I hope that this walk, shared through my words and photos, helped you to escape a little too. Sometimes all it takes is a tree-lined path, a bird song and a breath of wind to reconnect you with what really matters.

Thank you for taking the time to read all the way through!

See you soon for another post... a simple moment of beauty to share together.

I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!

I took all the photos with my own Redmi Note 11 smartphone, and edited them on canva !