Fes to Ifrane and the cedar forest by car
An hour from Fes (also spelled Fez), the Middle Atlas reveals another Morocco: cedar forests, lakes, chalets with pointed roofs, cool air in summer and snow in winter. Ifrane, Azrou and their Barbary macaques make an easy day trip with a rental car. Here is the route, the stops not to miss and our advice for each season.
At a glance
This is the simplest excursion from Fes: a single road, no tolls, a gradual climb and places to stop all along the way. It works just as well as a half-day outing or as a full day including Azrou, the cedar forest and the lakes.
The route via Imouzzer Kandar
| Stage | Cumulative distance | Cumulative time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fes, Ville Nouvelle | 0 km | 0 h | Take the airport road, then the national road towards Imouzzer and Ifrane |
| Fes-Saïss Airport | ≈ 15 km | ≈ 20 min | Arriving by plane? Set off straight from the airport |
| Imouzzer Kandar | ≈ 35 km | ≈ 45 min | First breath of fresh air, cafés, waterfalls in season |
| Ifrane | ≈ 65 km | ≈ 1 h 15 | Town centre, gardens, stone lion |
| Azrou | ≈ 82 km | ≈ 1 h 35 | Souk, cedar-wood crafts |
| Cedar forest and Barbary macaques | ≈ 90 km | ≈ 1 h 50 | Signposted tracks off the road, parking in the forest |
The road leaves the Saïss plain and then climbs in hairpin bends up to Imouzzer Kandar, a hill resort popular with the people of Fes in summer. It then crosses a plateau of pastures and forests before reaching Ifrane. The surface is good all the way; watch out for herds crossing and for speed bumps at the entrance to villages.
Ifrane, the garden city of the Middle Atlas
Built in the 1930s as a hill station, Ifrane surprises visitors with its chalets, lawns and flower-lined avenues, a world away from the medina of Fes. Stroll around the centre and its cafés, photograph the stone lion carved near the public garden, and enjoy the altitude: in summer it is often ten degrees cooler than in Fes. The town is also home to an international university and a national park that protects the surrounding cedar forest. Parking in the centre is easy and attended.
Azrou and the cedar forest: the Barbary macaques
17 km from Ifrane, Azrou is a Berber market town known for its souk, its cedar-wood crafts and, above all, the forest that towers over it. The Azrou cedar forest is one of the largest in Morocco; it holds cedars several centuries old, including the famous “Gouraud cedar”, and a large population of Barbary macaques, known locally as magots. From the road, signposted tracks, passable by car in dry weather, lead in a few minutes to clearings where the monkeys come up to visitors. Park in the designated areas, keep your windows closed and do not feed the animals: they remain wild.
Michlifen and the lakes road
About fifteen kilometres from Ifrane, Michlifen is the Middle Atlas’s small ski resort, tucked into an old volcanic crater surrounded by cedars. Outside the snow season it makes a lovely walk with views; in winter the slopes draw families for sledging and skiing, when the snow cover allows. North of Ifrane, the “lakes road” passes Dayet Aoua and other mountain lakes, popular with anglers and migratory birds; depending on the year and the season, some lakes can be dry, so ask locally before making the detour.
Summer or winter: what to expect
From May to October, the road is clear and the climate pleasant: Ifrane is where the people of Fes take refuge when the city tops 35 °C. Leave in the morning, have lunch in Ifrane or Azrou, and visit the cedar forest in the early afternoon when the monkeys are active. From December to February, snow is possible above Imouzzer: the main road is cleared as a priority, but drive in daylight, at reduced speed, and turn back if the authorities close a pass. In the mountains, bring warm clothes even for a day trip.
A one-day itinerary from Fes
- 8:30 am: leave Fes, coffee stop in Imouzzer Kandar.
- 10 am: stroll around Ifrane, gardens and town centre.
- 11:30 am: Azrou, souk and craft shopping.
- 12:30 pm: lunch, then the cedar forest and the Barbary macaques.
- 3 pm: Michlifen or the lakes road, depending on the season.
- 5 pm: back to Fes before dark, arriving around 6:30 pm.
If you are short of time, you can limit yourself to Ifrane and Azrou in half a day; those continuing south carry on along the road to Midelt and Merzouga, described in our Fes to Merzouga guide.
Which car to rent for Ifrane
A city car (Dacia Logan, Clio 5, 208, from 230 MAD per day, ≈ 23 €) makes the trip without difficulty. For a family with luggage or for more comfort in the hairpin bends, an SUV such as the Dacia Duster or the Hyundai Tucson (from 300 MAD per day) is the right choice, and an automatic gearbox makes the climbs more relaxing: see our SUVs and our automatic cars. All our rentals include unlimited mileage, full insurance and 24/7 assistance; the car can be handed over to you at Fes airport, already on the road to Ifrane.
Frequently asked questions about the Fes – Ifrane road
How long does it take to drive from Fes to Ifrane?
About 1 h 15 for roughly sixty kilometres on the national road that climbs through Imouzzer Kandar. Allow 20 minutes more to reach Azrou and another quarter of an hour to get to the cedar forest.
Can I drive to Ifrane in winter with a rental car?
Yes. The road is paved and cleared as a priority, but it can snow between December and February. Check the forecast, travel in daylight, drive slowly and, after heavy snowfall, wait for the snowploughs to pass. Our cars are two-wheel drive: they are suited to cleared roads.
Where can I see the Barbary macaques near Ifrane?
In the Azrou cedar forest, about fifteen kilometres south of Ifrane: signposted tracks off the road lead to clearings where the Barbary macaques are used to visitors. Do not feed them and keep your belongings out of reach.
Do I need an SUV for Ifrane?
No, a city car is enough on these paved roads. An SUV adds comfort and space for a family, and an automatic gearbox makes the climb easier; in winter it is pleasant but not essential.
Read next
The Middle Atlas, an hour from Fes
Choose your car: all-inclusive price, unlimited mileage, free delivery in town or at the airport.