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EXPLORE THE RIF MOUNTAINS FROM DAR GABRIEL |
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The town of Chefchaouen is a delight in itself.
A medieval maze of mauve and turquoise alleys, it
bustles with
looms and carpentry, aroma and colour.
Look up from the Medina to the peaks which
stand like guardians above the town (Chefchaouen means
'look
at the peaks') and you get a hint of the hinterland,
the Rif mountains from which the community originates. These
ranges are well worth exploring.
Chaouen lies between two Natural Parks, Tallasemtane and Bouhachem.
Dar Gabriel offers excursions
to both. |
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AKCHOUR - ONE DAY |
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A day’s walk to Akchour, Tallasemtane,
leaving Dar Gabriel on foot with qualified guides.
This route traverses the open shoulder of the Rif through pasture
and cultivated land with impressive
views of wide valleys and
ranges beyond. The trail passes through three remote Berber villages,
which
offer an insight into rural Maroc, as well as welcome glasses
of mint tea!
From the last of these villages, el Xalaa, the trail drops steeply
through Pine and Juniper forest into the Oued Laou valley, from
where we walk the last stretch to Akelour, where there are river
pools in which
to bathe or refresh at bamboo tea houses on its bank. Return
to Dar Gabriel in a taxi.
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| Availability |
Year round weather permitting |
| Booking |
When reserving a hotel room
or via Bensalam (Dar Gabriel)
at short notice |
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TALLESEMTANE - OVERNIGHT |
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A
two day excursion into Tallasemtane.
Tallasemtane borders Chefchaouen. Here
we offer a two day walk from the hotel itself, up between
the ‘guardian’ peaks
and into the heart of the park. This part of the Rif is home to the endemic
Pinsapo fir, and the Morrocan Blue Cedar, as well as species such as the Lammergeier,
Jackal and Porcupine. This is a trail of majestic views, of ranges folding
into fading shades beyond which the Mediterranean is visible.
Six hours easy paced walking each day, you are led by a qualified
guide, your luggage is carried by mule.
We overnight at the small
community run Hotel Azilane in a remote hamlet of the Rif, dining
and breakfasting, of course.
Day two sees us descending the Oued l’Arda, a gorge which
carves its way north through the massif reaching the spectacular
Pont de Dios, a natural stone bridge crossing the chasm 250m
above the
water course. Continuing down, the river flows through
pristine pools perfect for bathing. Here we
have a late barbeque
lunch before returning to Dar Gabriel by car.
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| Availability |
March – October |
| Booking |
By pre-arrangement |
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ONE DAY EXCURSION TO BOUHACHEM
- Barbary macaque conservation |
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Bouhachem is an hours drive
west. This part of the Rif contains Morocco’s most extensive
and best preserved oak forests in which live healthy populations
of Barbary Macaques, the only primate found in North Africa.
In these mountains, we are guided on the trail by Ahmed El Harrad from the organisation
Barbary
Macaque Conservation in the Rif (BMCRif). With a Land Rover available you can
walk as much or as
little as you like – with small group sizes no larger than 6 we are flexible:
the exertion of the excursion
is up to you.
As well as the prospect of seeing Macaque groups in their natural
setting of oak woodland these forests hold many other surprises - with 28 species
of mammals recorded in the reserve (so far) each visit has the potential to identify
something new. For bird lovers there is the possibility of such specialties as
Short
Toed Eagle, Long Legged Buzzard, Goshawk and during the spring and autumn migrations many
other raptor species fly over.
For tree enthusiasts and arborists we are in the process of discovering another
Bouhachem treasure:
Champion Cork Oaks (Quercus Suber), some measuring over 3m in diameter have been
discovered.
(There is the optional overnight stay on the edge of the forest at Bakali Gite.) |
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| Availability |
May – October |
| Booking |
Whilst reserving a hotel room at Dar Gabriel. |
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THE WATERFALLS OF OUED KEELA |
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This is a great day out in hot weather. Dar
Gabriel can offer you a taxi and a guide, though neither are
necessary particularly if you have your own transport.
Akchour, an hours drive from Chefchaouen, is where the
trail begins – a popular place for swimming
it marks the confluence
of two ‘oueds’ or rivers. To reach the cascades,
you will follow one of them
– the ‘Keela’ – east
toward the village of Taourate.
Passing pools fed by low falls, the path winds
up-valley, crisscrossing the stream through the dense
groves of oleander, cane and oak, habitat of monkeys (the ‘Singe
Magot’)
and otters.
Allow two to three hours to reach the cascade
itself. The falls are impressive (see photo), 100m of
vertical water sheeting
down rock faces into a large green blue pool – fabulous
bathing.
Ask for a picnic from Dar Gabriel restaurant. Drink tea at
one of the wayside ‘chiringuito’ stalls.
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| Availability |
May |
| Walking Time |
There and back – 6 hours |
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