Ifrane Morocco is a cool mountain town in the Middle Atlas, with alpine-style roofs, a stone lion, a university campus and some of the country’s best cedar forest with wild Barbary macaques nearby. This Ifrane guide covers the history, the main sights, the cedar forest and how to reach it from Fes, so you can decide how to fit it into a northern route. It also pairs well with Fes, Meknes and Sefrou.
Ifrane at a glance
According to Wikipedia, Ifrane is in the Middle Atlas at about 1,650 m and had 13,964 people in the 2014 census. The French administration founded the modern town in 1929 as a mountain resort for colonial families escaping the summer heat, and locals call it “Little Switzerland”. The Amazigh name is said to mean “caves”. Wikipedia records a low of -23.9 °C on 11 February 1935, so pack warm layers in winter. Fodor’s gives the altitude as 5,460 feet, which matches the Wikipedia figure.
Culture Trip says the town was developed during the French period as an alpine ski resort, and that chalet-style buildings with steep roofs and wooden details, storks nesting on rooftops and lights strung through trees give it a look unlike most of Morocco. For clothing advice in cold weather, read Morocco in winter.
Al Akhawayn University and the town centre
Al Akhawayn University is an English-language, American-curriculum public university. Wikipedia says it opened in 1995, Fodor’s says the mid-1990s, and Culture Trip says it was founded in the early 1990s by King Hassan II, so the dates differ slightly by source. Culture Trip says tours can be arranged through the university’s administration. The town centre has fountains, small gardens, restaurants serving Moroccan food and rooftop terraces with mountain views, and a smaller souk aimed mainly at residents, much quieter than the souks of Marrakech or Fes.
The stone lion of Ifrane
A resting stone lion in a park is the town’s best-known landmark. The sources do not agree on its origin. Wikipedia attributes the carving to a prisoner, Jean-Henri Moreau, in 1930 but notes that sources conflict, while Culture Trip says it was carved in the 1930s, reportedly by a German soldier during the Second World War. Culture Trip adds a local legend that it honours the last wild Atlas lion, killed near Ifrane. We therefore treat the carver and the legend as unconfirmed.
The cedar forest and Barbary macaques
The forest everyone asks about is the Cèdre Gouraud Forest. Wikipedia says it lies on National Route 8, between Azrou and Ifrane, is named after the French general Henri Gouraud, and is a habitat for a sub-population of Barbary macaques. Rome2rio puts it about 81 km from Fes by road, roughly 1 hour 18 minutes by car or taxi, and says the bus to Azrou takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes and ends in Azrou, so you would need another way to the forest.
Culture Trip describes Ifrane National Park as covering about 500 square kilometres with Atlas cedar forest and endangered Barbary macaques, plus wolves, wild pigs and birds near the lakes. Wild monkeys can bite, so keep your distance and do not feed them. Wikipedia also mentions Lake Dayet Aoua, about 15 km north of Ifrane, and Culture Trip lists boating and horseback riding there.
In winter, Culture Trip says the Michlifen ski resort offers skiing, snowboarding and sledding with about one kilometre of slopes and a single ski lift. It also lists the Source Vitel waterfalls in the forest, some walkable from the town centre. Check snow conditions and road access before you go, and see our Morocco natural wonders guide for more.
Getting to Ifrane and where to go next
Fes is the usual base. We run a day trip from Fes to Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest with a driver, and you can combine your Middle Atlas time with the Sefrou and Bhalil day trip, the Meknes day trip or the Volubilis and Moulay Idriss day trip. Read Volubilis for the Roman site.
For a longer route, see the 2 day Sahara desert tour from Fes, the 3 day Sahara desert tour from Fes, the 4 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech or the 7 day imperial cities and Sahara desert tour. For logistics, read train vs bus vs rental car and airport transfers in Morocco, plan meals with the Moroccan food guide and see the 7 days in Morocco route.
Ifrane Morocco FAQ
Why is Ifrane called Little Switzerland?
Because of its alpine-style chalets and cool mountain climate. Wikipedia says the French founded the modern town in 1929 as a mountain resort and locals call it Little Switzerland.
How high is Ifrane?
About 1,650 m, according to Wikipedia. Fodor’s gives 5,460 feet.
Are there monkeys near Ifrane?
Yes. Wikipedia says the Cèdre Gouraud Forest between Azrou and Ifrane is a habitat for Barbary macaques. Culture Trip places them in Ifrane National Park.
How far is the cedar forest from Fes?
About 81 km by road, roughly 1 hour 18 minutes by car or taxi, per Rome2rio.
Does it snow in Ifrane?
Yes. Wikipedia records a low of -23.9 °C in 1935, and Culture Trip says winter is the season for skiing and snow play at Michlifen.
Who carved the Ifrane lion?
Sources disagree. Wikipedia names a prisoner, Jean-Henri Moreau, in 1930 but notes conflicting accounts, while Culture Trip says reportedly a German soldier.
Want Ifrane and the cedar forest on your Middle Atlas route? Message us your dates and we will plan it with you.
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More Navigate Morocco guides: Fes Morocco, Meknes Morocco, Sefrou Morocco, Morocco in winter.