Middle Atlas · Ifrane Province
Azrou is the cedar forest village of the Middle Atlas — the best place in Morocco to see wild Barbary macaques and walk beneath ancient Cedrus atlantica trees.
Best time
April–June and September–November; snow may close high forest roads December–February
Recommended
Half-day to 1 night
Airport
Fès-Saïs (FEZ) + 1h drive
Region
Middle Atlas · Ifrane Province
Azrou is a Berber market town of about 45,000 at roughly 1,250 m in the Middle Atlas, 17 km south of Ifrane and 67 km south of Fes on the N13. Its name means 'rock' in Tamazight, referring to the volcanic basalt outcrop on which the old town was built. The town sits at the edge of the Cèdre Gouraud forest — one of the oldest and most extensive groves of Cedrus atlantica (Atlas cedar) remaining in North Africa, where some trees exceed 900 years old and 40 m in height. It is within this forest that the most reliably accessible population of wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in Morocco lives: semi-habituated troops move through the cedar groves along the road south of Azrou at all seasons, making the stop the easiest and most certain wildlife encounter in the country. Azrou also has a well-established carpet and woodcraft cooperative producing carved-cedar and Berber-woven goods that are among the finest traditional crafts available outside the imperial city souks.
What to see
The cedar forest south of Azrou on the N13 toward Midelt — particularly the stretch known as Cèdre Gouraud around the ancient 'Cèdre Gouraud' tree — is the most reliably productive location in Morocco for Barbary macaques. Troops of 20–50 individuals are often encountered at road level. The macaques are semi-habituated and approachable; do not feed them, as human food disrupts their foraging patterns and causes dependency.
The forests around Azrou and Ifrane constitute one of the last significant stands of Atlas cedar in North Africa. The 'Cèdre Gouraud' — a single tree near the road — is estimated at over 900 years old and more than 40 m tall. Walking tracks thread through the forest between Azrou and the Ifrane National Park boundary.
The Ensemble Artisanal de Azrou is one of the few government-supervised craft cooperatives in Morocco where cedar woodwork, Berber carpets and embroidered textiles are sold at fixed and transparent prices. Cedar salad bowls, inlaid boxes and geometric-patterned rugs make this one of the best craft-buying stops on the Fes–Marrakech overland route.
The weekly Tuesday market in Azrou is an authentic working souk drawing Berber communities from the surrounding plateau, with livestock, raw wool, traditional dress and produce from the cedar-forest villages — far less tourist-oriented than the urban souks of Fes or Marrakech.
Itineraries
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Azrou. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
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The macaques roam the forest between both towns, but the highest concentration is typically in the Cèdre Gouraud forest south of Azrou on the N13. Ifrane's cedar forest, accessed via the national park road east of town, also has populations — a morning in the Azrou forest followed by lunch in Ifrane covers both.
The forest is ancient: the Cèdre Gouraud near the road is estimated at 800–900 years old. The surrounding stands of Cedrus atlantica include trees several centuries old. In optimal conditions Atlas cedar can live to 2,000 years, though none confirmed that old remain in this forest.
Yes — it is one of the most transparent craft-buying experiences in Morocco, with fixed prices displayed and craftspeople working on-site. Cedar woodwork from Azrou is genuinely distinctive; the combination of cedar scent, intricate carving and Middle Atlas craftsmanship makes it worth 30–45 minutes.
