The city of Ifrane is the center of Ifrane Province and lies at an altitude of 1,713 meters in the Middle Atlas between Meknès and Fès. Ifrane Province is considered an outstanding winter tourism destination. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the city and nearby places: some attractions are within Ifrane itself, while others are in nearby locations. Forests, water, wildlife watching and culture expand the picture beyond winter sports.
Forests and water
A 2024 tourism article states that Ifrane Province has 116,000 hectares of forest, including 48,000 hectares of cedar forest, which is considered national natural heritage. These figures describe two different scales: the total forest area and the share of cedar forests within it. The 48,000 hectares should therefore not be added to the 116,000, but understood as the specified cedar share within the forest area. Water is also part of the region’s character. Ifrane Province includes several rivers, springs and internationally recognized lakes, and is therefore considered an important water reservoir for Morocco. Alongside winter tourism, forests and water are thus two distinct natural features of the province.
On foot and around the city
On hikes in Ifrane, you can spot Barbary macaques and Barbary deer—a specific reason to experience the natural side of the city on foot. A small railway is also mentioned as a way to explore Ifrane’s streets. Hiking and the railway thus offer two different perspectives on Ifrane: wildlife watching along the way and exploring the streets.
Winter activities in the surrounding area
In the surrounding area, skiing and sledding are available in winter at the Michlifen resort and Jbel Hibri. Michlifen resort is 17 kilometers from the city of Ifrane; hiking, horseback riding and a high ropes course are also available there. The location details help distinguish the activities: the distance and the three additional activities refer to Michlifen, while skiing and sledding are mentioned for Michlifen and Jbel Hibri. This makes it possible to distinguish the winter activities at the two named locations from the other leisure options at the resort.
Landmarks and crafts
Ifrane’s culture can also be discovered through specific motifs. The Lion of Ifrane is considered one of the city’s landmarks. Regional crafts are also showcased in Ifrane: carpet making, mat weaving, pottery and objects made from thuja wood. Unlike the single named landmark, the craft examples encompass several forms and materials—from textile work and woven mats to pottery and wooden objects. This offers an opportunity to compare a city symbol with a varied selection of crafts.
Ras El Maa
Ras El Maa is home to ponds belonging to the National Center for Fish Farming, where Atlas brook trout in particular are raised. Ras El Maa is five kilometers from the center of Ifrane. This location connects fish farming with a specific place in the city’s surroundings and adds another perspective on water and fish farming to the city’s attractions.
This offers a choice of different focuses for your trip: forests and water, wildlife watching on hikes, or culture through landmarks and crafts. The winter activities add an explicitly seasonal option to this selection.
Discover more destinations: Ifrane, Azrou, Errachidia and Khenifra Province.
Go to the broader travel overview: Meknès-Tafilalet.
