Azrou: Cedars & Macaques
Ancient cedar forests with wild Amazigh macaques — Azrou is the Middle Atlas at its greenest, on the road south from Ifrane.
Into the cedar shade
South of Ifrane, the road enters one of Morocco's great cedar forests — centuries-old trees where troops of wild Amazigh macaques come down to the roadside. Azrou itself is a working mountain town famous for its cedar-wood artisans, with sawmills and carving workshops along the main street.
Almost every Fes-to-desert route passes here, which makes Azrou the easiest wildlife stop in Morocco: no trek, no detour — the monkeys meet the road. Pair it with Ifrane and the onward drive to Midelt and the Ziz Valley.
Highlights
- Cedar forest — ancient trees south of town.
- Amazigh macaques — wild troops by the roadside.
- Cedar artisans — carving workshops on the main street.
- Mountain viewpoints — the Middle Atlas rolling south.
- Weekly souk — a genuine mountain market day.
Good to know
How to get there
Azrou sits on the Ifrane–Midelt road, served by buses and grand taxis from both. With Abrid, the forest stop is built into your Fes-to-desert driving day.
How long to stay
We recommend one hour for the forest and macaques, half a day with the souk and artisans. Almost nobody sleeps here — and that is fine.
Best time to visit
Year-round; the forest is greenest in spring, snowy and silent in winter. Macaques are around in every season.
Best areas to visit in Azrou
Town, cedar forest and market in one roadside hour.
Center & rock
Market streets and the viewpoint rock over the rooftops.
Cedars & macaques
Ancient trees and wild troops along the southern road.
Carving workshops
Cedar woodwork at roadside prices on the main street.
Trips visiting Azrou
Morocco guides
Azrou questions
Will I actually see macaques?
Very likely — the troops habituate the roadside forest and your driver knows the current spots. Mornings are usually best. They are wild animals: watch, don't feed.
Is Azrou worth a stop?
Yes as a one-hour forest break on the Fes–desert road — cedars, monkeys and artisans with zero detour. Not a base, a pause.
Can Abrid include Azrou in my trip?
It is already on most of our Fes-to-Merzouga routings — just ask. Plan it here.
Azrou in photos
Real shots from our routes around Azrou. All photos from the Abrid Morocco local library.
Want to include Azrou in your Morocco trip?
Tell us your dates and interests — we fold the cedar forest into a Middle Atlas route with transport, stays and guides handled.
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