Rifcom Adventures 030324: Day 3 - Afeska to Chefchaouen via Jabel el Kelaa (1616)

Our 4 Day Adventure with the Rifcom team an organisation run by volunteers
who are committed to helping the impoverished rural communities of the rid mountains in the North of Morocco.

A special thanks to our Mountain Guide Mohammad who kept us safe and shared his extensive knowledge of the area with us.

We start in the small hamlet of Afeska from the Gite Afeska a Berber style property situated in the Atlas Mountains and just a 40-minute drive from the village of Chefchaouen.
We journey through the Talassemtane National Park with it’s beautiful forest of
Moroccan Firs, Cedar of the Atlas and Black Pines.
The 589.5-square-kilometre park was created in October 2004 to conserve the last of Morocco's threatened fir forests. Talassemtane is part of the Transcontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean.
The park's elevation ranges from 350 meters to 1,050 meters. It is a very original territory characterized by unique biodiversity and landscapes.

The pristine Talassemtane National Park in Morocco is a premier hiking destination, dotted with cascading waterfalls plummeting into massive turquoise mountain pools. Located deep within the Rif mountains, Talassemtane is roughly a 45-minute drive from the city of Chefchaouen, making it an easily accessible destination for eager trailblazers.

The 590 square kilometres of mountainous terrain sprawls across a landscape laden with deep gorges, craggy cliffs, hidden caves and seasonal streams (locally known as wadis). The forests support rare wildlife such as golden eagles, lynx and Barbary macaques, and it is also a UNESCO site.

Talassemtane National Park is not to be missed. The closest town is Chefchaouen, a pretty town bathed in royal blue. From the crystal blue waters of the mountain pools to the blue houses of the town, the entire region hints of Berber heritage. Visitors can fly into Tetouan and then drive to the Chefchaouen, the gateway town.
After some 750m of elevation gain we descend the mountain heading out of the forest on a small trail towards Jabel el Kelaa (1616m)
The trail steepens towards the summit some 125m above us.
The views from the summit are magnificent in all directions especially towards Chefchaouen.
We descend the mountain via the same route as the ascent then continuing down the valley stopping for a quick mint tea and lunch before the final leg of our Journey and a well earned rest.

Moroccan Fir:
Height: Up to 50m
Age: >500 Years
Location: 1400-1800m

Cedar of the Atlas:
Height: Up to 40m
Age: >500 Years
Location: 1590-2159m