Ouirgane Hike 4 - nFis Valley

Tassa Ouirgane National Park to the Tin Mal Mosque

Summary

This itinerary combines Tassa Ouirgane National Park with the countryside around Tinmal & Ijoukak - hiking "off the beaten track".

Activity code: ITCTtoRAK09

Difficulty: GRADE ONE to TWO - between easy and moderate. Boots recommended. You need to be reasonably confident of your fitness, preferably having had some previous experience of trekking.

Duration: 2 Days

If you are looking for a bit of a challenge without venturing to the higher areas of the Atlas Mountains this is an ideal hike. Organised to start and finish in Ouirgane (or Marigha) so you can leave your main luggage behind and experience one night either under canvas or in a Berber House accommodation and enjoy two days hiking, largely off the beaten track in the southern reaches of the Oued n'Fis. This area which is en route to the Tizi n'Test and over to Taroudant passes through the Berber village of Ijoukak and the highlight of the trip, the magnificient Tinmal Mosque.

This hike is designed to start by walking directly from your accommodation in Ouirgane or Marigha, such as Kasbah Tatfi de l'Atlas. All hikes are individual, tailor-made reservations so can be arranged for any number of people on any start date.

Additional Information

All hikes are individual, tailor-made reservations so can be arranged for any number of people on any start date. Please do not hesitate to contact us to book one of these hikes or to enquire further about the itineraries, locations and terrain.

We recommend you bring the following: walking boots or stout shoes suitable for walking, rambler pole (optional), hat, sunscreen, nibbles, hygienic wipes (or gel), filled water bottle(s).

Example meals on our hikes:

  • Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer.
  • Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea.
  • Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

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Prices from £ per person

What's included on your hiking trip ?

  • Experienced, licensed, English-speaking mountain guide throughout
  • Private transportation from Ijoukak via Tin Mal Mosque to Ouirgane
  • Tents and undermats (or night in Berber house / gite)
  • Cook and equipment
  • Meals as detailed.

Itinerary

Set off at after breakfast with your Moroccan Mountain Guide towards the south through the Oued N'Fis Valley for some two hours hiking, passing by the terraced Berber villages of Tagadir n'Bour and Emesguine until you reach the mouth of the Assif Imigdal Valley. Here your guide will stop and prepare your field picnic by a spring with wonderful views of the sometimes stark mountains and lush valleys full of fields of corn and flowers.

Once refreshed, set off towards the south-east for some five to six hours, following the winding river's course along the valley formed by the Adrar Takherkhourte and the Jbel Tafengha (2163m). Along the way passing by isolated Berber hamlets and villages, such as Azzemour, Tawil, Targa and Igherm, until you reach the trailhead village of Adrar Iwzag-Ner (3490m).

Your guide and team will set up camp for the night and arrange for you to dine by a spring just outside the village. You'll doubtless see the Berber people riding their donkeys or mules from village to village, or get to see Berber women gathering wood, herbs and fodder for their livestock.

After a Berber breakfast, break camp and set off towards the west on a seven hour hike along mule trails through the village of Ameslane and onwards at a steady pace through the Tizi n'Ameslane (2095m), with views of the distant Adrar Oukaimeden and Jbel Toubkal (4167m). At this point your guide will prepare your field picnic before setting off, downhill through fields of corn and stands of olive, peach and almond trees into the Amsghouni Valley until you reach a cluster of small villages around Idsiat. From here strike out towards the west, now along well-trodden trails until you reach the village of Alla n'Mzeghn at the side of the Oued N'Fis. Now it's towards the south alongside the winding Oued down to the small town of Ijoukak at the crossroads of the Agoundis and N'fis Valleys.

From here your guide will rendezvous with your transport to take you to the Mosque at Tin-Mal. This small, remote stronghold settlement high up on the opposite bank of the river is set amidst brown slopes, green shrubbery and seasonally snow-capped mountains. Here your guide will take you to visit the fortress (and one-time state treasury) with its high walls and strong towers, the sole survivor of the once holy 12th century city built by the founder of the Almohad (Unitarian) dynasty, Mehdi Ibn Toumarte. This is the only mosque in Morocco - other than the mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca - into which a non-Muslim may enter - except on Fridays. You may enter the mosque, built by Abd el Moumen between 1153/54 (and sacked in 1276) through a small, sturdy door in the corner of the main tower. Now roofless, deep shadows thrown by the surviving bas relief pise columns and carefully restored arcades and horseshoe arches contrast with the large sunbaked wall. Intact amongst the ruins witness the fine examples of the ancient, intricate and variety in Almohad decor of rosette, scallop and palmette. Cedar from Azrou is now used for the ceilings; a special lime has been imported from Spain; no cement or concrete is used and the several cupolas have been restored in some areas with richly decorated stalactite plaster work.

In the actual village there is another small kasbah in ruins, a Medersa and an old water tank which produces a regular supply of the French gastronomic delight - edible frogs. And you might buy a litre of Tin-Mal olive oil from the olive press and mill down towards the river. Having tipped the watchman for his 'permission' to enter, rejoin your vehicle for the long drive back up the delightful Oued N'fis valley to Ouirgane.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Travel Knowledge

  • We have all travelled extensively and will be happy to share our experiences.
  • Personally-chosen hotels, riads, guest houses & apartments in places we know and love.
  • Individual sightseeing recommendations and route planning.
  • Add excursions, activities and food & wine experiences (one of our passions).

Why book trekking with us ?

  • Andy & Head Guide, Houcine, have many years of experience of treks in Morocco.
  • Routes are fully tried & trusted.
  • Timings are based on individual bookings, allowing for amendments & short cuts.
  • A wealth of experience - contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.