Cèdre Gouraud Forest

Cèdre Gouraud Forest is the signature natural attraction around Azrou and one of the most recognizable stops in the Middle Atlas. The forest is known for its Atlas cedar trees, some of which are described in regional guides as ancient and exceptionally tall, and for the Barbary macaques that are frequently seen near the main routes. For many travelers, this is the reason to come to Azrou: a chance to leave the urban centres of Fes or Meknes and step into a cooler highland landscape of cedar woodland, mountain roads, and open picnic clearings. The area can be visited as a short excursion from Azrou, as part of a day trip from Fes or Ifrane, or as one stop on a wider cedar-forest circuit including Michlifen and surrounding mountain scenery. The attraction is accessible and atmospheric, but responsible travel is essential. Visitors should not feed the macaques, should keep a respectful distance from wildlife, and should avoid leaving litter in the forest. The experience is less about a single monument and more about the feeling of the Middle Atlas itself: shaded paths, clean air, changing weather, and the contrast between forested highlands and Morocco's better-known desert and imperial-city landscapes. Cèdre Gouraud is ideal for families, photographers, walkers, and travelers who want an easy nature experience close to Azrou.