At more than 1,500 meters above sea level, the view is breathtaking. The Beni Mellal Cathedral overlooks a region rich in landscapes filled with fauna and flora, divided between the high plateaus of the Atlas and red earth. The place is located an hour and a half from Beni Mellal. To reach the summit, you have to take winding and rocky roads. 4x4s and all-terrain Jeeps are therefore preferred for access.
The region is full of lush forests, snow-capped mountains, gorges and typical Amazigh villages. The source of Oued Ahansal finds its origin there. Across the mountain, you can observe the birth of the river and the flow of water from the cliffs vertically on the mountain walls. A breathtaking spectacle, embellished with fruit trees which embellish the landscape and complete the magical picture.
By car, you will pass next to Oued Ahansal, then continue on foot to the top of the cathedral, a name which comes from the particular shape of the rock. Hikers, add this place to your travel plans; the journey is full of emotions and sweat. In fact, to get to the summit, you have to take dizzying mule trails. Fans of thrills such as canyoning (an outdoor sport related to caving, hiking or climbing) will also find what they are looking for in the winding walls of the watercourse. A change of scenery guaranteed, since along the way, you will be able to meet Berber families from the surrounding douars.
“We hear the silence”
Not far from the cathedral is the Tamga reserve, a landmark for more than a hundred species of birds, informs a blogger who visited the region. The latter recommends completing the visit with a walk in the botanical garden of the reserve, rich in various varieties of plants typical of the region.
Another blogger recounts her hike with great enthusiasm. For her, the walk is “invigorating for the body and the mind”. She praises the area for its calming side; “we hear the silence,” she rightly adds.
The marking work was financed by the World Bank: everything is mapped out, no risk of getting lost. This should reassure the most anxious.
Beni-Mellal is the capital of the Tadla-Azilal region in the Middle Atlas with a continental climate. Previously, it was called Dai, after the river that exists near the city. In the heart of Morocco, the region undeniably has considerable assets to make it a major tourist hub, which would benefit from development.
