HAMMAMTREKKINGslimming massage, which will trim your wallet of Dh500.
Douches Barakat
Offline map Google map (hammam Dh10; men 8am-noon, women noon-8pm) A traditional, andfar less expensive, option is the local hammam .
Trekking
There are numerous trekking opportunities of various durations in the vast 580-sq-km
Talassemtane National Park , which begins just outside town. The name means ‘cold spring’ in
Berber. Some popular destinations include the small villages of Kalaa and Akchour, and God’s
Bridge, a natural formation that looks like a stone arch. The duration of these excursions
depends on how much you wish to drive versus walk.
The Eco-Museum (near Camping Azilane) at the entrance to the Talassemtane National
Park is well worth a visit. It has info on the park, maps of treks and an extensive display of the
flora and fauna found in the park. Register here if you intend to camp during your trek.
Le Caiat ( 0666 28 87 15; www.caiat.com; per person from Dh160-300; meals Dh100) is
a wonderful mountain refuge 12km from Chefchaouen on the road to Oued Laou. It offers
various guided treks of two hours to two days and has a range of accommodation and a
restaurant with stunning views across the valleys.
Tours
The Association des Guides du Tourisme de Chefchaouen
( 0662 11 39 17; [email protected]; half-day city tour Dh120, mountain treks
half/full day Dh250/400) The association is an NGO set up to provide trekking information and
to train and register guides. Association President, Abdeslam Mouden, speaks fluent English
and has a wealth of local know-ledge and guide experience.
Festivals & Events
The active cultural association Rif el-Andalus ( 0539 98 68 00) organises two events in July.
One is a large open-air art exhibition, and the other is the Alegria, an international music
festival.
Sleeping
Chefchaouen has a large number of accommodation options. As the medina is what you’ll come
to Chefchaouen for, it’s best to stay here, though there are some good options outside the
walls. Few hotels have heating. You will be sleeping beneath plenty of blankets during cold
winter nights.
MOSTAPHA EL-HABTI: MOUNTAIN GUIDE
As long as you’re fit, people of any age can trek in the Rif. We do half-day walks as well as longer treks of a few days. I’m
passionate about preserving the environment so I always tell every-one at the beginning, no throwing! Take your rubbish home
with you.