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A decorative Atlas door

ROUTE FOUR

Jbel Hayane 2410m

CommitmentThe easiest walk in this book, a good summit to take in during a passing road journey.Maps100: Azrou. A road map that shows the hill and the road would suffice.TextsMailly alone just mentions the hill – for skiing (so I suspect flocks do move out). My description above is ample.Travel to start8.5km piste off the R13 Azrou–Midelt road, and own transport essential. Could be done as a day-outing from Fes. Allow 3hrs for the traverse.Local assistanceNot needed.

This small outrider of the cedar country rewards with a gentle day’s walk.

Hayane was climbed in September 2000, and although of modest height it is the highest summit in the wedge of cedar-forest country held by the Azrou–Khenifra–Zeïda roads. We had walked through the cedars on GTAM95, impressed by both the stately giants and the evidence of prolific regeneration, so were keen to return.

The lone tree on Jbel Hayane

Six of us were in a Land Rover, so I suggested trying to backtrack on GTAM95 from Kerrouchen to the north-east to see the best trees we’d noted. Heading east from Khenifra we took the minor road, not the R503, to El Kebab, a lively Monday souk (which has lured us back several times) then, still a goudron, up the Oued Serrou valley to the Kerrouchen turn-off. On subsequent visits (Land Rover or minibus) we’ve continued over the Tizi n’ Rechou to Zeïda – recommended rather than the R503. On this occasion we set off into the forest from Kerrouchen and simply became mislaid in a maze of pistes large and small, several leading to dead ends. We certainly saw cedar trees. Eventually we came out at Itzer, so went over the Col du Zad (N13) to camp by the known Aguelmame (lac) de Sidi Ali. Jbel Hayane was the highest in the area – and near.