Starting from the city of Fez with a full tank of fuel, we leave the green plains of the Rif and begin to climb towards the Middle Atlas, the route heads westwards through agricultural land and then olive groves up to an excellent panoramic point on Le Lac de Barrage Sidi Chahed. This huge dam can supply over 30 million gallons (170 million m3) of tap water to the city of Meknes and irrigate around 90 agricultural communities. From here the road becomes more tortuous for the next hour. As you travel towards Vollubilissi you come across the "Haroune Aqueduct", very particular because it was built in the twentieth century following the Roman style. The route reaches Volubilis, the most important and best preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco, it is located in a fertile agricultural area at the foot of Mount Zerhoun, north of Meknès and north-east of the Atlas. The Roman mosaics are precious masterpieces, it is object of special care and is a UNESCO heritage site
Just south is Meknes, the most modest of Morocco's four imperial cities, which is why it is a place where the pace of life is much quieter and more relaxed than in Fès, Marrakech or Rabat. Here are some recommended places of interest, but they are not the only ones to visit, depending on the time you have available. the Souk, Place el-Hedim which is the nerve center of Meknes and over the course of the day, like the square in Marrakech, changes skin several times, Bab el-Mansour Gate, Dar Jamaï Museum,
the route rises in altitude rapidly, the plants begin to disappear to make way for shrubs, you climb to over 2000 meters and the temperatures drop. Reaching Ifrane you discover a very particular city, founded as a French colony. the houses have the typical European Alpine shape, which is why Ifrane is called the Moroccan Switzerland.
A few kilometers after Ifrane, proceeding south, the road dives into lush nature full of greenery, tall pine trees grow all around and lush green meadows stretch out, it is here that the majestic Cedar Forest begins. Barbary macaques live in the forest, be careful what you have in your hands, they are very quick at stealing.
Just before arriving at the Pass you can stop at Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali, the lake was the only place in the world where Salmo pallaryi lived, a native species of trout now extinct.
You continue to climb until you reach 2150 meters above sea level, the mountain pass is the highest point of this route, it is located in the Khénifra National Park, the second park crossed by the route.
We begin to descend until we reach Midelt, a town located on the main road that connects the cities of Fes and Meknes, with Er Rachidia to the south. The city is located on a plateau, surrounded by the Moulouya River, in the Atlas mountain range. we passed in June and the temperature was around 10 degrees, it is not uncommon to find snow until February
I rated this route 4 stars for the places of historical interest and the evocative landscapes that the road passes through