Fes: Private Hiking Experience Along the Zalagh Hillside

Not far from the Palais Amani Boutique Hotel, the Zalagh hillside range sits majestically above Fez's sprawling medina. In Berber, Zalagh means male kid goat, and a hike along the backbone of this massive beast of a hillside gives you a taste of the Berber way of life less than 30 minutes from the urban labyrinth below. After meeting your guide at the meeting point, take the road that winds steeply up from the medina and plunge into the Berber countryside full of ancient olive groves, hidden from the city on the other side of the mountain. Your driver will then turn off onto a dirt track and for 15-20 minutes you can take in the landscape dotted with vernacular farmsteads, livestock, and crops. As you go, marvel at the scenery of the Rif mountains stretching out as far as the eye can see. Next, take a 1.5-hour hike at a pace easy enough for even inexperienced hikers to Zalagh's summit and onwards to the peak of the range. Despite its proximity to the city, it is never crowded, much to the delight of mountain bikers and hikers alike. Enjoy escaping from the heat at this elevation, and admire the stunning views of the entire ancient city of Fes, the surrounding landscape, the Sebou Valley, Rif mountains, and Sais Plains. After your hike, your guide will bring you back to the perfect spot for a picnic. Dine in the shade of the pine trees before walking back down to the car and being transferred back to the meeting point.