Ait Bouguemez has become, in a few years, a popular destination for tourists looking for a change of scenery and sports activities for all ages and all tastes. Located in the central High Atlas, the valley of Ait Bouguemez represents a total immersion in the daily life of the inhabitants who have kept their traditions of yesteryear. Travel.
The Ait Bouguemez valley is a destination full of surprises. Nicknamed “the happy valley” because of the unique landscapes it has, this place is popular with thrill seekers and nature lovers. 250 kilometers separate Marrakech from the valley, the equivalent of “six hours of road just to go”, explains to Yabiladi Mohamed Al Hayane alias Momo, one of the first mountain guides in Morocco.
In 1987, Momo completed his apprenticeship in the first promotion to mountain trades in the first training center for mountain trades in Morocco, located in Ait Bouguemez. Since that day, he has been carrying out activities from the valley to the M’goun valley.
Ph. DR
“Ait Bouguemez is a pilot area for rural, mountain tourism, like Toubkal,” enthuses the mountain guide. According to the native of Ouarzazate, it is absolutely necessary to spend at least two nights in the “happy valley” to be able to live the experience fully. The many activities available to tourists can delight all tastes, even for fans of procrastination and laziness.
“There are walks, hikes. There is the possibility of skiing, but you have to bring your equipment (scissors, for example), to go mountain biking (mountain bike). The families provide donkeys or mules to go for walks in the surrounding douars and then invite tourists to eat with the locals.
The richness of the valley makes it possible to do other activities, such as canyoning from the gorges of Arouss or Azrou, as well as an introduction to climbing, “there are ways to climb mountains, but with strings,” explains Momo.
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The Ait Bouguemez valley is a paradise for sports enthusiasts looking for thrills. / Ph. DR
Authenticity and meeting with the inhabitants
The inhabitants of Ait Bouguemez live peacefully. “They grew up in an exceptional natural environment, between the arms of these mountains which smile in summer. It is true that during the winter, the conditions are very difficult. On the other hand, during the summer, tourists are captivated by the indescribable landscapes of the valley”, adds Mohamed Al Hayane. In the small villages of the valley, a real authenticity is felt, the houses are made of adobe, “the locals continue to perpetuate the traditions, they encourage the artisanal manufacture of carpets,oudclay”, indicates the mountain guide.
“The valley has unique dinosaur tracks, which are not found in other valleys.”
Same story with Moussa Mesrour, paleontologist contacted by Yabiladi: “It is the largest concentration of dinosaur footprints that can be found in Morocco. There are some in the valley, near Tabante. There are footprints even in the yard of a house. They are scattered more specifically in Demnate, up to Ait Bouguemez.”
The valley of Ait Bouguemez is undeniably made for tourists in search of peace, those who wish to refocus on themselves far from the hassles of everyday life, in an environment with clean air, in the middle of the High Atlas mountains.
