Spend a hot summer day lazing around a river, keeping cool in the shade of towering lush cliffs and eating figs and the best tagine in Morocco.
Rabat – Just a 40 minute drive from popular Chefchaouen lies a little mountain village called Akchour. Grand-taxi’s regularly traverse the winding scenic roads, bringing cars full of tourists to play in the river, and bask in the peace of a mountain oasis that still feels untouched by the modern world.
Akchour is one of the hidden gems of the Chefchaouen region. Well, maybe slightly less hidden now that I’ve written this. But that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the small village that welcomes visitors heartily and has thrived off ecotourism since it was popularized in the 2010s.
Nestled in a valley of the Rif mountains between towering rock cliffs, is a brilliant blue gorge, with lush greenery, waterfalls, hiking, and awesome geological features with local-lore to match.
Little cafés line the banks of the rivers with colourful tables and umbrellas scattered along the stony shore, and even the islands in the middle of the river. Tourists can sit with their feet in the cool river water as they enjoy a tagine cooked traditionally over hot-coals right in front of them.
The majority of tourists will stick to the main paths along the rivers, following the Farda River to God’s Bridge, or the Kella River to the famous waterfalls.
Gorgeous Waterfalls
Akchour is best known for its waterfalls, both big and small that form emerald pools along the Kella River’s path. If visiting during summer, the Grand Cascades tends to be less impressive, with reduced to no water flow, but the hike to it is still gorgeous.
The other main attraction is God’s Bridge, a natural rock arch that spans the river’s gorge and is believed to be sacred in local folklore. Crossing the bridge or swimming in the waters below it is believed to bring blessings and cure ailments.
There are many natural pools to swim in along the course of both rivers, as well as a reservoir at the start of the trails.
If you’re seeking to go beyond the main attractions, local guides can lead you for hikes through the mountains, offering the chance to find an even more remote and tranquil landscape.
Walking the river trails, every bend reveals a new delight for the senses. The blue river contrasts the pretty pink flowers and the huge green cliffs, while rushing water lulls you into a state of hypnosis, broken by the delicious smokey scent of the barbequing food.
Sitting on a rock in the middle of the Farda river, I messaged my mum “I found heaven”, and it is exactly what I hope to find when I die.
As you can tell, I fall into the category of nature-lover, and would recommend all visitors to the mountainous city of Chefchaouen to include a day-trip to Akchour in their itinerary.
Sure, the waterfalls and rock bridges are cool, but honestly, even just being there was relaxing, breathing in the fresh air and gazing upon the endless mountainous horizon.
