Valley pools
Clear green water.
Brahim FARAJI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soufiane errami — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bdv1978 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Brahim FARAJI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soufiane errami — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cat alana — CC BY-SA 3.0 · TheNegativeOne47 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Velatrix — CC0
A narrow valley lined with limestone cliffs and woods in the Beni Snassen mountains of Berkane Province, eastern Morocco, and one of the region's best-known natural sites, where visitors come for its greenery, its water and its fresh air, far from the heat of the plains in summer. The road follows the river between the rocks, with springs and small waterfalls along the way gathering in clear green pools, and orchards on either side. At the mouth of the valley lies the Camel Cave, said to take its name from a nearby rock shaped like a camel, with water springing beside it. Close by, above the valley near the village of Taforalt, is the Pigeon Cave, one of North Africa's most important prehistoric sites, where excavations have uncovered Iberomaurusian remains, including human burials. Forests and uplands around the village are good for walking. Exploring the valley is free, while the Camel Cave sometimes closes for maintenance, so check locally. The mountain road is winding and busy on holidays; spring is the loveliest time, when the mountains turn green and the springs run full.
Clear green water.
At the valley's mouth.
A prehistoric site.
Beni Snassen mountains, Berkane Province, about forty kilometres from Saïdia
Spring is loveliest, when the springs are at their fullest; summer offers an escape from the heat of the plains but gets crowded on holidays.