Beni Snassen Mountains Overview

Continuing the journey on the P27 towards Oujda, one eventually arrives at the Moulouya Bridge in Mechra SafSaf, which marked the border between Spanish and French territory until 1956. Although the Moulouya is the longest Moroccan river flowing throughout the entire year, its water volume varies considerably between more than 200 cubic meters (7062 cubic feet) during the rainy season and 3 cubic meters (106 cubic feet) a second at the end of the dry season. Its basin covers an area extending from the Middle Atlas to the High Atlas. On its way to the sea the river is used intensively for irrigation purposes.

A narrow mountain road, the S404, branches off to the south about 10 km (6 mi) before Berkane and leads directly to the Beni Snassen Massif (1,500 m/4800 ft), a green oasis in the midst of the eastern Maroccan dry steppe. From Taforalt (market on Wednesdays) one can undertake a magnificent trip through the limestone mountains, which would finally bring one to Berkane (20km/ 12mi). The tiny CT 5306 road begins 1.5 km (1 mi) before Taforalt and runs through oak forests to the Grotte des Pigeons (early stone-age skeleton finds), before making its way to the Grotte du Chameau. One stalactite in this limestone cavern somewhat resembles a camel. Deep within the cavern are a number of subterranean streams and small lakes. After the detour to "camel cavern", one can proceed to cross the Oued Zegzel, which has cut a deep gorge into the limestone (Gorges du Zegzel). Continuing along the gorge towards Berkane, the road passes through irrigated orange groves and medlar fruit plantations. The latter is a tasty orangecolored fruit that is sold all over Morocco in spring. Vineyards cover the slopes of the Beni Snassen Mountains, where the famous Vins des Beni Snassen are produced. The vineyards were planted by French settlers in the twenties.

The route from the wine-producing town of Berkane on the S 402 passes through a fertile plain irrigated by the Triffa Canal and leads on to the seaside resort of Saidia (25 km/15 mi) on the Algerian border. The official crossing is 20km (12mi) farther north on the P27, in Ahfir.One can go on to Tlemcen or Oran in the Algerian Kabylia region, given that political relations between Algeria and Morocco are cordial at the present time.

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