Chefchaouen and the Akchour Waterfalls by Car: the Blue Pearl and the Wild Gorges of the Rif
Tucked into the Rif mountains like an indigo mirage, Chefchaouen is easily one of the most photographed places in Morocco. Arriving at the wheel of your own rental car, though, turns a quick tourist stop into something far bigger. From the green sweeping bends of the N2 to the clear natural pools of the Akchour gorges, here is the route to take if you want to explore the region on your own terms.
Contents
Driving in from Tangier, Tetouan or Fez: the Rif in panorama
Where to park in Chefchaouen without a fight
The Akchour and God's Bridge day out: the region's hidden marvel
Driving in the Rif: staying safe and relaxed
Driving in from Tangier, Tetouan or Fez: the Rif in panorama
The quickest starting point is still Tangier or Tetouan. From Tangier Ibn Battouta airport, allow around 2 hours 15 minutes on the N2 via Tetouan. The surface is good and well signposted, crossing wide coastal plains before climbing steadily into valleys of pine and olive trees.
Coming up from Fez or Meknes in the south, plan on roughly 3 hours 30 to 4 hours depending on your pace and conditions. The pre-Rif scenery is superb, all rolling curves through farmed hills. Be ready for winding stretches where patience behind a local lorry is the only option.
Where to park in Chefchaouen without a fight
Chefchaouen is a steep pedestrian medina built into the mountainside, and cars simply do not go in. Trying your luck in the narrow lanes always ends in a dead end.
You have two options: park in the lower town near Place Bab Souk if your riad is down there, or use the lots at the top of town, over towards Ras El Maa. Attendants usually ask a few dozen dirhams for the day and a little more for a full guarded night; rates shift with the season, so agree the price before you walk away from the car.
The Akchour and God's Bridge day out: the region's hidden marvel
A rental car really earns its keep on day two: some thirty kilometres north-east of Chefchaouen, the Akchour valley unfolds like a storybook inside Talassemtane National Park.
At the small dam, leave the car in the guarded lot: the official council rate is 10 dirhams, although informal attendants often ask for 20 to 30. Two walks start there: the riverside path to the big waterfall (about two hours each way, between oleanders and wooden walkways) or the climb to God's Bridge, a natural limestone arch hanging over the canyon. Lunch is best taken with your feet in the water, on chairs set right in the riverbed. One important caveat: the flow is not guaranteed outside spring, and the big waterfall has been reported dry during the recent droughts. Ask locally before driving all that way for a swim.
Driving in the Rif: staying safe and relaxed
The reputation of the Rif sometimes gives travellers pause. In practice the main roads linking Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Ouezzane are busy with Moroccan families and patrolled by the Gendarmerie Royale.
Stick closely to the posted speed limits, which often drop sharply on the approach to villages, use your horn sparingly on blind bends, and switch on dipped beams when morning mist settles over the Rif ridges.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car do I need for Chefchaouen and Akchour?
A small economy car is plenty: the roads to Chefchaouen and to the Akchour trailhead are all paved. A compact SUV mainly buys you extra comfort and visibility on the steep slopes.
How long should I spend in Chefchaouen and the surrounding area?
Two days and two nights is a comfortable pace: one day wandering and photographing the blue lanes of the medina, and a full day hiking and picnicking at Akchour.
Is fuel easy to find between Tangier and Chefchaouen?
Yes, modern service stations line the road right up to the edge of Chefchaouen. Do fill up, though, before heading out to hike at Akchour.
Further reading
rent a car at Tangier Ibn Battouta airport
rent a car in Fez to drive up to the Rif
browse the SUVs available on Loccor
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.