Djurdjura National Park

The Djurdjura is a limestone wall running east to west through Kabylie, rising to Lalla Khedidja at 2,308 metres, the highest point of the Tell Atlas, and the national park protects its cliffs, cedar forest, high pastures and karst. Water sinks into that limestone rather than running off it, and the range holds some of the deepest cave systems in Africa, explored by expeditions since the 1970s and still being extended. Barbary macaques live in the cedar and oak, and golden eagle and Bonelli's eagle use the cliffs. The main access point is Tikjda, a mountain station on the southern side with lodging, from which trails climb to the ridge and the summits.

What you actually see

• Lalla Khedidja at 2,308 metres - the highest point of the Tell Atlas.
• Deep karst cave systems - among the deepest known in Africa.
• Cedar and oak forest - the woodland below the limestone walls.
• Barbary macaques and eagles - the wildlife of the range.

When to go

May to October for walking; snow closes the high ground and some roads in winter. A day for the accessible sections, more with a guide for the ridge. Weather changes fast at altitude.

Honest expectations

Trails are unmarked and route-finding on the ridge needs a guide or real mountain experience. Caving here is expedition territory, not a visitor activity. Facilities outside Tikjda are minimal. Fires have damaged forest in recent summers.

Nearby

Tikjda is the base station; Tizi Ouzou lies north.