Taza National Park

Taza national park protects a compact stretch of the Jijel coast where the Babor range meets the Mediterranean, combining sea cliffs, coves and offshore rocks with cork oak and zeen oak forest, the largest such woodland in Algeria. Barbary macaques live in the forest and come down toward the road. The park is a designated biosphere reserve and includes a marine section covering the reefs and caves along the shore. Trails run inland from the coast road, and the Kef Aziza cave and several viewpoints over the sea are the usual objectives on a day visit.

The landscape

• Cork and zeen oak forest - the largest such woodland in Algeria.
• Forested cliffs above the sea - the mountains meeting the coast.
• Barbary macaques - troops in the woodland and near the road.
• The marine section - reefs and sea caves along the shore.

When to go

May to October for the coast and the trails; spring for flowers and birds. A day. Trails are best walked with local guidance, as marking is limited.

Practical notes

Trail marking is poor and information is hard to find. Fires have burned forest here in recent summers. Litter along the road and beaches is a problem. Facilities inside the park are almost nonexistent.

Nearby

Jijel is east along the corniche; Bejaia lies west.

Key facts