Imi n'Ifri Natural Bridge

Imi n'Ifri, meaning the mouth of the cave, is what remains of a cavern whose roof fell in: a natural bridge of rock spanning a small gorge outside the town of Demnate, with the stream that cut it still running underneath. Steps and a path lead down from the road into the gap, where the arch curves overhead, the walls are streaked with travertine, and the noise is from water and from bats roosting in the dark hollows above. It takes under an hour to walk down, through and back, and local guides tell the legend attached to the place. Dinosaur footprints preserved in rock slabs in the hills nearby are shown as a separate stop.

What you actually see

• The rock arch - the span left standing when the cavern roof collapsed.
• The stream and pools - the water that cut the cave, still running below.
• The bat colonies - roosts in the hollows of the arch, audible at dusk.
• The travertine walls - mineral streaks and formations along the gorge.

When to go

Spring and autumn are best, with water in the stream and mild temperatures in the gorge. Summer afternoons are hot on the approach, though it stays cool under the arch. After heavy rain the path down is muddy and the stream rises. Morning light reaches into the gorge and makes the arch easier to photograph.

Honest expectations

It is a short visit, an hour at most, and not worth a special trip from Marrakech on its own; combine it with Ouzoud or the Bouguemez road. Guides at the top are insistent and their fee is negotiable. The steps are uneven and slippery near the water. The site collects litter, and the bats are best left alone rather than disturbed for photographs.

Nearby

Demnate and its weekly souk are close, and the roads to the Ouzoud falls and the Aït Bouguemez valley lead on from here.