Lac d'Ifni

Lac d'Ifni sits at about 2,300 metres in a bowl of grey scree on the southern flank of the Toubkal massif and is the only lake of any size in the whole High Atlas. It was formed by a landslide damming the valley, and it has no surface outflow - the water leaves through the debris underground and re-emerges downstream, which is why the level moves and the shore is a broad band of bare stone. The colour is a deep green. Two ways in: a walk of a few hours up from Amsouzert in the Tifnoute valley, which is the easier approach and passes walnut groves and villages, or over the Tizi n'Ouanoums at 3,664 metres from the Toubkal refuges, which is a long hard day and the usual second stage of a Toubkal circuit. There are basic gites at the lake and at Amsouzert. The setting is severe and almost treeless.

What you actually see

• The Atlas's only real lake - dammed by a landslide, at about 2,300 metres.
• No surface outflow - water leaving through the debris and re-emerging downstream.
• A bare stone shore - a wide band exposed as the level moves.
• Two approaches - up from Amsouzert, or over a 3,664-metre pass from Toubkal.

When to go

May to October. Two to three days as part of a circuit.

Honest expectations

The pass route from Toubkal is a long hard day at altitude and not a casual walk. Accommodation at the lake is basic gite standard. The setting is stony and bleak - people expecting an alpine lake are surprised. Snow closes the pass outside summer.

Nearby

Toubkal is north over the pass; Amsouzert and the Tifnoute valley are south.