Ouiouane Lake

Ouiouane is one of the string of small lakes on the limestone plateau above Khenifra, sitting in a hollow with cedar and holm oak coming down to the water on most sides and grazing land on the rest. It is smaller and shallower than Azigza and less visited, which is its recommendation - there is no development beyond a couple of seasonal cafes and some rough camping ground, and on a weekday there may be nobody there at all. The forest around it is part of the Khenifra national park area and holds macaques, wild boar and a range of raptors. The drive is the other half: the road from Khenifra climbs through cedar stands with the Middle Atlas opening behind, and the tracks between the lakes on the plateau connect several of them for anyone with time and a suitable vehicle. Levels drop noticeably by late summer.

What you actually see

• Cedar to the waterline - forest coming down to the shore on most sides.
• A quiet plateau lake - little development and often nobody there midweek.
• Park forest - macaques, boar and raptors in the surrounding woodland.
• The plateau drive - tracks linking several lakes across the limestone.

When to go

April to October; spring for the fullest water. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Levels fall substantially by late summer and the lake shrinks. There are almost no facilities. Tracks are rough and best in a high-clearance vehicle. Weekend campers leave litter at the accessible end.

Nearby

Aguelmame Azigza is south; Khenifra is west.