Morning
Drive from Fes
Private transfer south into the Middle Atlas, climbing through farmland into the hills.
Fes, Morocco· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Horse riding in the Middle Atlas
Ride through cedar forest and open upland meadows from stables near Ifrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas, on a horse and at a pace matched to your level. Beginners get a calm horse and a guide alongside. The full day includes 1.5–3 hours in the saddle, a lunch break and time in Ifrane.
- Private or small-group
- A local guide with you
- Quoted for your dates
What it's like
South of Fes the land rises into the Middle Atlas, a region of cedar and holm-oak forest, volcanic plateaus and small lakes around the towns of Ifrane and Azrou. It is horse country, and stables in the area take riders out on forest tracks and across open meadows that feel nothing like the medina an hour or so away.
We match the ride to your level. Beginners get a calm horse, a guide on foot or alongside, and gentle tracks; experienced riders can go further and faster. The day is built around the ride, with time in Ifrane and a lunch break, and can be combined with a stop in the cedar forest.
Best for: Riders of any level wanting a break from the city; Families with children old enough to ride with a guide; Combining with the Ifrane and Azrou cedar forest day.
- How long
- Full day, with 1.5–3 hours in the saddle
- From Fes
- About an hour to an hour and a half by road
- How active
- Some walking
- Families
- Children welcome
How it runs
A typical running order. Timings shift with your group, the season and the day of the week.
+1:15
At the stables
Meet the horses and the riding guide, get fitted with a helmet and talk through your experience.
+1:45
The ride
One and a half to three hours on forest tracks and open meadows, depending on your level and the season.
Midday
Lunch
Lunch in Ifrane or Azrou, or a picnic if the weather is right.
Afternoon
Cedar forest stop and return
Optional stop in the cedar forest near Azrou, then the drive back to Fes.
Up close
Cedar and oak forest
The Middle Atlas holds some of Morocco's largest Atlas cedar forests, mixed with holm oak.
Upland meadows
Open plateaus where the horses can stretch out, green in spring and golden by late summer.
Rides for every level
Calm horses and short rides for beginners; longer routes for confident riders.
Private or small-group
Private
Your party with a private driver and a riding guide, with the route and length set to your level.
Small-group
A shared ride with a few other travellers of similar experience, with a shared transfer.
Practical notes
Wear long trousers and closed shoes with a small heel; helmets are provided. Tell us honestly about your riding experience and any weight limits we should check with the stable. Winter can bring snow and cold to the Middle Atlas, so rides are seasonal and weather-dependent.
Good to know
Rides depend on weather; snow or heavy rain can change plans. Children ride with a guide leading the horse. Bring layers; the Middle Atlas is noticeably cooler than Fes.
Before you knock
The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.
Can beginners go horse riding near Fes?
Yes. Stables in the Middle Atlas have calm horses for beginners, with a guide leading or riding alongside on gentle tracks.
How far is the riding from Fes?
The stables are in the Ifrane and Azrou area, roughly an hour to an hour and a half by road from Fes, so it is a full-day outing.
Can children ride?
Often, yes, on a led horse with a guide alongside, but each stable sets its own minimum age and rider rules, so check before you book. Tell us their ages and we'll confirm with the stable.
Pair it with
Middle Atlas hikingA guided day walk through cedar and holm-oak forest, volcanic hills and the lakes around Dayet Aoua, a short drive from Fes.See how it runsAzrou cedar forest walkAn easy walk among the ancient Atlas cedars above Azrou, where Barbary macaques live in the trees, on a half-day or full-day trip from Fes.See how it runs
Sunset at the Merinid TombsClimb to the hill above Fes el-Bali for the city's great sunset view, with the Saadian fort of Borj Nord and the Merinid ruins on the way.See how it runsRead before you go: Things to do in Ifrane, Fes to Marrakech via the Middle Atlas (2 days).
Send your dates. We'll fit this into your Fes days.
- Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
- A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
- You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.