Zaouiat Ahansal is in the High Atlas region of Morocco.

Understand

A remote High Atlas mountain town, Zaouiat Ahansal was founded in the 13th century by traveller and Islamic scholar Sidi Said Ahansal, who claimed in legend, was intended to establish a religious school where his cat leapt off from his donkey.

The town has a population of 10,000 people and is inhabited by nomadic Berber people, most notably the Aït Atta tribes.

See

• Mastfrane Rock Cathedral (north of Zaouiat Ahansal). rises to more than 1800 metres high. (updated Aug 2019)

Eat

• 1 Cafe Restaurant Atlas, ☏ +212 648-177167. Casual Moroccan cuisine. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Gîte Farid, ☏ +212 661-158857. 

Go next

The oasis town of Tinerhir is close by.