Experiencing four seasons within 300km

March 17, 2018

Morocco is one of the most diverse country that I’ve visited. Crossing the Atlas mountain range was impressive. I experienced summer, fall, winter and spring within a couple of days on a trip that was only about 300km.

After enjoying temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius (84 Fahrenheit) with Said near Errachidia, I drove over the eastern High Atlas and stayed in the desert a few kilometers in front of Midelt.

Van parked in the desert near Midelt

I had a nice view on the High Atlas covered in snow. It was still very warm during the day but noticeable colder at night. The more I drove north, the more clouds covered the sky.

View on the High Atlas

The temperature dropped and it rained a lot while I was driving through the Middle Atlas. The climate changed and so did the vegetation. It had been a long time since I saw green grass and trees. The scenery reminded me of the fall in Germany.

Parking lot in front of Ifrane

It was around 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) when I woke up in Ifrane which is about 1,700 meters above sea level. I couldn’t hear the rain dropping on my van anymore. Did the weather get better? Not all! When I looked out of my window, I saw snow falling down the sky. :snowflake:

Snow in Ifrane

My first winter experience in 2018. Enough for me. It was about time to leave the Middle Atlas!

Snow on my windshield

Only 50km further down the way towards Fes, the temperatures went up again.

Green grass in front of Fes

Everything was green and flowers were blooming next to the road. It was springtime!

Flowers

I experienced all four seasons on my way from Midelt to a beautiful reservoir near Ain Dorij.

Reservoir near Ain Dorij

Wow, what an impressive route!