The Rif is Morocco’s most northerly mountain chain. It’s a great area for hiking and is home to Morocco’s famous blue city, Chefchaouen. The Rif extends from Tangier in the west to Algeria in the east.  

Much of its 180 mile (290 km) stretch hugs the Mediterranean Sea. “Rif” means “edge of cultivated land” in Arabic, and this makes sense as a majority of the Rif is not well suited for urban settlement or large agricultural endeavors. However, it is well known for growing and harvesting kif, or marijuana, despite the fact that it is illegal. Be advised that the consequences of being found with marijuana are quite steep. It’s not recommended that foreigners attempt to find these areas. 

Historically, the area has been an impoverished area. In the 1920s, Berber tribes in the region resisted the Spanish colonial rule. The armed conflict from 1920-1927 was bloody and ended when the French got involved and Morocco surrendered. 

Recommended Length of Stay: Pass Through – Several Days