إمينيفري

Imi n’Ifri - Iminifri Pont Naturel

Useful Information

Location:	At the crossing of R302 and R307. 6 km east of Demnate along the R307. (31.723945, -6.971613)
Open:	no restrictions. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	Natural Bridge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	H=70 m.
Guided tours:	self guided, L=2 km, Sp=300, D=2 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Iminifri Pont Naturel, Demnat, Tel: +212-631-828180. Moroccan National Tourist Office, Corner of Rue Oued Al Makhazine and Rue Zalaga-BP 19. Agdal-Rabat-Maroc, Tel: +212-5-37-27-83-00, Fax: +212-5-37-67-40-15. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The waterfalls of Imi n’Ifri are quite famous, the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri not so much. The reason is simple, most people know what a waterfall is, but natural bridges are almost unknown. In this case its the remnant of a huge cave, most of it is collapsed, but one segment of the cave still exists. The remaining part is quite short, and light falls in from both sides, which means it is not dark as one would expect from a cave. Nevertheless it is actually a cave, because the official definition of a cave is met: its an underground void large enough to be entered by humans.

And there is a second thing about natural bridges. Some think a bridge is something which is crossed by a road. For natural bridges this is not necessary, but this one is actually crossed by two roads. So it is a natural double road bridge.

The name Imi n’Ifri is Berber and means Grotto’s Mouth. The cave has a height of 70 m and there are trails from the road 300 steps down into the gorge and through the cave. It is an official footpath, but in some places in the cave quite exposed and without railings. A head for heights and surefootedness are necessary to cross the cave. And you are rewarded with a special sight: from the other side the cave is shaped like the outlines of Africa, so you can see an Africa-shaped piece of the african sky. It even became the logo of the site.

Its hard to visit anything in Morocco, as most tourists do not have a car. Getting somewhere requires lengthy bus rides, a rented car, or an organized day trip. Fortunately the waterfalls make this a popular destination for day trips. For the walk through the cave you can hire a local guide, who will tell you about tzhe legends around the place.