mawtfoud circuit, 2 days ;zawit sidi hamza  tizi n wamghas ;taarart;tizi n ,awtfoud   
        tanghrift zawite sidi  hamza , louggegh (1950 m) to zawite sidi hamza (1680m)
  via massou (2000m) tizi n- mawtfoud (2788m) tannghrift (1950m)

 the first 2 h to masou is part of the r 143, shorteut R through  emerald green fields of wheat  and barley withe the qsar on its  promontory outlined against snows the the l , i, spring a bridge is necessary to cross the trrent , now aim for tizi n- mawtfoud: en route  are vieus r to dismal cedar  gravyard on the N slop of ich-n-ifran  (3113 peak of  caves ) at the  col (2), ayyachi looms imppressively  to the Nù where S facing slopes till the mid may , rather than descend S to ait yaaqoub, turnL(E) along a contouring pathefor some 3 km
   on  the R is an aerial view of afraskou qsar end ; beyond it bleu grey ranges gradually  subsiding towords the  sahara ,the path winds down inexorbly over knolls and in raviines,past tillghemt tinourmat  to tadawt n- ighardan this section becomes quit dull alo,g a vague path;lost and found againin scree slopes: scarce juniper and an occasionale nomadic encampment where a few camels  my be  seen : several streams are crossed, eventually  emerge on the broad pass of  agerd n-oulghif(2025m), withe the conspicuous landmarkof of kouddiat abdelmoumen in the distance announcing the proximity of zawiat sidi hamza , an other 3 h or  so of trail to qasar of tazroufte or to zawite sidi hamza it self ( 7 h from mawtfoud pass11 h in all )
    alternatives :(A) by R 143, a tough streteh via the oustour spring, and SE to  the barren tizi n- wamghas (ouarmess; 3300m), this  narrowly skirting  the highest  pt ,of jabel ,mawtfoud (3445m) , then a bad scree stumbile down the long S side to tazruft ( 14h from Massou), (B) More leisurely, a descent to afraskou and ait yaakoub is recommended, withe a break of journey at the  latter place, inspect the local battlefield whereù in may 1929 ù franch forces  suffered one àf their worst reverses of the atlase campaign, continuation next day  via idalliwn (1879m)  and tanghrift, along  the  piste to zawit sidi hamza  ,