We’ve been blessed to have enjoyed a couple of the Tawada Hiking trails now. Head Guide and Company Founder, Moha, and his partner, Vera, offer a variety of hikes in the region, with a focus on sharing Moha’s passion for his Berber culture and their native, spiritual land.
Our hike started about 20 mins inland from Aourir, taking us across the dry river bed and up through olive and argan tree forest, towards a few houses high up in the mountains. We passed shepherds and tree-climbing goats. Bees feeding on cactus flowers. With Moha stopping to pick wild lavender, thyme and other plants used for cooking and medicinal purposes.
We heard about the female and the male olive trees, the females bearing the edible fruits. And the magnificent argan tree, one in particular we saw which is 500 year old and is still producing argan nuts twice a year.
We walked through avenues of palm trees, their branches hanging low under the weight of giant leaves and an abundance of dates. The colours of the dates and palm leaves reminiscent of fireworks exploding from the sky. On our October hike, Moha shot some down with his slingshot; soft, sweet, gooey dates fresh into our palms.
We clambered up a steep hill, to be greeted by smiling women and children. Welcoming us into their mountain home to cool down and reenergise with mint tea, biscuits and homemade bread dipped in roasted argan oil and honey produced by them. (They are now selling their honey and oil so recommend taking cash for that.)
Few words in common we sat listening as the family chatted merrily with Moha. One of our group summed it up perfectly, ‘they speak like birds’. Chirping, singing and lyrically communicating. The picture above shows their mountaintop home, the family requested not to be photographed.
We left feeling a deep sense of peace, and recharged. The recharge partly due to the sugar in the mint tea and the honey that lingered for a good while after we left. And also, the calming influence of that grounded family, their simple life had been felt instantly. A reminder how important these grounded and spiritual souls are for slowing down of our fast-paced human race.
We passed several points where there were hundreds of fossils as we walked on the what would have been the bottom of the ocean, 60 million years ago.
And then just as the heat was picking up again we reached a point where the valley view opened up to reveal a large pool of freshwater, turquoise water. With turtles sunbathing on the rocks, donkeys carrying bundles of dates and a palm tree filled valley – it was like stumbling into Eden. The water was cold, the perfect cool down. A full body smile from the tingling sensation.
The final part of the hike was zig zagging across the river bed. Moha has us hopping over rocks and taking shade in the palm trees. A great work out for the core and legs, we spoke later of how hiking was perfect complement to the upper body strength developed whilst surfing in the waves.
If nature had designed the perfect hike, Moha has discovered it. This is just one of his favourite trails. Others can be enjoyed in Taghazout, Imsouane, Paradise Valley and many more hidden gems. Moha’s passion for his land, culture and people is beautiful to see and share. Your senses will thank you for taking part.
Thank you Tawada for sharing your passion and native land so generously.
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