The Anti-Atlas Mountains are Morocco's unsung hero. Living in the shadow of their bigger cousin the High Atlas, their more remote location makes them harder to reach, but no less dramatic and beautiful. The range stretches to the south-east of Agadir and lies just north of the Saharan regions of Morocco. The range is characterised by granite peaks, pretty hidden oases and lonely roads through orchards of almonds and palm trees. 

Tafraoute is a mountain village that has a lot to offer the visitor, right in the heart of the Anti-Atlas. Set in a Utah-esque landscape of sandy mountains and impressive boulders, the town itself is simple but agreeable. Close by there are several sites of interest like the Ameln Valley oasis, and more famously, the Blue Rocks (Les Roches Bleues) - a collection of massive boulders that are painted in striking colours as a expression of landscape art. Surreal indeed, and strangely compelling and complementary to the interesting landscape of the region.  

Heading south from Tafraoute is the fantastic Ait Mansour Gorge. This oasis, hidden beneath towering cliffs, is a haven of tranquility and is best explored on foot or by bicycle. The sad part of the story is that many of the inhabitants have had to leave the oasis for economic reasons (incidentally, folk from the region have a particular reputation for setting up grocery stores in the cities of Morocco), but there are a scattering of small settlements and one or two riverside restaurants and cafes buried in the oasis. 

The Anti-Atlas region as a whole has, in recent years, seen a boom in investment in its road infrastructure and much of the old network of dirt roads has been surfaced of late, creating a superb network of quiet country lanes that are ideal for exploring by road bike. The mountain environment provides an excellent physical challenge and visitors who cycling in the region regard it as a rare gem of peace, quiet, interest and overall quality of experience. 

Close to the coastal resort of Agadir, Paradise Valley (which is technically in the High Atlas) offers another interesting landscape to be explored. A thin road, that is from time to time washed out, dissects the valley which is known for its attractive palm oases and rock pools. The upper part of the valley offers great views and some excellent (if simple) cafes and restaurants that sell the speciality of the area - Amlou. Not unlike peanut butter, this spreadable delicacy is a mixture of almond paste, argan oil and honey. It's sold in jars and served as an accompaniment to freshly baked bread.  

Taghzout is a surfing Mecca. It is Morocco's premier surf destination and offers a more laidback and bohemian ambience than nearby resort town Agadir. Essentially a fishing village of ramshackle local houses (some of which are now renovated), the scene is overwhelmingly surf-orientated, and the reliability of the breaks in the area make it a good year round option for surfers who want to sample the sport Africa-style. Taghzout isn't for everyone but for the more laid back visitor prepared to go with the flow and take the rough with the smooth, it's close to perfection.