The Beni Hassan: tribe of the high peaks

To understand the high mountains of Tetouan, start with the Beni Hassan. This tribe holds the Tetouan section of Talassemtane park, the five highest peaks of the province and hamlets perched at about 1200 metres.

The peaks

Jbel Kelti is the roof of the province at about 1926 metres. It is followed by Jbel Aliouiyine and Jbel Hafat Zeltan, the tribe's main rocky landmark, then Jbel Idmamen in El Oued commune, and Jbel Tellouja, the white limestone wall north of the Ouadiyine pass. The full ranking: the five highest peaks of Tetouan province.

Hamlets and villages

• Adar: the highest settlement in the province, at about 1200 metres, above the Ouadiyine pass.
• Tamalout: on the northern slope of Kelti, at about 1100 metres.
• Iaanen: the village of deep shade on the Tasfit river, between Kelti and Aliouiyine.
• Afrada: on the slopes of the limestone crest, a land of springs and old rural settlement.

The communes

Al Hamra commune is a major centre of the tribe's historical lands; its village is known as the capital of the Beni Hassan, on National Road 2, and its name is linked in local memory to the “trench of death”. El Oued commune is one of the largest in the province and one of the richest in water, between the limestone mountains and Talassemtane. Beni Leit commune, about 50 kilometres south of Tetouan, has forested land tied to the mountain face of Bouhachem.

In the east, Khams Beni Hassan, a branch of the tribe, is administratively attached to Ouled Ali Mansour commune, on the eastern slope of Kelti.

On National Road 2

Near Al Hamra, on National Road 2 between Tetouan and Chefchaouen, lies Ben Karrich, named after the judge Mohammed Benkarrich, of Andalusian origin, who built a house in the area in the 18th century.

Frequently asked questions