Hello my friends in the Hive community!
Today I'd like to share with you an adventure I had recently... A hike like no other, in the mountains around the beautiful town of Ifrane. You know, those dense forests full of cedars, those paths that go up and down endlessly, and that peaceful atmosphere that you can only find in the middle of nature. But this time, I had a little moment of panic... and a lot of magic too!
It all started with a simple desire to walk, to breathe in the fresh mountain air and get away from the noise and stress of everyday life. I grabbed my rucksack, a bottle of water and my fully-charged phone, and set off along a quiet-looking path. There weren't many people around that day, maybe because it was a weekday. In any case, I had the mountain almost to myself.
The first few kilometres went really well. The path was well marked, and all around me, the immense trees formed a natural roof. Birdsong echoed everywhere, like a gentle soundtrack to my every step. At times, I just stopped to listen, breathe deeply and enjoy the silence.
But after a while, I began to realise that... I didn't really recognise the path any more. There were no markings, no signs, no familiar landmarks. And that's when I realised that I'd gone a bit too far. I was alone, in the middle of the forest, with no signal. For a few seconds, I felt a little lump in my stomach. I laughed nervously and said to myself: ‘Well done Redwan, you're lost now!
But you know what? That moment of uncertainty was quickly replaced by a strange feeling of calm. I thought to myself, ‘OK, you're lost, but you're also exactly where you should be.’ And as I looked up, I saw the light coming through the branches, the birds still singing, and this incredible view of the mountains in the distance. Frankly, it took my breath away. I took a deep breath, started smiling to myself and also did some loud cries to de-stress a bit 🙂 . That kind of moment is worth all the guided walks in the world.
I kept walking, slowly, trying to find a path, a clue. And then the climbs started to make themselves felt... It was steep, and with the altitude, I was having a bit of trouble breathing. My heart was beating fast, my legs were tired, but something kept pushing me to keep going. I had the impression that the mountain was testing me, as if to see if I was really ready to live this adventure to the end.
At one point, I came across a small stream. The water was clear and cold, and I took the opportunity to refresh my face. I even filled my bottle, after filtering the water with a handkerchief - not very professional, I know, but effective! And there, sitting by that little stream, alone in the middle of nature, I felt incredibly alive. No need for a network, no need for noise, just me and the forest, just me and nature.
And then, at some point, I had to go back down. I found a slope that seemed to lead back down to the valley, so I began the descent carefully. But you see, those little round stones that you don't notice... well, they can be treacherous. My foot slipped and pow! I ended up on my back on the ground, my arms spread out like a star. I let out a little cry of surprise, followed by a good laugh. Fortunately, nothing was broken, just a bit of dust on my trousers and a good scare.
As I continued downhill, I also found animal tracks on the ground, probably wild boar or even a passing fox.
Finally, after a long walk, I found a wider path and then a small group of hikers on the horizon. I can't tell you how relieved I was! I chatted to them for a while, exchanging smiles, bits of bread and anecdotes, as if we'd known each other all our lives. It's amazing how the mountains bring people together.
Getting lost allowed me to find myself again. I realised that sometimes you have to let go, trust nature, trust your steps, and just enjoy the moment. Even the little falls, even the moments of doubt, are part of the experience. That day, I wasn't alone... I was accompanied by the birds, the trees, the wind, and even by the mountain itself.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I hope it will inspire you to get out, walk, reconnect with nature... and why not, get a bit lost too.
See you soon for the next post!
I'm Redwan from Morocco ! I've always had a passion for travelling and discovery. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than exploring new places, whether historical, archaeological or in the heart of nature. Through my blogs, you can discover the hidden gems of Morocco, whether you want to admire the fascinating architecture of a historic site, delve into the legends surrounding an archaeological site, or simply marvel at the beauty of Moroccan nature!
I took all the photos with my own Redmi Note 11 smartphone, and edited them on canva !
