Sidi Bougabrine

marabout Sidi Bougabrine (literally the saint with two graves)

Many Tunisians and even foreigners agree that the most beautiful mountain in Tunisia is Zaghouan! The exceptional character of this mountainous site is due to the fact that it is at the same time a natural sanctuary preserved for many animal and vegetable species but also a historical site particularly rich by these innumerable vestiges (water temple, Roman aqueducts, marabout of Sidi Bougabrine etc.). 

It should not be forgotten that on the speleological level, apart from the Jebel Serdj, the Jebel Zaghouan is home for him alone the 3 deepest chasms in the country, the most famous of which is the chasm des 4 mad, deep 236m. 

It was by an invitation once again from the Turtle group that we started a hike through the paths of the Jebel. The route starts from the famous Leyete and Griaât, bypasses the optical station and descends on the road to the side of the Sidi Bougabrine marabout.

Arrived at the foot of the mountain on the side of the water temple, everyone was ready for the hike. The Jebel Zaghouan is practically the only mountain in Tunisia with a well-developed hiking trail. The hike is so easy.

Throughout the course, we were delighted by the preserved nature of the site and its rich flora. The rich and fragile vegetation cover includes the remains of the ancient  oil and carob forest of northern Tunisia. The Aleppo pine has become the majority, although there is also holm oak and other types of plants.

The Jebel, 1295m high, is a limestone mountain notched with deep valleys and water courses as well as vertiginous cliffs. The summit is accessible by a small acrobatic climb but is well worth the detour for the breathtaking view it overlooks the plains around the city of Zaghouan. We can also see other mountains in the area such as Fkirine, Boukornine and Bargou in the distance. A radio transmission station is also present connected by an asphalt road that winds through the beautiful mountain.

In the end, we ended the hike to the marabout Sidi Bougabrine (literally the saint with two graves), a marabout very famous in the area.

That's it, Djebel Zaghouan is a natural site to which all Tunisians will have to take a look, it is unavoidable!

Have a good day !