High Atlas
Top Tips
Here are our favourite things to do in the High Atlas.
back to topTreks and Hikes
If you plan to go trekking, the Moroccan Tourist Office publishes a
booklet each year called The Great Trek Through the Moroccan
Atlas, full of useful info. Richard Knight's Trekking in the
Moroccan Atlas is also recommended.
ATLAS - TOUBKAL REGION
Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), North Africa's highest mountain, is
the most popular hiking region and offers trekking routes to suit
all levels of fitness. The village of Imlil (65km from
Marrakech, and 17km from Asni) is the established starting point
for treks around Toubkal, where we recommend staying at the
Kasbah du Toubkal. They can arrange a 2-day
fully-supported hike to the summit and back, with 1 night in a
simple mountain refuge. The ascent is strenous (several sheer scree
slopes) but involves no actual climbing once the snow has cleared
in spring. Those who prefer to take their downhills slowly should
allow an extra day, splitting the descent with a night’s camp
en route, lying agape beneath crystal-clear, star-studded skies.
Guides, mules and porters should be employed for anything more than
a day hike. Expect to meet several tourists along the way.
A popular longer trek is the Toubkal Circuit (66km), which
takes 7-9 days, starts and finishes in Imlil and takes in Toubkal's
summit, several high-altitude passes, and remote Berber
villages.
If you're not up to Toubkal, there are plenty of other less taxing
trails in the area. You can still enjoy spectacular scenery on the
easier 3-day hike to Setti Fatma, which includes only one
rocky pass (3,172m).
Other popular hikes include the gentler Kik Plateau, home to
a cluster of Berber villages which bustle with life and welcoming
shepherd families, despite having neither electricity nor road
access. These can be reached from near Ouirgane, where you can also
arrange mule treks through the foothills and gorges of the
lower Atlas.
ATLAS - M'GOUN REGION
M'Goun Massif in the central High Atlas is more remote and
much quieter than Toubkal. Various 2-7 day circuits are
available from the lush Ait Bou Goumez Valley (around 200km east of
Marrakech, nearish to Azilal), culminating in the summit of M'Goun
(4,068m). Expect spectacular views, plenty of Berber villages and
dramatic, isolated gorges. Easier treks can be done at lower
altitude in the valley passing through numerous hamlets.
Ecolodge de Dar Itrane makes a perfect place to stay for
this.
SOUTHERN DESERTS
Jebel Sarhro, further south between the High Atlas and the
sub-Sahara, is the best place for winter trekking
(December-April) when the Atlas are mostly snowed in. A number of
challenging treks start from N'Kob near the Dades Valley, about
120km east of Ouarzazate. Although lower in altititude, the region
is dramatic, wild, arid, isolated and little explored, but with
beautiful rock formations and deep gorges.
Great Drives
MARRAKECH - TAROUDANT
(280km, allow 5-6 hours)
Morocco's most spectacular road is the R203, which goes over the
Tizi'n'Test pass(2,092m) linking Taroudant to Marrakech. The
pass itself is about 100km from Marrakech, after Asni (near the
Kasbah de Toubkal) and Ouirgane. The breathtaking mountain
scenery is reason alone for taking this route, but try to
include time to visit the historic mosque of Tin Mal (which lies on
the Marrakech side of the pass), one of only a handful in Morocco
which non-muslims can visit (except on Fridays).
MARRAKECH - OUARZAZATE - DRAA AND DADES VALLEYS
(200km/3 hours as far as Ouarzazate)
This is another breathtaking drive which takes you up into the
Atlas crossing the Tizi'n'Tichka pass (2,260m). From here
you can make a worthwhile detour to the crumbling but surprisingly
lavish Glaoui kasbah at Telouet. From Ouarzazate (a rather
non-descript former French garrison town), you can head east
through the Dades Valley known as the 'road of the 1,000 kasbahs'
(castle-like fortifications built by Berber tribes and usually made
from clay and mud). Around 30km before Ouarzazate is the best
preserved kasbah of the Atlas region - Ait Benhaddou, which
featured in Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and
Gladiator. Continue driving beyond Ouarzazate, either down
the magical Draa Valley towards Zagora (165km from Ouarzazate) and
the desert, passing through oases and Berber villages, or to
Tinerhir along the Valley of the Kasbahs (see south and desert
region). For the more adventurous and energetic this is a great
trip by mountain bike.