Hiking in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains: Essential information
Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains you can expect towering peaks, lush valleys, breathtaking vistas and snow-capped summits. As you make your way along the dusty pathways, you experience a taste of authentic Moroccan Berber village life.
Mud-brick houses cling to the mountainsides, overlooking steep terraced fields used to grow crops. Children play amongst the houses, using plastic bottles and anything else they can find to play with and create games.
As you navigate the many trails, you are provided with a unique opportunity to meet one of North Africa’s oldest communities. All whilst experiencing the freedom that comes with spending time in nature and panoramic views along the way.
A Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains. The tents are temporary accommodation for those who lost their homes in the September 2023 earthquake.
Where are the Atlas Mountains?
Found in the Maghreb region of North Africa, the Atlas Mountains extend across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Stretching for over 2,500 kilometres, the mountain range separates the coast of north Africa from the Sahara desert to the south.
The highest peak – Toubkal – is in Morocco, along with the next six highest peaks of the mountain range. The Moroccan section of the mountains can be easily accessed from either Marrakech or Fes.
Does anyone live in the Atlas Mountains?
The Atlas Mountains are home of the Berbers – otherwise known as Amazigh people – who are the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco. You haven’t truly experienced Morocco unless you’ve experienced Berber culture.
By staying in gîtes and purchasing from these small communities, you can make life a little easier for the people living in the High Atlas Mountains. You can also try local cuisine, including madfouna or kofta tagine – washed down with a pot of Morocco’s famous mint tea.
It’s a cultural experience in itself, and you may even get to share stories with your hosts, learning more about village life in the High Atlas Mountains.
Life is hard in the High Atlas Mountains. Whilst on the path we came across this 70-year-old Berber lady carrying over 20 kg on her back to feed her cow.
Why visit the High Atlas Mountains?
There are plenty of reasons to visit the High Atlas Mountains, but I’ll narrow it down to just several:
The scenery is beautiful
It’s a chance to experience authentic Moroccan Berber culture
Escaping into nature is a great way to recharge your batteries and return to everyday life refreshed
The High Atlas Mountains are easily accessed from other parts of Morocco, making visiting there easy and more affordable than other hiking destinations
There are trails for all levels, making it a great place to hike for a diverse range of people
Whether you opt for a leisurely stroll or a more challenging route, you will return from the mountains with a sense of achievement
Views from the Tizi Mzik Pass, down towards the Azzadene Valley on the way to Tizi Oussem.
Can I go to the High Atlas Mountains?
The Atlas Mountains offer a wide range of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging multi-day treks.
Whether you're seeking a scenic day hike or an epic adventure to the summit of Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak, there's a trail to suit your preferences and abilities.
First up, you need to get yourself a licensed guide. Taking a guide has been the rule since 2010 and there are checkpoints along the way.
There are plenty of unofficial guides available for a cheaper price, but if something goes wrong they might disappear and your insurance might not cover you.
You’re also more likely to learn more about the area and to have a better experience if you go with someone who is fully trained. Lots of licensed guides have studied travel and tourism at university.
Costs of guides varies depending on the size of the group, length of the hike, difficulty of the route and the altitude you want to go to. However, it’s reasonable to expect somewhere between 60-120 USD per person per day.
I went with oblatours.com and wouldn’t hesitate to go with Abdou again.
Abdou is from the High Atlas Mountains and is a licensed tour guide. I’ve been on two tours with him and he has been amazing both times!
When to visit THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Most people visit the Atlas Mountains in the spring or autumn, when green terraces tumble down the mountainsides and the high altitude peaks are warmer.
From April to June and September to November, the weather is mild, and the landscapes are alive with color.
Summer can be hot, especially in the lower valleys, while winter brings snow to higher elevations, making hiking more challenging.
However, it is absolutely possible to visit at any time of year if you don’t mind wearing extra layers or suffering through the heat.
I visited in mid January 2024, which was the hottest January on record. At the start of the hike it was 24°C, at the highest part (2,450 m) it was much colder and I was wearing a thermal mid-layer jacket with a fleece underneath.
Despite missing out on the verdancy, being greeted instead by dark, rocky mountain sides, I was really happy with the time I visited. It was quiet.
During two days of hiking I saw three other tourists on the trails. Abdou and I were the only ones staying at each of the guesthouses.
It was both remote and peaceful which is exactly what I was looking for.
Stopping for a picnic at the highest point of our hike (2,450 m) we needed more layers to stay warm. At the start of the hike the day before, we’d been sweating in t-shirts.
How to get to the High Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas Mountains can be easily accessed via taxi from Marrakech. Go to the Grande Taxi depot and ask which taxi is going to Imlil.
A lot of the trails either start or pass through Imlil. It is the starting point for many hikers looking to climb Toubkal.
I started walking from Imi Oughlad which is 8 kilometres miles from Imlil. It cost me 35 dirham for one way and took just over an hour.
Expect to wait a while whilst the taxi fills, as drivers won’t leave until each seat is occupied.
You may need to pay a little more than originally agreed if one or more of the passengers isn’t going all the way to the final destination, but this will be agreed before departure. You will pay for the taxi before you leave.
There are two different types of taxi in Morocco: petit taxis and grand taxis. A petit taxi is like a normal taxi, whereas a grand taxi is a car share to a fixed destination.
My route/ experience of hiking the High Atlas Mountains
I decided to opt for a more leisurely route, amounting to around five hours of hiking per day. It was a great experience, very rewarding and I happily would have done more.
Day 1: Imi Oughlad to Tizi Oussem via Tizi ‘n Tacht Pass (15 km)
After taking a grand taxi to Imi Oughlad, we stopped for a pot of mint tea. Next, we began the long walk up to the Tizi ‘n Tacht Pass.
After a hot and sweaty ascent, we stopped at the pass for a picnic and short rest.
Next, we made our way down into the Azzadene Valley, passing mud-brick houses and terraced villages – many of which were still damaged by the September 2023 earthquake.
By late afternoon we reached the village of Tizi Oussem (1720 m) where we stayed in a mountain gîte for the night.
Day 2: Tizi Oussem to Aremd via Tizi Mzik Pass (14 km)
After a filling breakfast and using the hammam at the gîte, we set off from Tizi Oussem.
With the climate much cooler, the steep pathways felt easier to follow than in the heat of the previous day.
By lunch we had reached the Tizi Mzik Pass, where we stopped for another picnic. From here, there were also great views over the valley and Imlil.
We spent the next couple of hours descending towards Imlil, then on towards our final destination: Aremd.
A dusty road just above the Tizi Mzik Pass, lined by juniper trees.
Where to stay in the High Atlas Mountains
There aren’t a vast number of options for accommodation in the mountains. A lot of places are very basic, whereby you stay in a guesthouse or a part of someone’s house.
If you decide to summit Toubkal you’ll probably have to spend some nights sleeping in tents.
However, whilst the accommodation is minimal – the homemade food and refreshing tea on offer when you get there more than makes up for it. I had the best tagine I’d ever tasted whilst on this trip and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
When planning your trip, your guide will be able to organise the accommodation for you.
Here’s where I stayed:
Gîte Tizi Oussem
Hotel Armed - Imlil Aremd (Armoumd)
The gîte at Tizi Oussem offered basic accommodation and delicious berber food.
What to pack for hiking in the High Atlas Mountains
Depending on when and where you go, you will see very few people or shops in the Atlas Mountains.
You won’t be able to buy clothes along the way, so make sure you pack for the climate.
Ask your guide to check you have everything you need before you leave, to avoid any unnecessary discomfort.
You’ll also need to strike the balance between packing light and taking the essentials with you. Depending on the length and difficulty of your hike it may be necessary to hire mules to help you with your baggage.
This is what I took for my hike in January, which I carried in a 30L backpack:
Water bottle
Sun hat
Beanie
Snacks (+ stuff for a picnic for lunch)
Hiking boots
Headtorch
Hiking socks
Gloves
Waterproof jacket
Down jacket
Waterproof trousers
Leggings
Fleece
Warm clothes to sleep in
Camera / GoPro
Phone + charger
Backpack
Towel
Toiletries
Underwear
Depending on the length and difficulty of the trek, mules may be used to carry your bags. We opted to pack light and carry our own luggage.
How much does it cost to hike in the High Atlas Mountains
Because the Atlas Mountains are so easy to access, they are more affordable to visit than other destinations. Week long hiking group tours can be found for 400 - 500 USD.
If you’d rather do a private trip, the costs of guides depend on how many people there are, the length of the hike, difficulty of the route and the altitude you want to go to. Prices vary, but a reasonable estimate would be 60-120 USD per person per day.
Accommodation is affordable. The gîtes I stayed in were very basic, but cost around 20 USD a night.
Transport to and from Marrakech to Imi Oughlad was also cheap at 3-4 USD via grand taxi. If you get a bus it will be even cheaper and if you take a private taxi you can expect to pay more.
Food will probably be included in group tours, but I’d definitely recommend taking snacks. We took sandwiches and picnic items for lunch and ate at the guesthouses for breakfast and dinner. The costs were minimal and definitely won’t break the bank.
Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains was one of my favourite things to do in Morocco. The satisfaction that comes with exercising and enjoying the peace and quiet of the outdoors left me feeling great!
Toubkal
If you’re looking for the ultimate High Atlas Mountains experience, then you may be interested in hiking Toubkal.
Hiking Toubkal can take anything from two to five days depending on the itinerary you choose.
The summit of the peak itself can be done in one day, however it is useful to build up a bit of endurance by doing some easier hiking in the days running up.
If you’re interested in a Toubkal group tour, G Adventures run an affordable Toubkal trip with extremely knowledgeable guides who are from the Atlas Mountains.
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