Mount Toubkal, Morocco, Africa
How to climb Toubkal, the highest peak in Morocco, North Africa and the Arab world? Which route to take? What to expect? The difficulty level of the Toubkal climb? How to organize and prepare the trip?
This guide is gathering the details of a good organization of the ascent of Jbel Toubkal (4167m) by yourself or through an agency. This is all the information you need to successfully climb Toubkal.
The ascent of Toubkal is a self-fulfillment journey, going beyond your physical limits and a golden opportunity to see magnificent landscapes of the Atlas Mountains. It is indeed one of the most beautiful hikes in Morocco.
Toubkal is probably one of the most accessible peaks of the latitude of (4,116 meters) in the world. Climbing Mount Toubkal is a beautiful adventure that takes place on a 2 to 3-day hike (the quickest route up to the summit taking two days). It's not at all technical and does not require a lot of mountaineering experience.
That said, good organization, a minimum of physical condition, and a lot of motivation is necessary.
Despite the ease of this climb, the risks are not absent. In fact, fatal accidents have already occurred while climbing Mount Toubkal. Unfortunate incidents mainly due to unexpected natural elements or a lack of preparation. Therefore it is paramount that you have good travel insurance before going on a trek to Toubkal.
You have to know when to go, what equipment to bring, and how to prepare yourself for the climb. You must especially keep in mind that this is a great summit. Toubkal is a mountain to be considered, like all the others, with a lot of respect and humility!
You can summit Mount Toubkal in a couple of days, with a couple of more days either end to get to and from Marrakech and acclimatise. Or you can take eight days to enjoy other aspects of the High Atlas Mountains, such as Mount Ouanoukrim, Morocco’s second highest peak, valleys with the wildest mountain environs enveloping you, such as Azaden Valley with its ancient juniper forests or the fertile slopes of Ourika Valley, the heartland of Berber pastures or the Ifni lake. No matter what you choose to explore or, what duration you set aside to conquer the great peak, you will most likely start in the gateway village of Imlil, a small village in the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where the roads end and the mountain trails begin. It is 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) above sea level.
Map to get from Marrakech to the small village of Imlil in the Atlas Mountains
The excursion to Toubkal National Park often starts in Marrakech. It is from the ocher city that the village of Imlil is most easily accessible (just 90 mins from Marrakech), It’s so close to the famous city that it’s often considered as one of the best day trips from Marrakesh. Indeed, you can get to Imlil from other access points like Ourika valley, Ifni Lake or Ouarzazate, but it is challenging when planning the trip by yourself especially when it comes to public transport.
64 km separate Imlil from Marrakech. The cheapest way to get there is to take a seat in one of the shared taxis from Marrakech or a grand taxi as they are called in Morocco.
Taxis for Imlil leave from the grand taxi station of Bab Agnaou or Sidi Mimoun in Marrakech. However, you will have to wait until the taxi is full (6 seats) before being able to leave. The price to pay per seat is between 35 to 40 DH, and it possible to hire the whole taxi for yourself for 250 MAD to 300 MAD if you don't want to waste time waiting and if you are looking for a more comfortable experience.
If you have your own car or if you are renting one, you can also drive directly to the small village of Imlil. Expect the drive to be very pleasant.
The road from Marrakech to Imlil crosses some very beautiful Moroccan natural sites. Starting with Lake Lalla Takerkoust 30 km south of Marrakech. A very beautiful region to discover as well that offers many nautical activities and good Berber tagines to taste.
The road to the village of Imlil has many bends and is not in good condition when it rains as it tends to be covered by rocks that fall from the cliffs nearby. Therefore you should drive more carefully.
As you travel there the countryside around you will completely change. You will see the environment change from arid dust to green, leafy foliage.
The temperature will also become cooler so make sure to have a sweater on hand. As you approach the village, the hills become gradually filled with more and more Apple and Cherry trees.
The drive from Marrakech to Imlil is a scenic one that you would want to admire fully, as you leave the sandy plains near Marrakech and head south towards the High Atlas Mountains. The quickest, safest and best way to get the most of your trip is choosing a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles with a professionally-licenced driver.
The Berber village of Imlil, the starting point to climbing Mount Toubkal, is one of the most beautiful Moroccan Berber villages. Nestled at the foot of Toubkal at 1740 meters, this higgledy piggeldy village, home to Berber shepherds, mules and muleteers, traditional adobe houses, a busy market, almond groves and views out to Mount Toubkal, with its perfect sunset positioning is by itself worth the trip.
If you'd like to visit the Berber village of Imlil without taking the Mount Toubkal hike, We will to help you put your Imlil trip together.
Imlil is well equipped to welcome hikers and nature enthusiasts. Several cottages, of different prices and services, are available.
Imlil village
You must book in advance for our well recommended Kasbah Tamadout (Luxurious and very smart) or Kasbah du Toubkal where Dormitories start at 40 euros (around £36) and doubles start at 160 euros (around £142) Rooms start at $180 (standard suite) through to $460 (apartment suite), plus tax and 5% local community benefit tax, and includes breakfast. or the best affordable options such as Riad Atlas Toubkal, Dar Imlil, Targa Imoula or Atlas Mazik Lodge mountain views.
Keep in mind that camping in unauthorized places is prohibited.
Imlil is a land to attractions that you can enjoy as either part of your trip, or as a break in your transfer between Marrakech and Imlil. This Berber village is home to several beautiful hikes to explore the surrounding natural sites such as the Imlil waterfalls or the beautiful Berber villages of Tachdirte or Tinmel, home to Tinmel mosque, a reminder of the founding the Almohad dynasty. You can also pay a visit to Anima garden and stroll around the souks, or simply relax in the village, meet its charming inhabitants, and admire the splendor of the Atlas Mountains from the comfort of your terrace.
This amazing old mosque will blow you away with its beauty, location and perfect symmetric arches!
Imlil has all kinds of restaurants, cafes, sandwich stands, and little shops that sell shawarma and pizza. Our best recommended is Kasbah de Toubkal that you must book in advance for lunch. For a more local and traditional choices, you can choose Riad Imlil, located right on the edge of a little river and it’s quite soothing to hear the sound of the water as you eat on the terraces or in the garden. You can also try the Guesthouse Ain Mizane located on the main road between the entrance of Imlil and the first bridge, it has a very nice outdoor little garden where you can enjoy delicious tagines and big portions of couscous.
Kasbah du Toubkal, the award-winning hotel set deep within Toubkal National Park
The equipment for climbing Toubkal does not differ from good hiking equipment in general. Having said that, you have to make sure you have the right shoes for the nature of the terrain and the time of the year you hike to Toubkal.
The slope towards the summit is quite steep and you might slip backward…
If you are planning to hike Mount Toubkal in summer, you will be fine with walking sticks and your summer clothes. But, if you are planning to go there in the winter, you will need to rent some crampons as well as walking sticks before heading up the mountain. Local lodges and guides in the village put for rent all the necessary equipment for climbing Mount Toubkal.
For the safety of the visitors, the Moroccan authorities require each group of hikers to be accompanied by a qualified local guide who has plenty of experience and knowledge in climbing the High Atlas.
Between Imlil and the summit of the mountain, there are three police checkpoints that verify you are accompanied by a guide. They know who went up the mountain and who hasn’t come down yet and can be alerted relatively quickly and could provide help and assistance as soon as possible when needed.
Most guided Toubkal treks spend three days on the mountain - having a guide with you is a must!
You can hire a certified mountain guides in the region of Mount Toubkal for a day or multiple days trek to Toubkal, expect to pay between 400 and 700 MAD to go to Toubkal and back. once in Imlil, you will be approach by a lot of men asking if you need a guide to climb Toubkal. We recommend to make sure they are certified guides as most of them are not.
This price doesn’t include your food, the price of the crampons if you go there in winter and a night spent at the refuge halfway up the mountain where you will have to stay.
Some of the guides to Toubkal also provide donkeys to carry your bags…
A very pleasant 6-hour hike awaits you from the village of Imlil to your last stop before the ascent, the Toubkal refuge. The landscapes are very beautiful, and the drop is gradual. This hike is accessible to most people!
Itinerary to the highest peak in Northern Africa
In the middle of this mountain path, we discover one of the most unusual places in the region, the court of Sidi Chamharoush. A mausoleum created for Chamharouch, the king of the Djins (A certain type of spirit in Islam) and guardian of the Toubkal Mountain in the traditions of the region. A curious place where you can see locals of different ages arriving breathless and legs shaking. People go there to be treated, according to local beliefs, for sterility, rheumatism, and other incurable diseases. Sidi Chamharouch, for hikers, is above all an unexpected stopover for a good lunch break or to cool off and watch the curious spectacle of people in processions.
Last stage of the first day of the Toubkal hike and about 4 hours walking from the famous summit. Two accommodation are available here:
Refuge du Toubkal
Refuge Toubkal Les Mouflons
Built by the French Alpine Club of Casablanca (CAC) in 1938. A basic hideaway at the very reasonable price of 15 euros a night. The infrastructure is rudimentary but comfortable and clean. You can take a shower and have dinner there, to sleep a few hours before strating the climb to the summit very early in the morning.
The second refuge of Toubkal, built only a few years ago. It cost 28 euros a night to sleep in this refuge with dinner and breakfast included but it's not our recommended choice, as it is less popular with hikers for reasons of hospitality, cleanliness, and maintenance.
Both must be booked in advance. Some choose to spend the night in a bivouac next to the refugees, but it is not the most comfortable option before making your way up to the summit on the second day.
The alarm goes off at 4 a.m. to prepare for the summit. A hearty breakfast to give yourself a good boost of energy and the hikers are already setting off on Nature trails in the dark.
Mount Toubkal 4167m, the highest peak in North Africa
This is the time when you need a guide the most. In the dark, even in the light of the flashlight, the path is not easily identifiable. It is a zigzag path, with an increasingly steep rise as you approach the summit. The ascent itself is not technically difficult but you have to take short breaks to acclimatize to the altitude.
After 4 hours of walking on average, we finally reach the highest peak in North Africa. A magical moment when you brush against the clouds while admiring the splendor of the Atlas Mountain range.
The euphoria of success shouldn't make you forget the most important thing: your safety, so beware of strong winds and do not venture too close to the cliff.
There is more to Toubkal than the summit of course, with the High Atlas proffering many other trekking trails. You can take a longer trekking holiday in the Atlas to discover natural heritage beauties such as the juniper forest of the Azzaden Valley, Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass at 2,500m, the slippery scree slopes of Kissaria Gorge and other peaks such as Yagour on its eponymous plateau between 2,300 and 2,700m. Or the two-for-one peaks of Mount Ouanoukrim which some trips include with Toubkal summits.
This is probably the most difficult part of the ascent of Toubkal.
The descent in summer as in winter can present risks, in summer it is rocky, steep, and slippery terrain. As for winter, snow can sometimes hide large crevasses, so make sure to descend slowly, paying attention to where you put your feet.
Keep in mind that the most important is not to reach the summit, but to come down safely!
8 hours on average is what it takes to climb to the summit of Toubkal and come back down. Start the ascent very early to avoid the strong winds that blow up in the morning at the summit and descend without suffering too much from the powerful sun.
Mount Toubkal, a beautiful trekking peak involving no climbing
Now is the time to take a long, well-deserved rest break after the feat. Plan to have lunch there (early!) To regain your strength before starting the second part of the way back.
The return to Imlil will be on the same path as the alley. This time the walk is faster because it is downhill. You have to make arrangements to get to Imlil before nightfall anyway. It takes more than 12 hours of sustained walking between the ascent of the summit and the return to Imlil..
The second day is a very long day of walking and it is celebrated well with another night in Imlil or a glorious return to Marrakech. You can get a hotel and hammam in Marrakech when you come back down. Most trips organized by travel companies include a transfer back to the red city that bombards all the senses.
Toubkal Mountains
Although the ascent of Toubkal is not technically a difficult adventure, it still is tough trekking. You need to be fit and in good physical condition, this is by no means an ascent to do as a first hike. In the months and weeks before the ascent, consider getting in training and taking several short hikes to prepare your body, it will be worth it.
For people new to trekking at high elevations, the best time to climb Mount Toubkal is during:
The spring months of Apr-May, when wildflowers do finally emerge from the landscape that has been frozen through winter. It’s hard to predict the spring here though, with poppies known to appear as early as February and blankets of pink and purple scabiosa springing up around April or May.
The spring months of Apr-May, when wildflowers do finally emerge from the landscape that has been frozen through winter. It’s hard to predict the spring here though, with poppies known to appear as early as February and blankets of pink and purple scabiosa springing up around April or May.
Mount Toubkal
If you are trekking during Ramadan, please respect the cultural rules around feasting and fasting and remember that your porters and guides will be doing so. For the next few years Ramadan falls in April and May, and then Mars and February.
In June, July and August you will be hit by the heat when arriving in Marrakech, which can be in the high 40°Cs. The temperature will be a good 10°C cooler in the mountains. But It is better to avoid summer when there are rainstorms.
When it comes to winter you can climb Toubkal at Christmas in late December, or January if you want to start the New Year with an exciting challenge but this is also something better to avoid due to the heavy snowfall.
If you still want to climb Toubkal in winter, keep in mind that the north facing slopes of Toubkal will be worse when it comes to snow and ice. Even though the south face may be clear by the end of March, the north could still have coverage into May. Snow starts to cover the slopes again in October or November.
Here are some health essentials that we recommend you bring in your luggage. Even if it puts a bit of a strain on your weight / baggage limit, it's still useful. Prevention also remains very important.
Several agencies, associations of hikers, and mountanineers often organize excursions to Toubkal National Park and climb to the top. This can be a very good option for an ascent when you are a novice hiker. This will allow you to get the necessary supervision, organization, and security measures, all you need here is to walk to reach the top.
Before opting for a professional offer for the ascent of Toubkal, make sure of the following points:
The chosen itinerary, details of accommodation and transport.
The professionalism of the accompanying guide.
The security and emergency measures planned in the event of a problem.
