Hiking in the Atlas: routes and tips to get started

The High Atlas crosses Morocco from south-west to north-east and offers landscapes very different from the cities: green valleys, mud-brick villages and peaks above four thousand metres.

Routes for every level

From Imlil, less than two hours from Marrakech, easy walks lead between villages and terraced fields, and so does the ascent of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, which needs good fitness and usually two days.

Practical tips

• Walk with a local mountain guide, especially on long or high routes.

• Wear broken-in hiking boots and layered clothing.

• There can be snow in winter: check the conditions beforehand.

• Respect village life and ask before photographing people.

When to go

Spring and autumn are ideal for walking. Summer is hot in the lower areas, though more pleasant at altitude; in winter the high mountains require winter equipment and experience.

Keep reading

• High Atlas

• Road of a thousand kasbahs

• The kasbahs of southern Morocco