In the High Atlas Mountains, this trek is a special experience. The Mount Toubkal circuit is a six-day hike. It is not easy. The path includes steep mountain passes, campsites in remote places, and the climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal.
This six-day circuit also gives you nice views and a chance to learn about Berber life. As you walk through villages, you will see locals working with their animals and farming on steep fields.
From the first day, you are fully involved in everyday Berber life. This hike needs early starts and long walking days, moving from one camp to the next each day.
The reward comes with great photo spots, especially at the top of Jebel Toubkal (4,167m). After a long day of hiking, you can swim in Lake Ifni (2,295m) or enjoy a cup of mint tea at a small café.
We leave Marrakech after breakfast and drive to Imlil through Asni. Most hikes begin in Imlil, a busy mountain town full of hikers coming and going.
We meet our mule team and begin our walk across the valley to Tacheddirt. The trail starts to climb as we head for the Tizi n’Tamatert Pass (2,279m). Then we walk down to the small village of Ouaneskra and continue to Tacheddirt (2,300m).
We usually camp near the river.
We begin the day by crossing the valley and climbing up to Tizi Likemt Pass (3,555m). The path is steep and full of loose stones. After reaching the top, we enjoy our first view of the Toubkal range. We then descend to Azib Likemt and camp for the night. The total walk takes around six hours.
The third day is long but not too hard. We pass through changing scenery and climb to Tizi n’Ououraine (3,120m). From here, we can see Toubkal’s peak, east face, and the Ifni Dome. We then reach Amsouzert, one of the nicest villages in the area. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse.
On the next day, we walk west of Amsouzert, passing small villages until we arrive at Lake Ifni. This is the only lake in the mountain range. It is surrounded by high cliffs and large rock piles.
We plan to reach by lunchtime and rest by the water for the afternoon. We camp at the lake for the night.
By now, we should be used to the altitude and ready for the hardest part of the trek. We start climbing a rocky trail that leads to a steep scree slope.
Eventually, we reach Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,664m), a narrow path between tall rock walls. We then go down in zigzags and stay overnight at Nelter Hut or camp nearby.
On the final day, we wake up early and hike up to the summit of Mount Toubkal. The trail is well-worn, and if the weather is good, we reach the top in about two to three hours. From there, we can see the plains beyond Marrakech and the whole Atlas mountain range.
We return by the same path and pass through the villages of Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd. We follow the Mizane River through forested paths back to Imlil. If you are staying in Marrakech, you will be driven there after the hike. This ends the Mount Toubkal circuit.
Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil – Tacheddirt
After breakfast, we drive from Marrakech to Imlil via Asni. Imlil is a busy town where most hikes start. After meeting our mule team and loading our gear, we walk around 8 km along the valley toward Tacheddirt.
The path climbs to the Tizi n’Tamatert Pass (2,279m), then we walk to Ouaneskra village and continue for about 30 more minutes to Tacheddirt (2,300m), where we camp near the river.
Day 2: Tacheddirt – Tizi n’Likemt (3,550m) – Azib n’Likemt (2,250m)
After breakfast, we climb to Tizi n’Likemt Pass. The climb takes about three and a half hours. At the top, we rest and enjoy the mountain views.
We then go down quickly, stop for lunch, and continue walking for another hour to camp at Azib n’Likemt.
We often meet shepherds with flocks of sheep and goats. The walk takes around six hours.
Day 3: Azib n’Likemt – Amsouzart (1,740m)
We leave the high pastures and hike to the top of Tizi n’Ourai (3,109m). We descend into the Tinzar valley, where we stop for lunch and enjoy views of traditional Berber homes.
We cross the High Atlas and arrive on the southern side. We stay overnight in a Berber house.
Day 4: Amsouzart – Imhilene – Lake Ifni (2,295m)
We walk through the valley of Islani, passing villages like Ibrouane and Tisgouane Takatert. We reach Lake Ifni, which sits below the hills of Mount Toubkal. We spend the evening beside the lake.
Day 5: Lake Ifni – Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,670m) – Nelter Refuge (3,207m)
We begin the day with a slow climb to the Ouanoums Pass. From there, we enjoy views of several other high peaks. We then go down to the Nelter Refuge and sleep in tents near the shelter.
Day 6: Nelter Refuge – Summit of Toubkal (4,167m) – Imlil – Marrakech
We start early and climb to the top of Toubkal. From the summit, we see the valleys and nearby mountains. After lunch at the refuge, we walk down to Imlil and drive back to Marrakech.
