Hiking in Morocco is an unforgettable adventure that reveals the country’s breathtaking landscapes and fascinating history. With so many options available, it’s no wonder that thousands of hikers visit Morocco each year. Morocco is a multi-faceted country rich in history, culture and scenery. It has the snow-capped peaks of the tallest mountains in North Africa, rolling sand dunes, lush rivers and valleys, and the beautiful Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Yet unlike its neighbors to the north and south, it is still relatively undiscovered by the hiking masses. Though popular trails can get busy during peak season, it is easy to find solitude in Morocco. With such diverse scenery and climate, Morocco offers many types of trekking, ranging from the simple day hikes to challenging technical treks. The amazing diversity in Morocco offers something for everyone from short day hikes to multi-day treks. Whether you are trekking in the cities using the traditional caravan routes or camel trekking in the Sahara desert for nights under the stars, Morocco will surely captivate.
2. The Atlas Mountains Trek
2.1. Overview of the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are the great barrier between the coast and the desert of southern Morocco, a most certainly magical collection of valleys crossed by bridges of golden-brown rock, with peaks exceeded 2000 m littered with almond and walnut trees, and scattered with white Berber villages surrounded by terraces created by men centuries ago from the stone of the mountains. The mountains are a somewhat paradisiacal region, crisscrossed with countless trails that lead to shepherds’ huts and deserted valleys, not far from towns and cities but so different from them. Happy is the traveler who takes time to wander in these most beautiful valleys in the world; he will be forever grateful for the welcome of the Berbers, those mountain men who make these lands so rich in colors and sounds even richer in the words of their songs.
Hiking in the Atlas Mountains is simply great and can be done all year round. The preferred period for the trek is from March to mid-May or from late September to early November. Different landscapes, friendly Berbers, authentic gorges, and paths that twist and turn for kilometers; the air is cool and pure, the valleys flower around May, and it is more pleasant. However, summer heats may be present over the city and valleys. The passes remain more or less impracticable until mid-May; the best season is undoubtedly summer when most of the passes are accessible and the southern valleys are devoid of snow and inhabited. An ascent of Mount Toubkal or a trip in the middle of the Massif can be done in July, August, but the heat is usually intense in the lower valleys; this is also the busiest season.
2.1. Overview of the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are one of the most divine mountain ranges to hike in the world. Situated in North Africa and completely distinct from the European continent. The most interesting thing concerning the Atlas Mountain Range is the fact that this mountain range stretches for several kilometers and crosses over three different countries. Starting from the Southern parts of Morocco, crossing Western Algeria down to Tunisia, where they finally end. The Atlas Mountains are made by several ranges that exceed or reach the altitude of 4,000 meters. The Peak of Toubkal is the highest point to reach in the Atlas Massif at an altitude of 4,167 meters.
When you look at the maps, you may see that the Atlas Mountains surround, as a crescent shape, the Sahara Desert from its Northern influences. Their presence and proximity to the Sahara Desert make them one of the best places to take an adventure in. Encapsulating unique and very diverse nature deposits hidden behind their pink cliffs. From the dense Cedar forests on the sides to the rocky peaks far behind, passing through the colorful Berber villages and traditional growing lodges closer to the valleys. The influence of the African continent as a whole is to be seen around the Atlas Mountain Range. Protecting different species of wild animals from the complete denaturalization of the human activities carried on in the other parts of Morocco or neighboring countries.
The Atlas Mountains are formed of several different high plateaus on its peaks as well as several different valleys like the Tinghir Oasis Valley, the Tessaout Valley, The Oukaimeden Valley, and the Ziz Valley. Hidden in these valleys or plain areas along the Atlas Mountains are the different Berber villages. The Berbers are the local tribes of Morocco and they depend over several centuries on the culture of seeds and legumes that they grow along the rivers. Holing around mint tea and sitting down talking with family and friends in front of their old caravans to avoid the heat of the Sun during the day.
2.2. Toubkal Mountain Hike
Generally recognized for its amazing scenery, Toubkal National Park is a well-known area in Morocco for trekking enthusiasts. Additionally, the highest mountain in North Africa, Toubkal, welcomes thousands of trekkers from all around the world. Because of its closeness to the neighboring villages, this is an excellent location for first-time trekkers and those looking for a couple of more days of trekking. How to prepare for the hiking tour? The Toubkal day hike is physically demanding although it does not require technical skills, sufficient fitness as well as hiking experience is needed. You have to spend around six to nine walking hours in steep paths, and sometimes scrambling a bit especially on the last ascent. At final meters, you will walk over loose gravel and the snow can be an obstacle in some winter months as well. During the hike, the main difficulty is altitude acclimatization; after some exertion, the last ascent can be very exhausting. In order to get used to the altitude, we do not plan Toubkal tours in travel packages with sudden ascent from Marrakech but adjust them to the acclimatization reaction. Please note that there are many companies in town that offer the trekking tours for lower prices. However, we want you to understand that we haven’t worked with any of them and cannot vouch for them. We highly recommend using experienced Mountain Guides who know the area and have the appropriate equipment for Toubkal mountain hiking.
2.3. Saghrou Hike
Located just on the edge of the Sahara Desert, Saghrou offers the romanticism of being off the beaten path without stepping too far away from the comforts of civilization. Tucked away in the region of the Dades Valley, this scenic trek will take you through calm Berber villages that have simple but beautiful adobe houses, and hand-built irrigation canals that have been passed down for hundreds of generations. You’ll hike through the valley of roses, catch a glimpse of local women working together in the gardens of flowers that are dried and harvested during the spring, to later be turned into rose water, and spend nights in the remote families’ homes while sharing stories and meals. All the while, surrounded by dizzying mountains and learning about a culture that is a fastly disappearing way of life. You will meet colorful rock formations, canyons, and dry lakes before you hit the trailheads of the Lower Atlas Mountains in Mgoun. At this point, you’ll come back to the local villages of nomadic settlements and talk to the nomads living in the tents who are herding their goats. These local people have no sad faces, but bright smiles with little sound of teeth, as they are clenching on the dried goat milk balls they have been chewing on for generations. This trek can be hiked all year around. In the summer, escaping to the cool mountains away from the heat of the coast or town, and in the winter months, experiencing a snowy itinerary that is rarely explored, as many tours do not operate in Morocco in winter. Only the locals – who have transcended the landscape – will accompany you, becoming your true guide and demonstrating the secrets of the land they have known since childhood.
2.4. Best Hiking in Roses Valley
Roses Valley is more popular for the nearby city of Skoura and the oasis hidden behind the palm trees than for its own palm trees! To come back from or to go to the Dades or Toudra Valley crossing the valley of the Roses Valley or past the palm grove is an interesting alternative.
Roses Valley is the capital of the Moroccan roses. For most first-time visitors, the location of Roses Valley is not an original destination to visit. One reason could be that it is near the Moroccan Nakheel, let’s say, Berber merchant that crosses the road between Skoura and Boumalne Dades or Toudra. But if we take a little time to tread the paths inside to the palm grove and associated small oases. Alternatively discover Berber houses softening at the foot of the mountain, and it will soon be endowed with charm and a particular cachet. Despite this, the Valley of Roses is still not a tourist trap. Consequently, you will enjoy falling on the valley paths Berber encounter men or women working in the fields or some children who will greet you with great area.
The Roses Valley offers a variety of shorter walks and hikes. Roses Valley of the valley, following the creek that flows down, Tower ogive-like cliff called the “cathedral” à Dnear Kellat Mgouna. you can go to the berber village of Zaouit Ahanassoune which rotates Mount Boutchanni and down on the village of El Bouguedour.
2.5. Experience the Hike in Mgoun
Cresting at 4068m, Mgoun is the second-highest mountain in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, also known for hosting one of the few long-distance footpaths in Morocco. The Mgoun Traverse is a fabulous trek, traversing this wild part of Morocco on a mix of old mule paths, bright red rock, and majestic Berber villages. The Mgoun Valley is the gateway to the Mgoun massif and is the region surrounding the M’goun or M’Goun peak in Central Morocco. The M’goun valley is the most picturesque valley of the whole region. The M’goun valley has retained much of its authenticity and historic character that draws travelers from around the globe. The M’Goun is also a unique mountain because of its traditional Berber villages of limestone and clay. The best time for walking in the M’Goun is spring and fall when the weather is generally pleasant. The summer months can be very hot, and the water sources are mostly dry in the desert plain. Winter is cold; the mountains’ high altitude are generally under snow. We offer you 5-6 days of exploring the Mgoun valley and some more time for a hike on the M’Goun mountain. We belong to the Berber culture of the Middle Atlas region, and we are eager to show you the diversity of this unique area. All tours are designed with a particular emphasis on small groups. You will be spending time with the Berber people and enjoy delicious homemade food. The climate is mild, and the Berber houses are welcoming! We also organize tours of 3, 4, or 5 days depending on your situation and the time of year. Together, we will define the itinerary and the duration of the hike according to your desires! Join us with a small group for an adventure in the Mgoun Valley, and discover your dreams!
2.6. Touda Gorges Hike
Found northeast of the Jbel Aklim lies a hidden departure city for hiking in the charming valley of the Gorges de Touda, called Bougmez. Accessible only in the summer season, the route is truly worth the detour. From the village of Bougmez, 10 or 15 min walk away, enjoying the view of Jbel Aklim in front of you, one can admire both the apple fields of the village as well as the panoramic view of the adjacent valley and the Berber villages nestling on the north slope of Jbel Aklim. After a short ascent via a herd path that climbs through the apple trees, the trail descends to the gorge, which is so narrow that one can sometimes touch the cliffs with both hands. After 3 to 4 min, we arrive at a part where the gorges become wider. From the gorge exit, we follow its wide bed until its bifurcation, 10 minutes away, but we will have the choice to climb the right bank cliff to reach the top of the right gorge. An incredible panorama can be enjoyed up there, where the gorges are so narrow that they are hardly seen. For a hike of about twenty kilometers, it is necessary to reach the top of the right gorge skirt to admire the final gorge. This trek leads us along the gorges via the north and south back walls before dismounting. The exit of the gorges located 800 m from their bifurcation allows us to climb the cliffs of the other side to have even more beautiful and panoramic views of the narrow gorge and the two valleys which join above. It is a natural trek that takes us to discover the beautiful gorges as well as the village surprises dotted along the valleys.
3. Hiking Seasons in Morocco
Hiking in Morocco is not limited to summer, as it is not the best season to hike in Morocco. Depending on the region, the best time to hike in Morocco varies. The best season to hike in the mountains is in spring and autumn. In these two seasons, the weather is pleasantly warm, there are flowers blooming in the valleys, and the heat in the drier areas is bearable for trekking. Around mid-May, the temperature begins to rise to above 30 degrees Celsius, and hiking and trekking in the Sahara desert area becomes extremely hot. It is still the best season for hiking in the Atlas Mountains, as the beautiful flowers bloom in the valleys, and the summer high altitude trek routes are mostly snow-free. In summer, the arrival of the dry season makes the desert region from Merzouga to Mhamid ideal for trekking since you will not be bothered by heat. Only the temperatures on the coast are pleasantly warm.
Because the climate varies considerably from Mediterranean, Oceanic, Continental, to Inland from Morocco, some regions are ideal for hiking at specific times of the year while others are not. In winter, only the coast is worth visiting, while the rest of the regions are either very cold or unfeasible. Clear blue sky, poorly marked trails, and friendly welcoming Berbers in the villages are among the advantages of winter trekking. However, you must plan your routes to avoid temperatures below zero in the mountains since winter temperatures in the Atlas and Saharan regions may be quite low.
3.1. Best Season to Hike in Morocco
Hiking in Morocco is a year-round activity given the country’s diverse landscape. Each mountain range has its own specific microclimate. The best season to hike in Morocco varies depending on the area and activities of interest. The Moroccan winter is from November to March. It’s a cold season, especially in the mountains, and snow covers the High Atlas and the Rif Mountains. Trekking in winter in the Sahara is pleasant, but nights are cold. Adventure tourism is at its lowest. Spring, from late March to late May, is one of the best times to hike in Morocco. There’s still some snow at high altitudes in the High Atlas. However, waterfalls are full of melted snow and flowers bloom in valleys and plains. You can hike the Moroccan trekking circuits in moderate weather. Southern Moroccan trails and the desert are also great options in spring for mild temperatures. Summer is the high season for tourists in Morocco. Countries from all over the globe, primarily from Europe, arrive in larger numbers. It’s also the hottest season in the country. The high valley areas, Upper Atlas, and desert are very hot with the heat around 37ºC. Therefore, avoid hiking southern trails and those that go through big cities. Unless you are well acquainted with the local summer climate, the Moroccan summer isn’t the best time to hike in the Sahara and desert regions. To avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke, plan short hikes with enough water intake at cooler times of the day. The trek from Merzouga to Kaabar Ziz in the Moroccan desert can also be done in the summer.
3.2. Weather Considerations
Due to its mountainous nature and the different geographical regions, Morocco has vastly different climates. Year-round sunny and warm, the coastal areas and plains have moderate temperatures in winter. The Middle and High Atlas have a typical Mediterranean climate, with humid winters that are mild at low altitudes but cold and snowy at higher levels. The valleys, which isolate many Berber communities, have a microclimate which allows plentiful agriculture. In winter, the snow rains at high altitudes allow for the development of ski stations that the locals frequent, and the snows from the Atlas supply, thanks to the numerous rivers, the great peripheral ports in summer. The Sahara has a desert climate, with winter temperatures reasonable only in the north. In summer, temperatures of 50° during the day and 5° at night are the rule. The southern piedmont, including the Tafilalet, has a similar climate, although milder and more humid, which allows the cultivation of figs and almonds.
From June to mid-September, a hot but dry period lasts in the plains and plateaus. From mid-June to mid-August, a stifling heat affects the region south of the High Atlas, while the winds from the sea allow a fresher climate near the coast. The northern peri-Atlas has a Mediterranean climate characterized by a dry summer. From mid-September, the rains become more frequent again in the north, and in August and September, those in the southern Sahara allow for the development of bushy vegetation, while from October, the snow appears on the peaks of the Atlas, which only disappears at the latest in May.
4. Preparation for Hiking in Morocco
4.1. Tips Before Any Hike
Morocco is a country of mountains and deserts. It is vast and wild, with areas far from the impact of mass tourism. The people are welcoming and the palaces, kasbahs, and bazaars are fascinating. Trekking in Morocco is a real adventure, and depending on the region you choose, you will have the opportunity to encounter unexpected and varied landscapes. So, whether you are a seasoned trekker who already carries a pack on their back or a wanderer on a short trip who wishes to mark a halt to their exploration, there is something for everyone in hiking in Morocco. The atmosphere can offer you many exchanges, but it must not make you forget to respect some basic rules. In order to help you prepare your departure in good conditions, we provide you tips before any hike, such as talking to locals, checking the weather before hiking, being aware of the altitudes, and warning others of your route and of your choices since hiking in Morocco is a different experience that you should not keep for yourself.
4.2. What to Avoid During My Hike
Moroccan mountains are not dangerous. It is rare for a hiker, or any other user of these mountains – shepherd, mule driver, to make a misstep that can cost his life. We are reminded of it far too often, in slogans stickered on the panels of all the summits of the world: a mountain is an area where constantly changing climatic and weather conditions can disturb all the plans. A mountain is an area with a lot of accidents. It is natural to be curious and not certainly not to come back to observe from afar what could appear ludicrous, given this aspect of a coat of pearl in mid-gray, an offered toast, a step to resume bear bears buried at the bottom of a mound of ruins. But hiking in Morocco is also dying of prolonged hypothermia because of the lack of the slightest jacket.
4.3. What to Bring for My Hike
Also, you will inevitably have to consider your travel budget. Indeed, Morocco is a country where everything is selectable and negotiable. Mountains are called on the Berber dialect. Walk with respect for yourself and truly know how to do an act of sharing. Those who have had the rare chance to live a hike in Southern Morocco talk to us about unexpected encounters and conversations around a glass of tea in the shade of a courtyard located in the heart of a kasbah. And that to be generalized! Either way, whatever the course of your trek, you will not come back without new memories! Once you have taken all this information into account, it is necessary to think about the physical preparation. During the treks, reserve a few days for acclimatization.
4.1. Tips Before Any Hike
The first tip seems obvious, however many people arrive unprepared. To hike is to walk. Regardless of where it is, hiking can be exhausting. If you don’t hike at home, don’t come to Morocco and think you can hike 20 kms at a high elevation without suffering. Train. Go for long walks in your neighbourhood on the weekends, or after work. Add weight to your backpack to simulate the hike as best as possible. If there are any hills or mountains near you, do your training there. We also recommend doing this training for at least 3 weeks.
Another tip: think about your hiking speed. Many people walk much faster than they think they do. If you are hiking with a guide, you should be walking at the speed of the slowest member of the team – which should in turn be you. Most of the time you are finishing the hike after a long day, your body is tired and your mind is not very open for magic – and that’s a pity. So, keep this in mind and don’t be shy about telling your guide you want to take things slow.
When thinking of sneakers… If you are going to go for a leisurely walk in a city, a weekend hike, or hike in Europe or North America, then any comfortable shoes you have will do. In Morocco however, it’s a different story. You will be hiking in the mountains. The sun shines bright, the temperature varies (you can hike in a short-sleeved shirt, but wear a sweater if you start early in the morning), the path is rocky, dry and you will most likely be hiking upwards. You will be hiking every day, and if you are not being careful, you will most likely be doing it for many hours. You have to be careful.
4.2. What to Avoid During My Hike
When you see beautiful images of Morocco, it may be difficult to imagine anything bad about it. However, every country also has its pitfalls. During your hikes or your trek in Morocco, it is best to have a travelling spirit, and to keep in mind some useful tips. You will be able to discover the Land of the Berbers in all serenity.
1. Avoid wandering around with your smartphone Although Moroccans are used to seeing tourists with their smartphones, avoiding inappropriate use is advised. It is possible to take pictures of people when they are in the street because visual documentation is a great way of illustrating our travels. It is primitive and completely unattractive to wander for hours glued to our smartphone, constantly checking our social networks. It is called stalking. Not only would we be spying on the people, but we also may never be able to immerse ourselves in the Magic of Morocco well enough to allow it to warm our souls. Everything is about balance and moderation.
2. Avoid wearing inappropriate clothing Even though Moroccan people are no longer surprised when they see women in inappropriate clothing, it is still not custom to wander shirtless or with excessive and provocative clothing. It is important to remember that Morocco is not only a tourist country. It is also a country with rich cultural and religious traditions that attract our interest. It is not necessary to adopt a style completely different from what you normally wear, but be respectful of what is appropriate. No shorts, or fine straps or crop tops. It is appropriate to dress soberly and discretely.
3. Avoid giving money You will certainly receive requests for money in lots of places, including in the mountains or the deserts. The response of lots of trekkers is to give money, which can lead to increasing these requests, or even, to someone associating this act with a valid excuse to beg. Rather than money, consider providing school supplies, such as pens, or old clothes. It is much more useful!
4.3. What to Bring for My Hike
When preparing to venture on Morocco’s numerous hiking options, it is crucial to pack appropriately as you may encounter remote trails, harsh weather conditions, and cultural differences in certain regions. Regardless of the hike’s length or difficulty, you want to be self-sufficient and comfortable while still embracing the experience of the hike and the beauty of Morocco’s stunning landscapes. Fortunately, many hotels and traditional guesthouses offer rental services to help ease the expenses for those undertaking short or infrequent hikes.
Regardless of the items you should be packing for every hike, there are two essentials you do not want to overlook when it comes to hiking. The first, a high-quality backpack, will help you efficiently carry everything you need and reduce fatigue on longer hikes. The backpack must be durable, with waterproofing to shield from the elements, a comfortable waist strap for larger loads, and adequate padding for the shoulder straps and back. Offset pack weight by carefully selecting your hiking gear and food while also taking advantage of available rental services. Secondly, a good pair of mountaineering boots can make the hike – providing the necessary support and traction during strenuous hikes over long distances. Finally, boots in waterproof or water-resistant material will come in handy when crossing streams and rivers. Additionally, you might get your feet wet when crossing the snowy mountain range in the winter, which may be especially common for amateur mountaineering routes if you are abiding by the weather forecast and local advice and travel during the right months.
5. Guided Hiking Tours in Morocco
Morocco could be considered a hiker’s paradise, and with guides, it is even more adventurous and rewarding. Whether it’s trekking through its high mountains, sampling the dunes of its desert, and discovering its hidden valleys, or simply hiking along its coastline, guided tours are perfect for travelers eager to have a complete and insider’s experience. With all that, traveling alone on long, strenuous hikes may not be everyone’s cup of mint tea. Luckily, there are plenty of qualified guides out there who will take the hassle out of logistics while enhancing the experience. Although Marta and I did some breathtaking hikes on our own, I do wish we’d taken the time and effort to schedule a guided tour along some of our Moroccan paths. That’s the one aspect I sure missed in our description of our itinerary as I had no direct experience of any guided hikes, not to mention I couldn’t write conclusions based on it either.
For an easy and educational path along the hikable bits of Morocco, check out. They bring many years of guiding innovations based on input from their customers, innovation that includes creating new itineraries to respond to the increasing requests for literacy and culture trips in Morocco. They’ll take you inside a Berber family to explore their way of life, making bread in the traditional way, sleeping and eating in their authentic local house. They are interested in all people the world is made of and will be able to offer you a trip that meets your needs for subjects of primary school, adult literacy, artist groups, or just curiosity about culture exchanges.
With experience since 1993 in trekking all around Morocco, and expertise working as outdoor educators in Scotland, they were the first local operator exploring alternative styles. They explored alternative styles in Ethiopia and also pioneered the use of manned camping in Norway. They have now focused in Morocco because they believe the shooting, the unexpected, and the “tell me about this” can make a journey unique and special, staying near to the secrets of creativity.
5.1. Expert Guided Hiking Tours
Hiking in a new country without local guidance can lead to unexpected challenges. Fortunately, there are expert guides for hire in Morocco to help ensure travelers stay safe and informed about the environments they trek through. While independent hiking is an extremely rewarding experience that tourists should partake in, there are numerous benefits to hiking with a guide. It allows for longer and more technically challenging trails, as well as better access to more obscure areas, hidden trails, and special locales that may not be listed in guide books. It also provides insight into the cultures, customs, and daily lives of those living in the area through which one may hike.
Many rural villages in Morocco depend on tourism for income and support local families. In recent years, organized tour companies have hired local guides, which has put a strain on the amount of tourists opting for individually hired guides. When hiring a guide, it is very important to ensure that they are local and preferably certified by their local association, as opposed to one of the larger companies. An organized tour with the use of a flashpacking-style method ensures that the money used for the hike goes directly to the people of the village. Flashpacking means traveling with some of the amenities found in hotels, and having a comfortable transportation method like mules or yaks to move luggage on difficult treks. There are companies who hire local association guides and include some flashpacking amenities, though most do not provide this option. Hiring a local guide directly will yield a more personal experience but will require more work on the part of the traveler to organize and plan. For both models, ensure the group is led by a qualified mountain guide on technical treks and hikes.
5.2. Touareg Trails Overview
Below is a selection of trails explored for groups, but these excursions can, of course, be organized for individual or small parties. Walking-tour support is provided by experienced local guides and a camel caravan carrying the material for camping and preparing meals. These trails are a pleasant completely exotic way of discovering this part of Morocco at the rhythm of a camel and near a felted entourage. This whole region is visited around by all the Berber mountain people who use camels for their commercial exchanges with the Saharan nomads.
The long-distance Touareg footpaths, the way of the Touareg, every year, lift the curious to find again, the silence, the stars, to sleep in the place of an overturned tent, and to dream about old times. Torn off the noise of the motor cars and the pneumatic drilling in cement, this way into the wild transports you to another world. Lonely valleys, the Infinity of the sky, the embankments and back of the limestone rock sculpted by the weather, the passion of Michèle and Old to show their untouched region, to communicate their knowledge of a life stripped of frills, full of the beauty of sunset on the sand and a moonlight night on the web of stones.
Roughly, these trails developed from Jbel Sarhro are interesting in their diversity: down the valley, long, salty emaciated valleys bordered by Karstic cliffs, little frequented oasis planted with palms, extensive plateaus of basalt littered with zigzags of lava, moribund foots of dunes, large massifs dressed with a fantastic petrified forest, Colombian types, the great circus buried by the sand, hot pepper, hanged on grand rocks, shrub at its feet. It is a marvelous space where the sudden, low colors – rubies, vermilions, lapis lazuli, sapphire – create enchantment.
6. Hiking Difficulty Levels in Morocco
Most of the hikes in Morocco are easy to moderately strenuous. Hikes may range from well-trodden and wide paths along green valleys and riverbeds to narrow trails up rocky slopes, through scree or over boulders – but without any official grading system, it’s hard to judge the difficulty of individual routes. The grading difficulty below is based on trail conditions, overall physical demand and altitude difference. Just because you are fit does not mean you will find a particular hike easy – altitude sickness in over 4000 meters can spoil the best of plans. Please keep that in mind when contemplating your hike. Beginner: Suitable for everyone, including families with small children. Strollers or small kids on backs or shoulders (in carriers) are fine. These trails can be done with cross-trainers or low-top hiking shoes. Easy: Short and less strenuous trails, suitable for the fit inexperienced hiker. Good health is needed, with previous hill walking an asset. Trails may contain some steep inclines. These trails can be done with cross-trainers, low-top hiking shoes or light boots. Moderate: Suitable for the average hiker who is accustomed to walking in the hills, or the fit holiday-maker who doesn’t do much hiking. Paths may be poorly defined. Some scrambling or brief exposure may be necessary. Probably no snow, but sometimes in other seasons the track may be very wet. Hiking shoes or low-top boots are recommended. Strenuous: Recommended only for the fit hiker who is used to long walks on mountain paths. Hiking boots are essential. Hikes marked as strenuous may involve altitude slack, scree and may occasionally entail the use of hands, with some long climbs, some of them steep and tiring. In some seasons snow or ice may still be lying on the high passes. Rotting snow can impede routes and river crossings may be difficult – but not impossible.
6.1. What is the Hike Level?
When it comes to Hiking Adventures in Morocco, we’re here to help you decide which hikes are best for you and which ones are best left to the expert climbers. Our hikes are graded in five levels to help guide your choice for personal enjoyment and fulfillment. Understanding the grading is pretty simple: if you choose a hike with a comfort rating of “easy” – then it easily falls within your comfort zone. You have the most choices at this level – we have both shorter hikes and longer ones that are taken at a slower pace. If you’re reading this – chances are you’re considering a hike that is rated as “more difficult” or “expert”. This isn’t to say that older teens and responsible youthful adventurers shouldn’t attempt them – but you should have the right state of mind for making arrangements – because they can review the guides when they are booking and let you know if you should go for your first or tenth trek. Some families hike as their first ever trek and some face challenges on their tenth trek. That’s the beauty of the trekking experience. These difficulty levels do help narrow things down – but they shouldn’t necessarily define your trek choice. Hiking is about immersing yourself in the journey and culture – and summitting a peak or trudging through snow isn’t your first concern. Our suggestions of difficulty levels help point you to the direction of treks that would technically be easiest for your personal stage of life – and may be your best choice for a short holiday – but they shouldn’t alone ever decide your trek choice. Choose the trek that best connects you with the people and culture. We consult with you before each trek to finalize which one you will embark on. All animals and trekking equipment are prepared by local based companies who know the area and terrain intimately.
6.2. Family-Friendly Hiking Options
Hiking with children can pose challenges, especially on hikes that require stamina or physical strength. Yet, if timed carefully during the best weather conditions, hiking with older kids can be a really fun way to experience Morocco’s stunning scenery and magnificent nature. Besides, teens and camping kids are more than welcome in Morocco’s vast forests and mountains. Here we present eight hikes suitable for families with children who can walk on their own. Families traveling to Morocco with children aged 4-10 may want to stick to very easy hiking options. The perfect place to go for such short hikes is the Cedar Forest of Michlifen near Ifrane. Although there are nice similar spots in other Moroccan areas, Ifrane is certainly the most convenient destination for foreign families with young children, as it is the most developed touristic place for frequent weekend getaways. The part of the Michlifen ski resort that is best suited for families with young kids is the Moroccan and the Michlifen tourist areas. Both are quite far from the ski slopes and their related activities and easily accessible from the main square of Ifrane by foot or car: Michlifen is about 1.5 km away, passing next to the renowned Michlifen luxury hotel. The Michlifen Ski Resort offers beautiful views of the city and Lake Dayet Aoua and easy access to the Michlifen ski center, as well as several shorter slopes near the ski lifts.
6.3. Expert Hiking Challenges
The trekking world is full of possibilities and Morocco offers all variety from relaxed and family-friendly to strenuous and expert. None of the ultra strenuous, high elevation treks are located just anywhere in Morocco; they can all be reasonably found in the Toubkal Massif, which includes Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and the surrounding peaks, gorges to get you into them and valleys to connect them. If you want views, Toubkal, Tinighdou and Ouanoukrim have great ones. If you want tough and or technical trekking without the views, quite a lot of options abound in or around the Cirque du Jdid, Azzadene Valley or possibly the large valley between Addar and Ikaoun.
These Lot Higher in Elevation and Much Tougher Options go from technical to very technical, with the lack of signposts, shepherds and tourists making them pretty adventure-prone. If the going wasn’t tough enough, weather condition in Spring and Fall might spoil the fun completely, snow or ice cover in their shadowy section at Passes in the morning, afternoon heat in their sunny ones, long distances with not much water for most of them plus a need to wild camp, decide late or early on the way and be sure of your footing on the sketchy downhill and loose rocks section if you don’t want to risk an injury, should you run out of luck. Why do these instead of the more famous trekking options in the Toubkal Massif? Not just because they are worse in comparison, but because they are less pleasant in comparison, offering more solitude on the longer versions while demanding less effort, gear and skill on the others. Often these treks will include asylum farmers, if not villages, farms and shepherds, which tend to be very rare in the Toubkal Massif. Then don’t be surprised to hear a different Berber dialect or Islam and farming minus tourism, if you venture away from the overexposed areas.
7. Camping for Hiking Tours in Morocco
Camping is an exciting way of enjoying your trekking holiday in Morocco. If you have not decided to sleep inside tramp at hotels, you may choose between camping in nice places and sleeping in huts of the local Berber shepherds. For overnights in valley Berber villages, you have to pay them and you’ll be welcome if you speak some French or Arabic. Wild camping on the mountain is totally free but it is pretty cold and harsh for a lot of people, apart from the imaginary difficulties having to deal with lack of comfort. It is worth trying it, at least for a couple of nights, because the experience is exciting and in a country where almost everybody has a home at a walking distance, nothing better than sleep outside, under a starry sky and wake up, an hour later, and go back to sleep, if you can’t find strength to get up.
In spring, summer, and autumn, all tools, beginnings in winter and in early spring is dropping, are available. The majority of huts are made of stone and mud but the ceilings are made of clay and straw that, during rain, are totally ineffective in blocking the water. In early spring and a bit later, during the summer in the region of the Sahara, days are warm and nights are cool up on the mountain.
In order to have major problems of water and rubbish collection from washing, besides trudging a long trail into charming gorges, go back to civilization for new stuff and for long waiting times inside shops, carry as less as possible and do not overload your guides. Animals can be a problem in some zones of the Atlas; donkeys, mules, and camels might have wounds on legs. If there are two people, prices are acceptable; if you’re three, less; if you’re four, you can pay each. If you’ll be loads of people, some agencies will drop down even further. Mountain and desert walking tours are gorgeously beautiful, though heat in summer might be too unbearable for someone.
8. Conclusion
Hiking in Morocco is an exciting adventure waiting for your exploration. There are many areas to explore in Morocco, from the high Atlas Mountains to the north in Rif and the coastal area of the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean. You can choose from a range of trekking options available depending on your holiday schedule, from an easy and leisure walk for half-day to a more adventurous trekking like the Tour of Toubkal. If you look for an expedition to Morocco, you can find the natural sceneries of an extraordinary beauty from the valleys to the mountains with a rich culture of different people to encounter along the way.
In this book, we have included a useful amount of trekking information to help you prepare for any trekking in Morocco. Topics include the route for the treks, local people and one of their most popular and exotic ways of living, local food to enjoy, what to see along the trek, and what accommodations to provide for the trips. The trekking routes in this book are from the experiences gained from living in Marrakeck with regular visits through Toubkal Massif and its valleys. The guides were also born and lived in various valleys for several years, with a lot of trekking experiences. Most of the huts shown in the guidebook have good facilities but are basic because the huts operate under a very limited budget. Despite the limitedness of the infrastructures, we hope you enjoy your trek in Morocco, where you can see and feel the world that is rich in traditions and has varying backgrounds living within such a limited area. We hope you would also have a chance to meet such friendly people along the
