Hike Jebel Toubkal

At nearly 14,000 ft, a trip up Toubkal is no joke, and much more than most people expect to find in Morocco. You'll find a landscape that reminded us of Colorado, and some great hiking (and even some snow).

Getting there

All hikes to Toubkal start in the small mountain town of Imlil. You can arrange your own transportation here, or arrange a hiking trip that picks you up in Marrakech and takes you back after the hike. Many folks choose to get themselves here, it's a beautiful area and there are a few shorter hikes in the area that can help you acclimatize a bit. It's required to use a guide for Toubkal, so either find one online, or stop into a few of the guide shops in town.

The hike

Most people will split the hike into two days. We hiked up to the refuge on the first day, and summited in the morning and returned back to Imlil (and then Marrakech) the next day. Some folks opt to summit Toubkal the first day and stay at the refuge that night. I'd recommend the former -- sunrise from the top is worth it. 

It's a stout hike, as you head up through town and then following a valley up to the refuge. There are a bunch of little shops along the way, be sure to grab a glass of fresh orange juice that might just be the best you've ever tasted.

Summit Day

We (along with many others in the refuge) got an early start to be near the summit by sunrise. Your guide will likely have had you bring crampons, and depending on the time of year, there can be quite a bit of snow on the climb from the refuge to the ridge, and eventually the summit. It helps to be prepared for colder weather, depending on the season -- this is a true alpine environment. The summit is gorgeous, as is the surrounding landscape.