Toubkal: Climbing North Africa's Highest Peak
A guide to Jebel Toubkal in Morocco's High Atlas — the standard two-day ascent from Imlil and a longer, quieter circuit.
At 4,167 m, Jebel Toubkal is the highest mountain in North Africa. It’s a non-technical ascent in summer, an easy day trip from Marrakech to the trailhead, and a fascinating glimpse into life in the Berber villages of the High Atlas.
The standard ascent
Most people start in the village of Imlil, about 90 minutes from Marrakech. The first day climbs through walnut groves and past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal refuges at around 3,200 m. On day two, you set off before dawn for the summit, then descend all the way back to Imlil.
A better option: the circuit
If you have more time, a Toubkal circuit of five to seven days loops through remote valleys, over high passes and past Lake Ifni before tackling the summit. It allows proper acclimatisation and far more time in the mountains.
Guides
Local rules have at times required foreign hikers to be accompanied by a licensed guide in the Toubkal area. Check current regulations; either way, hiring a local mountain guide supports the communities you walk through.
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal. In winter, the upper mountain is snow-covered and requires crampons, an ice axe and the skills to use them. Midsummer can be very hot in the valleys.
Tips
- Carry cash for gîtes, mules and food.
- Dress modestly in villages.
- The final summit slopes are loose scree — poles help a lot on the descent.