Mount Toubkal & Berber Villages

Sore knees, a smile, the view from the top. As trekking experts we visited our partners in Morocco and there we couldn't let a climb of the highest mountain of North Africa go by. Here are our best tips for climbing Mount Toubkal!

Are you thinking of trekking in Morocco? Well, why wouldn’t you? Morocco is a varied and rich country. This country is famous for its culture, its people, its food, and most important to us: its geography. From the Atlas mountains to the Sahara desert, Morocco has the most contrasting of landscapes, which will dazzle any trekking lover. Trekking in the Atlas Mountains can be a bit confusing at first because of all the different options and possible combinations, but no need to worry, in this article I will clear things up a bit. To begin with, let's talk for a bit about this famous mountain range: The Atlas. The Atlas mountains are found in northeastern Africa and are 2,400 km / 1,491 mi long. This huge massif cuts across 3 countries, but its highest peak, Mount Toubkal, is in Morocco. So, there we have our first trekking option: climbing Mount Toubkal. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Another thing you need to know about this region before we get to the trekking part is that it is inhabited by the Berbers, an indigenous ethnic group from northern Africa. The Berbers still live in traditional villages scattered across the Atlas Mountains, where their traditions and way of living still prevail. Now that you know some basic facts about Morocco, its geography and people, let’s talk about what got us to Morocco in the first place: trekking.

If you are looking to climb Mount Toubkal, your starting base will likely be the bustling city of Marrakech. Your tickets are booked, your beach holiday on the coast is taken care of and you have broken in your hiking boots. All you are looking for is where to stay in Marrakech. It is a question we get very often and along with the help of our partners in Morocco, we are here to point you the way.This 1000-year old city is located on the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and from here our partners offer trekking and climbing expeditions to Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak of the Atlas. Marrakech is the fourth largest city in the country, after Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier. The city is home to a lot of buildings constructed in sandstone and is therefore known as the Red City, after the color of these sandstone buildings. The city grew fast and is a cultural, religious and trading hub for the entire Maghreb. In the medina quarter, you can find the Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of the busiest market squares in Africa. Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is the international airport serving Marrakech and this side of the Atlas Mountains. The airport is about 8 kilometers from the city center. If you are looking at climbing Toubkal, you either already have booked accommodation in Marrakech or you are still wondering where to stay. We get these questions a lot and together with our partners, we would like to help you out and send you in the right direction. As our partners are local and know everything about this beautiful city, we have asked them for their advice about the local riads. Are you ready to discover Marrakech? Let’s go!