Imlil Area

At the heart of the High Atlas sits Jebel Toubkal, at 4167m (13,750 ft), North Africa's highest mountain, from which high ridges radiate toward the dry plains, nestling irrigated oasis-valleys with their mud-brick semi-fortified traditional Berber villages.

Imlil and the Kasbah de Toubkal, some half an hour's walk to the south, are excellent bases for a wide range of High Atlas walking, and easily accessed from Marrakech.

Walks range from day-explorations of the nearby valleys and hillsides, to longer crossings into neighbouring valleys, for instance east over high peaks to the remoter, and spectacular, Imenane Valley. Hence you can circuit back to Imlil (in 3-4 days) or carry on eastward over a further high pass (3,172m) to Setti Fatma in 3 days, a fine trek providing a wide variety of experiences. And a 5-6 day walk south-west across the range (high pass at 2,095m - thus is a less strenuous trek) to Tin Mal.

See William Mackesy's account of his day walk eastward to the Tizi n'Tamatert.

You could also climb the Toubkal Refuge for a night, a tough slog with 1,467m of altitude gain but an increasingly gorgeous scenery, then make a return walk to the roadhead in the westerly Ouarzane valley. Start with a beautiful, gradual climb up the western side of the valley. At the Agazin pass, drink in a final view back up the valley to Toubkal. Then look across the Ouarzane valley to the sharp cliffs of the high Tazughart Plateau. A long descent down a huge scree slope, taking in 66 zig-zagged bends, gets you to a long, delightful walk down into rugged valleys, past a grand waterfall, through a belt of boulders and gnarled juniper trees, and past hamlets of shepherds? huts. A long traverse, as the river falls away into a deep gorge, gets you to the roadhead village of Irkoubeline, where you can stay. You can swing back to Imlil from here if you want.

See William Mackesy's account of the second day of this walk below.

You can or course make the Jebel Toubkal Ascent from Imlil, a tough but rewarding 2-4 day expedition. And the classic Jebel Toubkal Circuit is usually started from Imlil.

This can be tough walking at some altitude. Come prepared.

Please help us by recommending your best walks, making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Jebel Toubkal Area walk page.