Jebel Toubkal Ascent

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. These are tough, dry mountains, with sheer and broken ridges and deep valleys.

 This demanding 2-4 day ascent of north Africa’s highest mountain starts at Imlil in a northern approach-valley, and follows a long uphill (1,467m) slog to the Toubkal Refuge with a punishing 900m ascent and descent of the peak (much of it is on a long scree slope). Consider taking two days to get to the refuge, or spend two nights there, exploring the area on the extra day, which will help the acclimatization process.

The long climb from Imlil to the refuge is a fine walk, in increasingly gorgeous scenery, but exhausting as result of the long climb in increasing altitude.

You will be up early for the assault on the summit. This is a dreary three hour slog, clambering over icy rock, crossing the all too aptly named Field of Boulders and zig-zagging up ramps of broken lava and an endless, imperial sized, scree slope. You get the idea. Eventually, you gain the main ridge and a majestic view north-east, across the chasm of the Tisgui valley. The final pull to the top is likely to be slow and breathless.

The peak is often cold and windy, but the 360° views are as exciting as could be expected.

See William Mackesy’s account of climbing Jekel Toubkal below.

It is worth saying that the Toubkal ascent was the least enjoyable day of our wonderful Toubkhal Circuit, a cold slog after a couple of bad nights’ sleep, although of course memorable for the peak-baggary and genuinely thrilling views.

Some might head on down to Imlil on the same day, but that will be hard on the legs and a bit of a waste of the effort getting into the high country. Consider another night at the refuge, or you can make a wonderful day 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 some 66 (mark of The Beast) 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 this walk below.

This is a tough walk where altitude can cause real problems. Come prepared.

www.tourdust.com organise an expedition here : we have travelled with Tourdust, and were delighted. They were very nice and flexible to deal with, and evidently cared about quality, as their walk was meticulously prepared and our support team were outstanding in every way. We are proud to be their partners.

Please help us by recommending 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.