Hikes in Morocco

A trek or summit hike in the High Atlas is a truly special hiking experience. The crossing of the High Atlas is probably considered the ultimate goal and the greatest way to explore this unique landscape. The routes listed here can be undertaken as individual hikes or in combination with an Atlas crossing of about two weeks. It is best to start in the Zat Valley near Ait Stimane, cross the Yagour Plateau to the Ourika Valley, continue to the lonely four-thousand-metre peak Jebel Iferouna, to Amsouzart with a detour to Lac Ifni and via Disslday - n'Tarhbaloute, with the crossing of Jebel Toubkal into the Toubkal Valley and out to Imlil.

An initial exploration of the landscape during the adventurous panoramic hike in the Zat Valley up to the viewpoint at almost 1,700 m and the subsequent hike through the often trackless terrain down into the narrow stream valley in the direction of Acat offers intense impressions to prepare you for what to expect.

The hiike from Ait Stimane up to the fantastically situated mountain village of Quarzast and across the scenically unique Yagour Plateau, through remote nomad settlements and summer pastures of the shepherds, creates a smooth transition to peace and enchanting nature.

Crossing the Yagour plateau and descending into the touristy Ourika valley, the usually well-visited pilgrimage site of Setti Fatima, with its colorful hustle and bustle, gives rise to a little excitement for a while, before heading back down the valley to the quiet oasis with its shady walnut trees.

The hike along the stream valley over the Tizi n'Amanal pass at an altitude of 2,400 metres to the remote, lonely mountain villages of Tamatert and Amanzal with wonderful, winding irrigation systems and artistic cultivation terraces impressively demonstrate the new face of this region in the High Atlas.

On the ascent to the high camp of Jebel Iferouane, you will pass through lonely landscapes and remote regions with simple mountain villages and nomadic settlements. The route reaches heights of over 3,000 metres and reaches the valley head of the Adrar n'Dern massif.

The ascent of the lonely Jebel Iferouane at 4,001 m is a rare "treat" and a scenario of superlatives. "Lunar" landscapes and almost extraterrestrial impressions of a distant planet await. The views are gigantic and reach far into the seemingly endless high plateau at the foot of the High Atlas.

The next route could be described as a return to civilisation. For the descent over the Aourai Pass to the village of Amsouzart brings a trace of "everyday life" back into view and completely new impressions of civilisation after days of seclusion in the mountain world of the Adrar n'Dern massif.

The beautiful hike to the emerald-green landscape jewel Lac Ifni at almost 2,300 m, with the mountain lake wonderfully embedded in the high mountain world of the Toubkal massif, is a landscape experience in a class of its own. A cool swim in the lake clears the mind and brings new motivation before the descent back to Amsouzart!

The next day, the hike through the valley of the small river Qued Tifnoute, which is mostly remote and rarely visited by tourists, opens up new perspectives in the Toubkal massif. It goes past lush cultivation terraces with the best apples of the region and through remote villages up to the high camp n'Tarhbaloute below Jebel Toubkal.

The ascent of Jebel Toubkal on the rarely used direct route from the east, with subsequent traverse down to the base camp at the Neltner Hut in the Toubkal Valley, is an exceptional treat from a mountaineering point of view and a magnificent mountain experience.

The descent through the Toubkal Valley out to Chamharouch is pure relaxation and a welcome change after the exertions of the last few days. After the scenic experiences, the sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch awaits at the end, with its pre-Islamic shrine and white boulder.

Finally, the easy hike from Sidi Chamharouch via Imlil to Aguersioual concludes the crossing and the last impressions of the central High Atlas. It leads through the Toubkal Valley via the charming villages of Aroum - Imlil and on to Aguersioual, and back to village regions with transport links.