6 Days Toubkal Trek From Ourika
This six-day trek includes the Toubkal ascent and walks past several Berber villages with a more detailed view into one village, chosen according to personal preference.
Besides wonderful views from the Toubkal Mountain, the green Ourika Valley (Setti Fadma village) with a river cutting it in half is another hidden gem of this journey.
The trek continues up Tacheddirt pass (3200 m) offering a view over the majority of the Atlas Mountain summits.
The adjacent village of the same name lies in the heart of Imnane Valley where most of the trekking routes start.
It leads over the Tizi Mzik (2500 m) and Toubkal National Park with the Tamsoult waterfalls.
The hike up the highest North African peak is the cherry on top and a fantastic ending to the whole trek.
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Ourika Valley – Setti Fatma – Agadir N’Ait Boulmane – Timichchi
Starting in the little riverside village of Setti Fatma where we meet up with our mountain guide and muleteers.
We set out upon the far side of the river, through 100-year-old walnut trees for some 30 minutes to visit the 6, sometimes 7 cascading waterfalls. Returning via the first of these waterfalls, we swing back via Setti Fadma’s twin village of Zaouia Mohammed to take our picnic in the village.
Suitably refreshed, we now start the serious part of our hike of between 5 and 6 hours towards the west along the western branch of the valley, the Adrar n’Oukaïmeden and Jbel Angour in front of us, drawing us like a magnet past streams flowing from the upper slopes, through the tiny hillside villages of Isghouarne, Agadir n’Aït Boulmane, Tadrart, Tiourdiou and Izouggaghene with their cornfields, terraced irrigated plots and groves of orange and olive trees, to finally arrive at the village of Timichchi, set amongst ancient walnut trees, where we will have our Berber dinner and accommodation for the night in the home of a Berber family.
Day 2: Timichchi – Iaabassene – Tacheddirt
After an early breakfast we start our morning’s superb 2-hour hike towards the west along well-defined mule trails in the lush upper valley to the Berber village of Iaabassene (2,030m), set beside a natural spring.
From here we traverse the rocky lower levels of the Tizi n’Tacheddirt (3,200m) of the mighty Jbel Angour range (3,616m), the stunning panorama of Adrar N’Ineghmar (3,892m), Jbel Bou Iguenouane (3,882m) and Aksouâl (3,842m) in all their immense glory. We’ll stop for our field picnic after some 2.5 hours of incredible hiking before setting out once more for a further 2 hour decent to the terraced village of homes called Tacheddirt (2,291m), set amongst terraced, irrigated fields clawed out over the centuries from the surrounding mountainside.
Tacheddirt is easily the oldest and quaintest of all the Berber villages in the Toubkal Massif.
Tonight we’ll relax and enjoy our dinner and accommodation in a Berber gîte d’étape set amidst some awesome countryside.
Day 3: Tacheddirt – Imenane Valley – Agersioual – Imlil
After breakfast we set off down the Assif Imnane Valley, passing through several Berber villages and thence up to the Tizi n’Ageursiwal (2,000m).
Once through the cull we wind down mule tracks leading to the village of Aguersiwal (lunch spot) set off the path in riverbed of Imlil. We will trek another hour to ascend the valley to Imlil.
Day 4: Imlil – Tizi M’zzik – Aazib Tamsoult
The start of a 6-hour trek up long, winding mule tracks takes us first to Tizi Mzik (2,664m). We’ll enjoy the awesome panorama of the Imlil Valley and of Jebel Toubkal (4,167m) before descending to Aazib n’Tamsoult (2,145m) for a picnic by a stream.
Thence, on up to the Tamsoult Cascade, also known as the Irhoulidene Cascade (2,200m) and return down for dinner and overnight in a refuge.
Day 5: Âazib Tamsoult – TiziI Aguelzim – Toubkal Refuge
After breakfast, we set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3,104m) with our picnic taken en route, thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3,207m, where we shall have our dinner the Cafe Refuge.
Day 6: Toubkal Refuge – Summit Jbel Toubkal – Aremd – Imlil – Marrakech
Early this morning we make our attempt to the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa.
Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks.
The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile.
Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit.
From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara.
After taking enough pictures and enjoying a small picnic we will turn back to the hut for lunch then head back towards Imlil where we will meet with the car prior to returning to your accommodation.
More info
Period
From May to November
Duration
6 days/5 nights
Grade
Moderately Difficult
Essential Equipment & Clothing:
- Good hiking boots or trainers and socks
- Personal First Aid Kit
- 3 to 4 season sleeping bag
- Day sack/backpack
- Ice axe and crampons (winter)
- Headlamp
- Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
- Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
Extra Notes:
- < Trek prices may vary depending of the season (High altitude treks)
- Prices quoted are per person, based on sharing a twin room/2 person tent (unless otherwise stated)
- Payment: can be made in € / $ / £ or MAD