The spectacular High Atlas Mountain of Morocco is a hiking/trekking paradise. Most trekkers flock here with the goal of ascending Mt. Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa (4,167m/13,671 ft.). For those, like us, who do not have enough time to go for this popular ascent, a day hike in this scenic mountain is just as rewarding.
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We hired a car in Marrakesh to take us to the High Atlas Mountain. We traveled about 60 kms south to the mountain village of Imlil, from where we started the hike and where we engaged a licensed guide for the hike.
The day hike in the High Atlas Mountain provided a very refreshing break from the intensity of Marrakech. The air was fresh, the trail was peaceful, the view was breathtaking and the village people we met on the trail were some of the warmest and friendliest we met in Morocco.
The ride from Marrakesh to the High Atlas offered some lovely sceneries.
Navigating the switchback roads of the High Atlas.
Some ceramics on the road side stop.
We reached the village of Imlil in about 75 minutes. Like most of mountain villages of the High Atlas, Imlil is inhabited by Berbers who live in flat-roofed homes built out of muds.
Some locals painting a fence along the trailhead in Imlil.
View of a mountain village as we get higher on the trail.
Some big boulders along our path.
Some of the beautiful children we encountered on the trail. After they saw us taking photos of them they politely told us, “no foto, no foto.” The children and women we met during the hike were all warm and friendly, but shunned photography.
The girl walking behind Keith ran and hid behind the rock when she saw me taking photo.
The stunning view of the mountains and villages from the trail.
Old-fashioned ways meet modernity. A handwashed laundry line and a sattelite dish at one of the homes in the village of Armed.
Keith performing magic tricks for the children along the trail in the village of Armed.
Keith’s magic trick was a big hit and he attracted more fans:) Some of the kids even called their parents to come out and see his performance.
It was a harvest season for walnuts. Every walnut farmer we passed by offered us a handful or two. Poor Keith, his backpack was full of and heavy with walnuts by the second half of the hike.
Behind us is the scenic cluster of home in the village of Armed.
We stopped for lunch at the beautiful Kasbah du Toubkal. It is considered as the premium mountain retreat lodge in Morocco.
Kasbah du Toubkal is surrounded by magnificent sceneries. This is the view of Mt. Jebel Toubkal from the Kasbah.
View of a mountain village from Kasbah du Toubkal. Some of the scenes in the movie Kundun was shot at the Kasbah and its surrounding area.
Enjoying the lovely garden of Kasbah du Toubkal with the Mt. Jebel Toubkal in the background.
Washing and drying area for carpets.
Looking down at the trails below.
Brahmin, our mountain guide. The village in the background is where he lives.
The trails that descends to Imlil.
One of the locals we encountered as we reached the end of the trail in Imlil.
You may also like to see our other posts on Morocco:
- Morocco: Navigating the Ancient Maze of Fez
- Morocco: Volubilis and Meknes
- Morocco: Bhalil, Ifrane and Azrou
- Morocco: Camel Trekking in the Sahara Desert
- Morocco: Ait Benhaddou and Tamdaght
- Morocco: Madness and Surprised in Marrakech
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Travel Notes:
- You need to hire one of the official guides at the Bureau des Guides in Imlil, otherwise you may get into trouble. Unbeknown to us, our driver was trying to hire an unlicensed guide for us. One of the licensed guide found out and confronted him, an altercation ensued and the two men were brought to the police station. (We were in shocked because we didn’t ask the driver to arrange for a guide for us as we knew that we had to go the Bureau. Turned out he was doing it for a commission.)
- We highly recommend a lunch stop at Kasbah Toubkal. You have to let the Bureau de Guides know if you plan to do so and they will make a reservation for you before you start the trek.
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