Quantcast
Channel: Traveling Solemates » MOROCCO
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 7

Morocco: A Day Hike in the High Atlas Mountain

0
0

Village of Armed, High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoThe 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.

———–

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.

High Atlas, MorrocoThe ride from Marrakesh to the High Atlas offered some lovely sceneries.

 

Highway in High Atlas, MoroccoNavigating the switchback roads of the High Atlas.

 

Ceramics on the High Atlas Highway, MoroccoSome ceramics on the road side stop.

 

Hiking in the High Atlas MoroccoWe 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.

 

People in Village of Imlil, High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoSome locals painting a fence along the trailhead in Imlil.

 

Hiking in the Villages of The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoView of a mountain village as we get higher on the trail.

 

Hiking in The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoSome big boulders along our path.

 

Children in The High Atlas Mountain, Morocco

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.

 

Hiking in The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoThe girl walking behind Keith ran and hid behind the rock when she saw me taking photo.

 

Hiking in The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoThe stunning view of the mountains and villages from the trail.

 

Village in The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoOld-fashioned ways meet modernity. A handwashed laundry line and a sattelite dish at one of the homes in the village of Armed.

 

Hiking in a Village on The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoKeith performing magic tricks for the children along the trail in the village of Armed.

 

Hiking in a Village on The High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoKeith’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.

 

Walnut Harvest, High Atlas, Mountain, MoroccoIt 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.

 

Walnut Harvest, High Atlas, Mountain, MoroccoPeople harvesting walnuts.

 

Village of Armed, High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoBehind us is the scenic cluster of home in the village of Armed.

 

Village of Armed, High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoFellow hikers on the trail.

 

Lunch at Kasbah du Toubkal, Atlas Mountain, Morocco

We stopped for lunch at the beautiful Kasbah du Toubkal. It is considered as the premium mountain retreat lodge in Morocco.

 

Mt.Jebel Toubkal, High Atlas, MoroccoKasbah du Toubkal is surrounded by magnificent sceneries. This is the view of Mt. Jebel Toubkal from the Kasbah.

 

View from  Kasbah du Toubkal, Atlas Mountain, MoroccoView 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.

 

The garden of  Kasbah du Toubkal, Atlas Mountain, MoroccoEnjoying the  lovely garden of  Kasbah du Toubkal with the Mt. Jebel Toubkal in the background.

 

Hiking on the High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoWashing and drying area for carpets.

 

Hiking on the High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoLooking down at the trails below.

 

Hiking on the High Atlas Mountain, MoroccoBrahmin, our mountain guide. The village in the background is where he lives.

 

Hiking on the High Atlas Mountain, Morocco

The trails that descends to Imlil.

People in Village of Imlil, High Atlas Mountain, Morocco

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:

 ____________________________

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.
Feel free to leave your comments below.

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 7

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images