The 7 best hikes in Morocco for wildlife, Roman ruins and mountain summits

17.12.2024 - 21:27 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 17, 2024 • 8 min read

Morocco is home to some of the world’s most striking mountain landscapes. Ramble through fragrant forests of cedar trees and walk along verdant valleys where time has stood still. More adventurous hikers scale North Africa’s tallest peak or head off on demanding multi-day treks across rugged massifs.

With peaks and valleys to suit all abilities, atmospheric eco-friendly lodgings, and a tasty tagine waiting for you at the journey’s end, here are our top picks for hiking in Morocco.

27km (16.7 miles), 2 days, hard

The High Atlas – Morocco’s loftiest mountain range, known to the locals as Idraren Draren or Mountains of Mountains – runs diagonally across the country for almost 1000km (620 miles) and is a trekker’s paradise, especially in spring and autumn.

The biggest draw is the ascent of Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4167m (13,670ft). Much of the trekking is done on the first day, a six-hour hike zigzagging upwards through a craggy valley. Stop to acclimatize and share campfire tales with fellow climbers at a rustic refuge, before setting off at first light to scale the snow-dusted summit. You’ll need snow equipment in the winter months, but if you’re blessed with brilliant blue skies, you’ll have views all the way to the Sahara.

With more time, you can take on the challenging week-long Toubkal Circuit and, as well as tackling Toubkal, you’ll meander between remote Amazigh (Berber) villages, crossing fertile valleys, rocky massifs, and panoramic passes.

The mountain village of Imlil (90 minutes from Marrakesh) is a hub for hikers and the place to hire a mountain guide (compulsory in Toubkal National Park) and book a bed at one of the refuges. There are plenty of other treks to try: stay in style at the sustainable Kasbah du Toubkal and you can hike to their remote lodge in the Azzaden Valley.

7.4km (4.6 miles), 2.5 hours, moderate

Close to Ifrane – aka Morocco’s Little Switzerland, thanks to its Alpine architecture and spotless streets – Ifrane National Park is spread over 500 sq km (310 sq miles) of the Middle Atlas mountains. It’s famed for its fragrant forests of Atlas cedars and troops of endangered Barbary macaques. The one-of-a-kind primate was once widespread in Europe and North Africa, but is now only found in small pockets of Morocco and Algeria’s northern mountain ranges.

The park has several well-marked, easy-to-moderate trails, but – as the name suggests – the Monkey Trail will give you a good chance of spotting the mischievous macaques, as well as other forest residents, such as foxes and wild boar. It’s great for trail runners and mountain bikers too, since it’s shaded by lofty oak and cedar trees.

Enlist a guide, such as Saleh Boudaoud, to discover more