The High Atlas rises about an hour south of Marrakech, and on clear days in the cooler months you can see its snow from the city. It is Berber country: villages of stone and earth on terraced slopes, walnut groves, and mule paths over the passes.
Where to go
- Imlil, at about 1,740 m and 68 km from Marrakech, the trekking village below Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa.
- The Azzaden and Imnane valleys either side of Imlil, linked by passes such as Tizi n'Mzik (about 2,480 m) and Tizi n'Tamatert (about 2,300 m).
- Oukaïmeden, a high plateau with one of Morocco's major sites of prehistoric rock carvings.
- The Ourika valley and Setti Fatma, 65 km from Marrakech.
Ways to see it
- For an easy day: the Atlas and Imlil day trip.
- On foot: a day trek, village treks of 2 to 6 days, or the 5-day Toubkal circuit. See all treks.
- By bike: mountain bike tours from one to four days.
Good to know
- A licensed guide is required to climb Toubkal. Read Toubkal trek from Imlil.
- There can be snow above Imlil from late autumn to spring.
- Drive times to each valley are in How far are the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech?
Plan it with us
Tell us how active you want to be, and we suggest a day, a trek or a ride.