Hiking In Morocco

The presence of the Atlas crossing the country right through as well as that of the desert make Morocco an ideal destination for trekkers throughout the year. We asked our local expert to tell us about the best areas for hiking in Morocco!

There are circuits and itineraries for all tastes and all levels: our hiking trips will take you from the Sahara Desert to Marrakech, from Essaouira to the High Atlas, to meet a country rich in its diversity. Impossible not to marvel at the ancient Moroccan culture.

The period from April to October is the most recommended for a route there, the temperatures being less severe and the snow still absent.

The presence of the Atlas crossing the country right through as well as that of the desert make Morocco an ideal destination for trekkers throughout the year.

There are circuits and itineraries for all tastes and all levels: from cedar forests in the Middle Atlas to relatively gentle slopes, to the rockery of the High Atlas through the volcanic landscapes of Jebel Sarhro.

The variety of landscapes offered by this massif is incredible: canyons, jagged ridges, terraced crops clinging to the sides of the mountains, bright colors ... Higher up, the Atlas was used for pasture, if you are lucky, you will come across maybe bighorns, wild boars, gazelles or geckos.

Hiking in Morocco and in the High Atlas in particular, will allow you to see incredible villages such as Télouet, located at an altitude of 1,870 m. There is one of the most beautiful kasbahs in the region: interior courtyards, arcades with finely carved decorative elements, marble works ... The visit is free, I often invite travelers to stop there! In areas popular with trekkers, there is also the Aït Bougmez, or “Vallée Heureuse”, hiking trail. The area was only recently opened up by means of an asphalt track. It has therefore been very preserved to this day, its culture, way of life and the surrounding nature are intact. Authenticity guaranteed!

The ideal period for this type of hike will be from October to April, to avoid too hot temperatures. Strangely, hiking in the desert also offers contrasting landscapes between mountains, dunes and palm groves.

From Merzouga it will be easy for you to get to Erg Chebbi, an erg being a dune field whose shape is constantly changing, reshaped by the wind. Admiring a sunrise gives the full measure of the enchantment of the place, the color of the dunes changing as the sun rises.

Another classic starting point for a walking route is the town of Zagora, where you can visit some very beautiful kasbahs. Zagora is truly considered the gateway to the desert. We also pass through it to access Erg Chegaga, a dune massif 40 km long and 15 wide, some of which reach up to 60m high!

The reduced accessibility of this erg (4x4 or camel) has preserved its wild side. A stay in this erg allows you to get a glimpse of this great desert that is the Sahara. Overnight stays near the wells also give you the opportunity to rub shoulders with the local nomadic peoples and see their way of life.

It is the highest peak in North Africa with an altitude of 4,167 meters. This is a must-see trek in Morocco, departing from Imlil, near Marrakech. Aside from the altitude and the scree, the ascent of Toubkal does not present great risks or great difficulties for a trained person.

Another summit popular with trekkers: the ighil M'Goun ("ighil", Berber word meaning ridge), 4071 m above sea level, is the 3rd highest peak in Morocco. The advantage of the M’goun massif is that it is less frequented by travelers; in addition, there are superb gorges of a dark ocher hue.

In the High and Middle Atlas, the traveler usually sleeps in a lodge. You should know that, apart from some private lodgings, the comfort of Moroccan lodgings is often quite spartan. A bare room, mattresses on the floor, rather basic bathrooms, you shouldn't expect much more.

In the Rif and Anti Atlas, less frequented, lodgings are much less frequent and people sleep there most often in tents, with no other option than bivouac.

You do not have to do these hikes accompanied, but it goes without saying that the presence of a guide will bring safety and interest to your trek.

In addition to knowing the area and the routes, the guide can also act as an intermediary and translator to facilitate your contacts with the local populations, thus adding an undeniable cultural "plus" to your stay.

However, the "freedom hike" is quite possible. Here again, you can opt for various solutions. With or without porterage, thanks to the services of local muleteers that our local expert will have reserved for you. You can also opt for star-shaped hikes, for example, around Télouet. The area lends itself well to this.

In terms of accommodation, various possibilities are available to you depending on the location chosen for hiking: bivouac, lodges, fixed camps or in a room with locals.