Mount Toubkal Trek
The ascent to the summit of Mount Toubkal is one of the most spectacular trekking routes in Morocco. This iconic mountain is the highest in North Africa, and offers sweeping views over the Atlas range. Normally summited over 2 days with one night spent in a mountain refuge, the hike to the top of Toubkal is a true trekking adventure. Trekkers can choose embark at an early hour in order to watch the sunrise from the summit. Watching the sun slowly illuminate the vast beauty of the Atlas range make for a truly unforgettable panorama.
Trekking Mount Toubkal Morocco
Where is Toubkal mountain?
Mount Toubkal lies in the High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 60km south from Marrakech. Toubkal is close to the town of Imlil, which is the most popular place to start the ascent of the mountain.
How high is Toubkal mountain ?
Toubkal mountain is the highest peak in North Africa, rising to 4167 metres above sea level.
DJebel Toubkal on a map : 
Climbing toubkal
From Imlil, Toubkal is normally summited over 2 days. On the first day, hikers will trek from Imlil to the mountain refuge that sits at around 3200m in altitude. The climb from the town to the refuge constitutes around 4-6 hours of walking through the valley.
How long does it take to climb Mount Toubkal?
The following day, the trek will be a steep scramble and take roughly 3 hours. After reaching the peak and taking in the breathtaking panorama, trekkers will return to Imil. The journey from the summit back to the village will take roughly 8 hours.
Is the trek difficult?
The trek is physically challenging, but requires no technical mountaineering experience. A good general level of physical fitness should be adequate preparation for undertaking the trek.
However, visitors are advised that there are steep and rocky sections of the track towards the summit, which will require some scrambling. The use of trekking poles is encouraged to reduce the physical strain of descending and ascending.
Visitors are also advised to prepare for the possibility of altitude sickness. Precautional measures can be taken by staying a few nights in Imlil before the trek to acclimatise, packing medication, as well as acclimatising again in the mountain refuge.
When to climb Toubkal?
The summit of Toubkal is reachable year round. The most popular times for trekking are March-May and September-October, avoiding both the hottest and coldest times of the year. The region surrounding Toubkal does not often experience heavy rain, which makes climbing Toubkal feasible at any time of the year. Visitors are advised to be aware of weather conditions, and to prepare with appropriate equipment. Throughout the year, temperatures fluctuate between -3°Celcius-25°Celcius.
Is it possible to climb mount toubkal without a guide?
It is necessary to hire a guide in order to climb Mount Toubkal. There are checkpoints along the trail manned by local authorities and police to ensure that hikers are accompanied by a guide. Without a guide, trekkers will not be permitted to use the trail.
Book a guide here :
Which refuge ?
There are two mountain refuges situated on the trek at an altitude of 3200m. Both of them are located next to eachother. Refuge du Toubkal is run by the French Alpine Club. Les Mouflons de Toubkal is privately owned, but more popularly used. Camping outside the refuge is also an alternative during the warmer months.
What to bring?
Visitors are advised to prepare for mountain conditions. It is normally warm and exposed during the day, and very cold on the summit!
Packing list:
- Warm jacket and layers
- Gloves
- Hat
- Buff/scarf (something to cover your face from the wind)
- Comfortable clothes for hiking in
- Sun cream
- Lip balm
- Trekking poles (optional, but very useful for the steep sections).
- Medication for altitude sickness (optional)
There are shops in Imlil where visitors can find all the camping and hiking equipment they will need.
Some recommended stores for equipment:
After climbing Toubkal?
Visitors are encourages to resting a few days in Imlil after finishing the climb. Here, visitors can recover while still enjoying spectacular mountain views from around the village.
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