Trekking in Morocco

Mount Toubkal Circuit trek

Stephen Lioy

The focal point of the Morocco trekking scene, the basic Jebel (Mount) Toubkal trek is typically marketed as a two day itinerary from Imil (or three days if departing from & returning to Marrakech). You’ll do two days of heavy hiking to reach Toubkal Base Camp. On the second morning you’ll make a pre-dawn push to catch sunrise from the summit, then turn around and descend 2,500 metres all the way back down.

It’s rushed, gruelling and busy.

A far more relaxed trek is this Toubkal Circuit itinerary, which is typically done in six days with the final ascent saved for last. If you’ve got the time I’d strongly recommend doing it the slow way.

M'goun Circuit trek

Mandy Sinclair

• Trek duration: Five days
• Max. elevation: 4,071m
• Accommodation: Trekking refuges & homestay
• Start / end point: Agouti
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Few visitors journey to Aït Bougmez, a valley running along the M’goun Massif in Morocco's Central High Atlas mountains. Those who do are rewarded with lush pastures, picturesque views across the valley and hospitable locals who don’t let language barriers get in the way—and some of the best hiking in Morocco.

The M'goun Circuit trek follows the general routes of the nomadic Ait Atta tribes who circle around Mt M'goun to reach green pastures and a glacial lake where they reside for the summer months.

Erg Zahar trek

Sarah Gilbert

• Distance: Approx. 75 kilometres
• Duration: Four days, around four to six hours trekking per day
• Start: M’hamid
• End: M’hamid

Another intrepid trek I can recommend is to Erg Zahar. Dubbed the ‘screaming dunes’ after a grisly local legend, they’re even more remote than Erg Chigaga. It’s a four-day trek on foot with wild camping around a variety of desert landscapes. The circular route to the rolling dunes starts from M’hamid, following the Draa River, passing through a lush palm oasis dotted with crumbling mud-brick buildings, crossing stony hamada and the river bed, where there’s a surprising variety of desert vegetation, thanks to an underground water source.

Valley of the Roses trek

Mohamed El Guellouti

• Distance: Approx. 60 km
• Duration: Four days hiking
• Start/end point: Ait Youl to Bou Tharar
• Difficulty: Mild
• Accommodation: Gite homestays

The Valley of the Roses detours north from the Dadès Valley at Kalaat M'Gouna and is the heart of Morocco’s rose growing country. This hike follows the M’goun river as it weaves past thick bushes of the valley’s namesake damask roses with a stunning backdrop of traditional Berber villages and the remains of hilltop kasbahs. It’s an easy-going hike at lower altitudes than other Atlas Mountain treks, suitable for all abilities. It’s usually four days’ hiking, with the option of extending the trip into the Dadès Valley. Accommodation is in traditional gite-style homestays. Come in May to witness the rose harvest and local festivals.

Jebel Saghro Loop

Sarah Gilbert

• Distance: Approx. 90 km
• Duration: Four to five days
• Start: Boumalne Dades
• End: Kalaat M’Gouna
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Jebel Saghro is a mountain range located in the Anti-Atlas region of Morocco, between the High Atlas and the Sahara Desert. Vast barren plains, rocky peaks and deep gorges create a dramatic landscape that is great for exploring by foot.

The Jebel Saghro Loop is an off-the-beaten-path five-day trek that starts near Boumalne Dades and ends at Kalaat M’Gouna, passing through remote hamlets and palm groves, crisscrossing mule tracks and dry river beds. Guides are optional and it makes an ideal winter trek when other Moroccan ranges are covered in snow.

The trek’s challenges are mainly the variable terrain and the lack of water sources along the route but with a lower altitude it’s generally less strenuous than some of the treks in the High Atlas region.

Some highlights of the Jebel Saghro Circuit include the Bab n'Ali rock formations, the Afourer gorges, and the views from the top of Kouaouch. The trek also offers a chance to experience local Amazigh (Berber) culture, as the Jebel Saghro region is home to the Aït Atta tribe, one of the last nomadic tribes in Morocco.

M’Goun Traverse

• Distance: Approx. 50 km
• Duration: Five days
• Start: Aït Bougmez Valley
• End: Boutghrar
• Difficulty: Strenuous

Also centred around the serene Aït Bougmez Valley, the M'Goun Traverse is a more challenging version of the M'Goun Circuit. At around 50 km, it’s one of the more challenging treks in the High Atlas.

The pinnacle of the trek is the ascent to the M'Goun summit, the fourth-highest peak in Morocco. From its height of 4,071 metres, you’re treated to a panoramic view of the High Atlas range, a reward for the challenging climb. Descending from the summit, the trek continues through the fascinating Arous Valley, reaching its final point in the village of Boutghrar. Accommodation options are varied, including camping under the stars, mountain huts, and guesthouses.

Aït Bougmez Valley

Mandy Sinclair

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trek duration: Six to eight days
• Max. elevation: 2,600m
• Accommodation: Trekking refuges & homestay
• Start / end point: Agouti / Ouzoud

In addition to the M'goun Circuit there are a variety of other treks and day hikes in the Aït Bougmez Valley. Marketed as the “Happy Valley” thanks to its tranquil beauty and serene vibes, it’s dotted by Berber villages and towns that make the cultural immersion as fascinating as the landscapes.

The gentle slopes and walnut forests of the valley floor make for easy day hikes, whereas the surrounding peaks and ridges can offer more challenging treks. There’s a six day route from Agouti to the traditional village of Tabant, and an eight day route in the opposite direction from the Ouzoud waterfalls to Timit. Different operators offer their own specific routes, typically staying in simple gites or homestays.

Trekking in Iriqui National Park

Emily Burrows

• Best hike for: seeing the Sahara without the crowds
• Difficulty: Mild
• Trek duration: Four days
• Accommodation: Wild camping
• Start / end point: Mhamid

One of my favourite trekking destinations in the Sahara is the vast Iriqui National Park, the only national park in the Moroccan Sahara. The park was established 30 years ago but is not well publicised or well known to visitors, making it a real hidden gem.

My preferred route is a four day hike from Mhamid following the Draa Valley via the dune regions of Erg Zahar, Erg Sedrar and Erg Chigaga before reaching Iriqui. Wild mobile camps means we can set up away from the crowds, and you can either trek by foot or by camel.

You might be surprised by the amount of wildlife in Iriqui, although it is elusive and often nocturnal. Some desert species, such as the addax anteolope, have been reintroduced, while others appear to be increasing in numbers, such as the endangered Dorcas gazelle. It's also a great place for bird watching, depending on the time of year.

Talassemtane National Park Circuit

• Distance: Approx. 50 km
• Duration: Four days
• Start: Chefchaouen
• End: Chefchaouen
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Rif Mountains, towards Morocco's northern coast, see a tiny sliver of the visitors flocking to Toubkal and the High Atlas.

The Talassemtane National Park Circuit is a scenic, 50km route through the heart of the Rif Mountains.

Beginning and ending in the picturesque blue city of Chefchaouen, this route allows trekkers to experience both the vibrant city life and the serene wilderness of Morocco. The journey takes you through dense forests, rushing streams, and steep hills.

Talassemtane is one of the last refuges of the endangered fir tree of Morocco. As you hike, watch out for Barbary macaques, a native monkey species, amongst the trees.

The journey incorporates a blend of wild camping and staying in localgîtes, which is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the rural Moroccan lifestyle.

Jebel Sirwa trek

Mohamed El Guellouti

• Distance: Approx. 70 km
• Duration: Five days hiking
• Start/end point: Taliouine or Akhfamane to Tinfat
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Accommodation: Camping and gite homestays

The 3,305 metre Jebel Sirwa makes for a moderately challenging climb, mostly for the trail and sun conditions than the elevation gain itself. This trek involves about five days of hiking with mules and a mixture of wild camping and traditional gite homestays. The landscapes here are on the severe side, but the views over the Anti-Atlas range from Jebel Sirwa summit are incredible and even better: you’re unlikely to be sharing them with any other hikers.

Erg Chebbi trek

Jamal Idali

• Distance: Approx. 8 kilometres
• Duration: Four hours round trip, or camp overnight
• Start/end: Merzouga/Merzouga

For people who are short on time, or don't want to do too much trekking, I usually recommend the Erg Chebbi trek. From Merzouga it only takes two hours by camel (slightly longer if you prefer to hike). My advise is to set out late in the afternoon so we can catch a stunning sunset from atop the dunes. You can do it as a day trip, but nothing beats camping out under the stars!

This is a popular trek so you'll see plenty of other tourists here. If you want to go further afield I'd suggest trekking to Erg Chigaga instead.

AmeIn Valley day hikes

Mandy Sinclair

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  
• Trek duration: Day hikes or multi-day treks
• Start / end point: Tafraoute

The Berber heartland of Tafraoute, surrounded by the majestic rocky Anti-Atlas Mountains, provides a starting point for multi-day treks or day hikes through the beautiful AmeIn Valley.

You don’t have to wander far from Tafraoute’s town centre to spot millennia-old rock carvings of animals that remain throughout the region. Longer day hikes through the argan trees, which only grow in southwestern Morocco, and almond trees dot the landscape as trekkers wander between the more than 20 villages that make up the valley.

More experienced trekkers may opt for a multi-day trek that includes summiting Jebel Kest, the region’s highest peak, before returning to Tafraoute. Don’t miss the light over the rockscape as the sun sets and the range radiates magical hues of red.

The craggy rock and huge boulders around Tafraoute make the region very popular with rock climbers, who descend on the region between September and April. Combine some climbing with hiking in Morocco.

Erg Chigaga trek

Sarah Gilbert

• Distance: Approx. 57 kilometres
• Duration: Three or four days, around 3-6 hours trekking per day
• Start: M’hamid
• End: Erg Chigaga dunes

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous than a basic overnight desert camp, I can highly recommend trekking on foot – your luggage and supplies travel by camel – to the Erg Chigaga dunes. Itineraries vary depending on the operator, but it’s typically three or four days with at least one night wild camping at the dunes themselves. Good operators make the camps a surprisingly comfortable and well-catered experience. The standard route starts at M’hamid and follows the course of the now-dry Draa River, the longest in Morocco, passing abandoned settlements and on to the famous Erg Chigaga dunes themselves. Most itineraries return to M’hamid by 4x4 rather than trekking all the way back again!

Tichka Plateau Traverse

• Distance: Approx. 40 km
• Duration: Two days
• Start: Tizi-n-Tichka
• End: Telouet
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Tichka Plateau Traverse is a two-day trek covering around 40 km and set in the dramatic Atlas Mountains of Morocco. A moderate hike, it offers breathtaking panoramas and a unique insight into Berber life.

The route begins at Tizi-n-Tichka, the highest major mountain pass in North Africa, ending in Telouet, a small village with a historic Kasbah. The trail unveils an otherworldly landscape of stark, sun-baked mountains dotted with green valleys, winding rivers, and small Berber villages.

The traverse explores the wide-open expanse of the Tichka Plateau, noted for its sparse vegetation and lunar-like vistas. If you like solitude, this hike is perfect, as the high plateau is one of the most remote areas in the Atlas Mountains. The trek finishes with a visit to the Kasbah of Telouet, a palace once owned by a powerful feudal lord. Accommodation ranges from camping under the stars to local gîtes.

Todgha Gorge day hikes

Mandy Sinclair

Located in the eastern part of the Atlas Mountains and carved between the Todra and Dadès rivers, Todgha Gorge is a 300m deep fault that offers several excellent hiking routes.

Guides in Todgha Gorge are familiar with a day hike that leads to a nomadic family’s settlement, far from the village of Tinghir, which is often overrun with tour buses.

Leave the mudbrick village and lush farmland behind, wander through the limestone gorge and river that runs alongside, and begin the ascent to the rocky mountains that wind their way up along unexpected trails.

Views from the top provide stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. With only minimal scrub bush, start the hike early to avoid the heat of the midday sun. A guide is a must as are sturdy hiking boots and plenty of water.

Chefchaouen to Akchour Waterfalls day hike

The blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains is a fine base for Morocco walking holidays, although one that captures a fraction of the visitors of the Atlas Mountains.

A good day hike near Chefchaouen is to Akchour Waterfalls, in Talassemtane National Park.

There are two primary destinations: the smaller cascades (Petit Cascade) and the larger, more impressive waterfall (Grand Cascade), often referred to as the "God's Bridge". The trailhead starts at Akchour village and the route to the smaller cascades is fairly straightforward, taking about two hours one-way. The trail to the larger waterfall is a bit more challenging and can take up to three hours one-way.

Public transportation can be unreliable; a taxi may be preferable or you can arrange a guided hike.

Aït Bougmez Valley & M'goun Massif

Mandy Sinclair

Few hikers make it to Aït Bougmez, a valley running along the M'goun Massif in Morocco's Central High Atlas mountains. Those who do are rewarded with lush pastures, picturesque views across the valley and hospitable locals who don’t let language barriers get in the way—and some of the best trekking in Morocco.

Every spring, the nomadic Ait Atta tribes make a two-week trek to the Aït Bougmez Valley. Once here, they graze their herds in the valley’s rich pastures and sparkling rivers fed from glacial lakes before returning home for the winter. Avid trekkers can join for the transhumance (livestock migration), an activity that may be best done sooner rather than later given the decline of traditional nomadic life.

The village of Agouti is the starting point for a scenic three- or six-day trek to the M’Goun Massif, the second highest peak in Morocco (after Jebel Toubkal in the nearby Toubkal National Park). Hire a mountain guide to accompany you and plan to stay in gites along the way. This trek is best done from spring to fall, before the harsh winters descend on the valley.

Staying in the valley provides opportunity for day treks to a glacial lake where nomadic tribes graze their herds in the summer months, or multi-day treks traversing the valley. With little signage and few restaurants, it is best to visit with a Morocco trekking operator, or find your own trekking guide locally who will also coordinate muleteers and piping hot cuisine along the way.

Toubkal National Park

Mandy Sinclair

No round-up of Morocco trekking highlights can ignore Toubkal National Park in the High Atlas Range, the highest and most extensive stretch of the Atlas Mountains.

Home to Jebel (Mount) Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, this is by far Morocco's most popular hiking destination. It's a region of sparse, rocky and snow-capped (in winter) peaks and lush green valleys below with blossoming fruit trees in the spring, which make for some excellent trekking and hiking, although one that draws significant crowds.

While the tourism industry likes to push the two-day Mt Toubkal trek, I'd highly recommend making time for the six-day Toubkal Circuit trek.

The trailhead is just beyond the village of Imlil, where most visitors disembark to start their hike. Hiring a guide to accompany non-locals on the journey is a must, in fact, it’s mandatory. I’d suggest hiring an official guide to avoid any faux guides who may be hanging around en route. Licensed guides are typically local and undergo training to earn their certification to help trekkers navigate the way, the weather and organise supplies for the journey.

For a shorter hike, depart Imlil to wander through lush green valleys, climbing up to one of the mountainside Amazigh villages or an approximately six-hour trek to Sidi Chamharouch, a pre-Islamic pilgrimage site known for healing health issues or exorcising spirits.

From Marrakech, a day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls makes for a refreshing day out. The trail is easily marked, meaning just organise transport and you can easily follow the path to the canyon where two-tiered waterfalls cascade. Be mindful of the Barbary apes you may encounter while passing through the shaded areas.

Talassemtane and the Rif Mountains

Mandy Sinclair

Nestled in the heart of the Rif Mountains, the blue city of Chefchaouen and nearby Talassemtane National Park offer trekkers a welcome escape to the Toubkal bustle.

Once inside Talassemtane National Park, quiet paths wind through cedar forests, across high ridges and past tiny Berber villages. The main attraction here when hiking alongside, and sometimes through, the river was the awe-inspiring Bridge of God, a 30-metre high natural bridge connecting the canyon, where we swam in the waters below.

This is a popular spot in the summer months, particularly with vacationing locals. Nevertheless, when travelling in this region, I still hired a local guide who also organised transport.

For longer treks, a guide is highly recommended, not only to lead the way, but for organising donkeys to transport supplies, assisting with any unexpected medical emergencies, and they can often provide gear for the journey. The region is known for its (illegal) marijuana cultivation, and a guide will help you stay well aware of the areas that are best avoided.

Morocco's Atlantic coast

Mohamed El Guellouti

Most trekking in Morocco focuses on the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, but the country has a long coastline and a rich maritime history which can be explored on foot well away from the regular tourist trail. I like the stretch of coast south of Essaouira, you can spend four or five days here following the old Portuguese trade routes and visiting small fishing villages and beach towns along the way. Historical Essaouira itself is a good place to spend a night or two at the end of your hike.

M’hamid for Sahara adventures

Sarah Gilbert

M’hamid is the last Moroccan outpost before the Algerian border, where the road dissolves into sand and the desert takes over. It’s the jumping-off point for the dramatic dunes of Erg Chigaga, 60 kilometres to the west – around two hours by 4x4, or a thrilling three day trek by camel.

Erg Chigaga, Morocco’s longest and highest sand sea, ripples for around 40 kilometres with dunes topping 300m. It’s wilder and less visited than Erg Chebbi, and its camps are more isolated, but the off-road journey to get there is more expensive. On the way, there are stops at panoramic viewpoints and perhaps a mint tea break with desert nomads outside their goat-hair tent.

From your campsite, you can trek on foot or by camel, scramble up and sandboard down a towering dune, and savour the sunset and stellar desert views before stargazing from a carpet spread across the sand and music around the campfire. Look out for nocturnal wildlife: the fennec, with its enormous ears, is the smallest fox species, and sand cats are the only desert-dwelling felines. On a morning trek, your guide will point out its tiny tracks zigzagging across the dunes.

Anti-Atlas Range

Mandy Sinclair

Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean inland toward the Sahara Desert is the Anti-Atlas Range, another of Morocco's lesser-visited trekking locations.

Although technically part of the same geological system, the Anti-Atlas couldn't be any more different to the High Atlas. The peaks are much lower and the scenery is a semi-arid landscape of jagged mountains and rugged gorges.

Vastly fewer trekkers come here compared to the High Atlas, making this a refreshing change to the touristy bustle further north.

The Anti-Atlas Mountain town of Tafraoute, gateway to the stunning AmeIn Valley, is worth a visit for a night or two allowing for at least a day hike, or just a break for travellers heading to/from the Sahara Desert. Famous for its almonds, colourful babouche slippers particular to the region, and even as a starting point for cycling up to the blue rocks and spotting prehistoric rock carvings.

There are rewarding hikes around the AmeIn Valley, with most travellers starting in the village of Oumesnat and following paths that lead through neighbouring villages and pass argan and almond trees dotting the landscape. In the valley’s village of Asgaour, the rockface resembling a lion’s head is one to find amongst the craggy rocks.

The trails can be navigated without a guide, but be mindful of limited shade and strong sun. My advice is to visit with a trekking operator: it will be rare to find anyone speaking English and replenishing water and food supplies may be tricky. Pack sunscreen and snacks accordingly.

Erg Chebbi for accessible desert trekking

Sarah Gilbert

The village of Merzouga has accommodation to suit all budgets, and you can arrange everything from a sunset camel safari to sandboarding, quad biking, overnight camping and longer treks.

Erg Chebbi is Morocco’s most accessible stretch of Sahara, with dunes around 22 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide, reaching lofty heights of 160m in places. It is especially striking at sunset, turning from orange to pink and purple as the night sky glitters with stars. Then you might tuck into madfouna, or ‘Berber pizza’, a stuffed flatbread baked in a fire pit buried in the sand, before a campfire drumming session.

Campsites can be just 15 minutes from Merzouga by 4x4 or a couple of hours by camel. The downsides: convoys of vehicles dropping off people and supplies in high season, quad bikes overtaking camel caravans and being across a dune from another camp. If you want more solitude, choose your camp carefully or go out of season.

For a real hidden gem, the village of Khamlia, six kilometres south of Merzouga, is home to Dar Gnaoua, where musicians – including the renowned Les Pigeons du Sable – celebrate their sub-Saharan African roots, performing to an enthusiastic crowd, shaking krakebs (metal castanets) and keeping their hypnotic beat on tbel drums.

Jebel Sirwa

Mohamed El Guellouti

Jebel Sirwa in the Anti-Atlas range is another crowd-free alternative to Toubkal. The scenery here is classic Anti-Atlas landscapes of traditional Berber villages in green oasis valleys which give way to stark, rocky mountain peaks. The focal point for hikes here is Jebel Sirwa. At 3,305 metres the summit is a relatively straightforward climb but the harsh sun, a lack of shade and narrow, rocky paths make it a moderately challenging hike. One I’d recommend for seasoned hikers who want to do something different to the standard Toubkal or M'goun treks.

Dadès Valley

Mohamed El Guellouti

The Dadès Valley, a quiet corner in the ochre-walled oasis valleys between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges, draws a fraction of the hikers as Jebel Toubkal to the west or Jebel Saghro to the east. Much less touched by tourism, the settlements here follow a more traditional pace of life, with original berber villages and what remains of the valley’s “one thousand kasbahs” some of which date back to the 11th century.

My personal highlight, and possibly my favourite place to hike anywhere in Morocco, is the Valley of the Roses, which follows the M’goun River from Kalaat M'Gouna as it detours north from the Dadès Valley. Here, damask roses which were first planted by French settlers are harvested each May. It’s a deeply traditional and picturesque part of the country and one where you’ll be untroubled by other tourists.