Trekking in Morocco

Atlas Mountains

M'goun Circuit trek

By 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.

Atlas Mountains

Jebel Saghro Loop

By 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.

Atlas Mountains

Aït Bougmez Valley

By 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.

Talassemtane National Park

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.

Atlas Mountains

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.

Sahara Desert

Erg Zahar trek

By 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.

Tafraoute

AmeIn Valley day hikes

By 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.

Sahara Desert

Erg Chigaga trek

By 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!

Atlas Mountains

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.

Todra Gorge

Todgha Gorge day hikes

By 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.

Dadès Valley

Dadès Valley day hikes

By Mandy Sinclair

The backdrop to the picturesque Dadès Valley leading to the Dadès Gorge is one of mesmerising rock formations, known locally as the ‘monkey fingers’.

Often a short stopover en route to the Sahara Desert, it’s worth scheduling at least a half-day trek climbing through the rocks, lush valleys and little bridges with the river running beneath.

A local guide is a must as the paths are unmarked. Bus agencies drop passengers in the nearby town of Boulemane and comfortable hostels are available throughout the valley and closer to the gorge.

Talassemtane National Park

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.

Tanaghmeilt

Ouzoud waterfalls day hike

By Mandy Sinclair

• Best hike for: Easy-going day trip
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trek duration: Half a day
• Start / end point: Marrakech or Tanaghmeilt

An easy (and very popular) day hike in the Aït Bougmez area is to the Ouzoud waterfalls, or Cascade Ouzoud as they're known locally.

This hike makes for a pleasant day trip from Marrakech any time of the year. Located 2 ½ hours drive from Marrakech, these stunning 110m waterfalls tumble down red rock cliffs. Start this easy hike at the top where the flowing river cascades into the basin 600m below. Follow the pathway down to the base of the waterfall, encountering cheeky Barbary macaques that will happily accept a peanut or two along the way.

The trek takes about an hour, but sitting at the base and admiring the waterfalls from below and enjoying the cooling mist is satisfying.

Travel agents organise both private and group excursions daily. The area is not accessible by public transport, but the local guest houses in Tanaghmeilt can arrange private transport for travellers wishing to extend their visit beyond one day.

Sahara Desert

Erg Chebbi trek

By 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.

Sahara Desert

Trekking in Iriqui National Park

By 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.