Toubkal Ascent Trek

Toubkal ascent Trek: 1 night or 2 nights / 2 days

Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous*

Day 1: Imlil - Aremd - Mizane Valley - Toukbal Refuge

Drive from your accomodation  to Imlil. Here we leave our vehicle and, in the company of our mountain guide, begin our trek, heading along the Mizane Valley, first towards the village of Aremd. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). The village sits beside a small waterfall, a jumbled cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3,206m), our stop for the night. (About 4 to 5 hours' walk.)

Day 2: Toukbal Refuge - Jebel Toubkal - Imlil

Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiate a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts.However, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Retracing our steps we then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil.

*NOTE

Please bear in mind the unpredictable climate and weather, the steepness of the ascent, the need for good quality equipment and the altitude of Toubkal (approximately 3 times the height of the highest peak in the UK). There is a danger of altitude sickness if you have not been sufficiently acclimatised beforehand. All these factors mean that the ascent should not be attempted without careful consideration.