Toubkal circular via Oussaden

Day 1: Imi Oughlad – Tizi N’Tachte – Tiziane. Starting at our trailhead of Imi Oughlad (1,450m) with the Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167m the highest peak in North Africa, Aglzim (3,650m) and Aksoual (3,884m), looming before us, we meet up with muleteers and the guide. We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2 hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks, passing by cornfields pine woods and juniper to the Tiz n’tachete (2,000m), where we shall stop to look back down on the Imlil and Ait Oussaden valleys before carrying on for another half hour to Imi n’ifri and our picnic. After lunch we take a slow hike for about 2 and half hours south-west down along a dirt track to Assif n’ Ait Oussaden and the red clay terraced village of Tiziane (1,750 m) for our accommodation in Berber house or bivouac (depending of the season).

Day 2: Tiziane – Tizi N’Taghrhourte – D’knt. After breakfast we set off on our hike up along the Assif n’ait Oussaden valley, passing through the walnut groves, up to Tizi n’Touti (1,995m) and through to a rare almost flat stretch arriving at Assaka Spring, where we stop for our picnic amidst and awesome silence. After some 2 and half-hours relatively easy walking, our afternoon’s hike takes us down along the edges of the forest until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1,870m)for our overnight in a Berber house (winter season) or carry on to Agouns for our camp (summer).

Day 3: D’knt – Tizi n’Tagdalte – Tizi Oussem. We set off for our morning’s 4 hour hike up through groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley to greet the many sheep and goat herders – and women and children bent over with 20kg loads of faggots and dried herbs. We traverse the Tizi n’Tagdalte descending amongst the juniper trees until we come to a small spring set amongst the trees, where we will stop for our picnic. Once refreshed, we are off down winding tracks of upper slopes for some 3 hours to a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif n’ait Oussaden. From here we enter the village of Tizi Oussem (1,850m) then up to the summer village Of Tamsoult for our camp.

Day 4: Âazib Tamsoult -Tizi Aguelzim - Toubkal Refuge. After breakfast, we set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3,550m), thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3,207m, where we shall have our dinner in a bivouac around the refuge.

Day 5: Toubkal Refuge - Summit Jbel Toubkal - Sidi Chamharouch – Imlil. A very early breakfast to set out around 6am, for a three hour steep climb to the highest peak in the Maghreb (4,167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. Whenever you are ready, we shall take the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward 2 to 3 hour descent back to the refuge for a picnic. The trail continues down to Imlil where you will pick up your transport back to your accommodation.

*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.

**Please Note: Naturally Morocco's treks are only available as part of an itinerary booked through us that includes accommodation and transport.**