Morocco is undoubtedly the most interesting trekking ground in the Maghreb, the most varied also alternating high desert mountains, green valleys, dry canyons, oases and dunes. In the hollow of the valleys, the Berber villages welcome hikers with their legendary hospitality. A great opportunity to exchange and discover the Berber traditions that are still alive. After 8 trips to Morocco, here are the top treks in Morocco.
Ascent of Toubkal
The best known, most borrowed route in Morocco, the Toubkal trek is however a great classic that I did not do. According to many people who climbed it on a 2, 6 or 12 day trek, it’s splendid. Depending on the duration of the trek, we start D’Imlil (2-day version), Oukaimedem or Aguersioual (1 week version) but other options are possible and for the longest trek, there are even more variants.
Eastern High Atlas
Departing from Imilchil in the Eastern High Atlas, you can join the Aït Bougmez valley in 10 days of Morocco trekking. A route very little taken in its most eastern part to the Taghia gorges known for climbing.
The route is a mixture of high mountains, deep gorges and inhabited villages where Berber hospitality is observed every time. In the mountains, we meet shepherds and nomads several times.
The Aït Bougmez valley
Softer, the Aït Bougmez valley, the “happy valley”, lends itself to pretty walks through fields and villages. It is not really a Morocco trek or it must be joined to a wider route as on my ascent of M’Goun or in the Eastern High Atlas.
You can even stay there for a week on one of your trips to Morocco. From an ecolodge, you explore across the valley and even a little beyond: the Aït Boulli valley or the Izourar plateau.
Great crossing of the High Atlas
This is the trek you would like to do. In the catalog of major international trekking agencies, the route begins in Iskattafen on the heights of Aït Bougmez.
In 17 days of walking, head for Imlil. On the way, ascent of M’Goun, Anghomar and Toubkal (at the end) and passage through the Tessaout valley. A major route.
Saghro mountains
We take the southern route for the next 5 treks. Starting with the djebel Sargho, sometimes nicknamed the Moroccan Hoggar. It is a pre-Saharan massif that will appeal to lovers of minerality: tabular plateaus, basalt columns and dry wadis make up the landscape.
It is not uncommon depending on the season to meet Aït Atta nomads.
Djebel Siroua
Another massif in the Anti-Atlas, the Jebel Siroua trek is a route that excited me. Not many people are going to walk there, it is incomprehensible, especially as it is the only region in Morocco to grow saffron. The 5-day trek starts from the village of Tamazight and ends in Ifrane. The massif is inhabited in its northern and southern part where we cross beautiful villages in earth houses surrounded by almond trees. In the center, it is the silence of the mountain that accompanies hikers. A real favorite !
Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute
The Tafraoute mountains are the 3rd massif which constitutes the Anti-Atlas. But unlike Siroua and Saghro, the Tafraoute sector is wetter because it is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. According to recent rainfall, the landscapes are more or less green, which offers a striking contrast between the green of the valleys and the pink of the rocks. Again, few hikers in this beautiful area.
Draa dunes and oases
Let’s finish this top 10 treks in Morocco with two desert routes. Leaving from the oasis of Draa, we discover the abundant life of this string of adobe villages and then step by step into the desert. The weekends at the heart of the Erg Houidi dunes before joining the Ksar of Bouno and the palm grove of Oulad Idriss.
