Do trekking in Morocco
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Do you want to experience a trek hike during your trip to Morocco? Are you coming to Morocco exclusively to experience a trek in the heart of nature? We advise you on the places where it is possible to trek in Morocco as well as the best trekking seasons depending on each region.
A trek in Morocco: between Atlas and desert
Morocco is a destination of choice for trekking and hiking enthusiasts. Thanks to the exceptional diversity of its landscapes, the country offers unique experiences, ranging from the dunes of the Sahara to the snowy peaks of the Atlas, passing through green valleys and wild volcanic massifs. Whether you are a beginner hiker or experienced trekker, Morocco offers routes suitable for all levels.
In this article, discover the main regions where to trek in Morocco, with a focus on the desert and the most beautiful valleys and massifs of the Atlas: Toubkal, the Valley of Roses, the Valley of Dadès, the Saghro and the Siroua.
Trek in the Atlas
The ascent of the highest peak in the Atlas: Toubkal
Reaching 4,167 meters above sea level, Jebel Toubkal is the highest point of Morocco and all of North Africa. Located in the central High Atlas, about 60 km south of Marrakech, this mythical summit attracts each year thousands of hikers and climbers, seduced by an accessible sporting challenge and spectacular landscapes. The main starting point for the ascent is the Berber village of Imlil, perched at about 1,740 m altitude.
What is the best season for a trek in Toubkal?
Toubkal can have snow from November to April. It is passable all year round but better to avoid the months of full winter from December to February.
Is a guide mandatory for the ascent of Toubkal?
Since 2019, for security reasons, the presence of an approved guide has become mandatory. You will find in Imlil the guides' office. He will advise you on the equipment to take with you and on the weather for the desired period.
How long for the ascent of Toubkal?
The ascent of Toubkal can be addressed to all athletes, whether you are occasional hikers or seasoned athletes. But depending on your level, it is advisable to do this trek in 3 days and 2 nights if you are occasional hikers. However, with good training and a good physique, you can do it in 2 days and 1 night.
The volcanic massif and the lands of saffron: the Siroua
Le Siroua, the highest point of this massif at 3304m, is located in the Anti-Atlas area, on the edge of the High Atlas. This makes it the highest peak of the Anti-Atlas. Located north of Taliouine, the capital of Moroccan saffron, it is an ancient volcano surrounded by very varied volcanic reliefs and which are a pleasure for geologists and rock lovers. In addition to these fascinating mineral landscapes, it is also a place of resplendent nature: almond trees, orchards, palm groves, saffron fields. And dotted with small Berber villages where you will be warmly welcomed. A trek in the Siroua massif is therefore ideal for nature lovers and for all levels of hikers. You will live a journey in all authenticity on these trails, guided by your mule driver and his mules. Contact us if you wish to come explore these magnificent landscapes for a trek starting from 2 nights or more.
Land of the Ait Atta: the Saghro massif
Let’s stay in the mountains of the Anti-Atlas (this chain south of the High Atlas), but this time to the west of Ouarzazate, between the Dades and the cities of Nkob and Alnif. This region of the Atlas is much more mineral than the massif of Siroua because it is more arid, and therefore less inhabited. It is nevertheless the home of the tribe of the Ait Atta, known for still maintaining pastoralism with their herds of goats and sheep, which move in nomads throughout the seasons. Its volcanic past has shaped these landscapes in an unusual way and shows all the incredible geological history of this region.
This massif allows long hikes over several days and really accessible to all regular walkers because the elevation changes are less important than other regions of the Atlas. During a trek in the Sagrho you will be led to sleep in a cottage in the few small villages or bivouac itinerant, whose equipment will be transported by the mules.
The valley of roses: green jewels of the Atlas
For lovers of color and contrasting landscapes, the valley of roses is made for you, for an incredible trek. Located at the start of Kelaat M'Gouna, this valley begins with orchards and green crops. It is here that the luxurious Damask rose, which gives its name to the valley, is cultivated. In April and May, the valley comes alive and perfumes to the rhythm of the harvest of flowers intended for luxury perfumery and cosmetics. The trails run along the plantations and small Berber villages. Then little by little, the landscape changes to make way for the canyons of M'Goun, you will find yourself at the foot of its immense walls with ochre colors, sometimes crossing the stream. A place of freshness much appreciated in summer.
Finally, your stages lead you up on the plateaus with panoramic views of the Atlas and M'Goun which culminates at more than 4000m. We propose you to explore this magnificent valley for a large part of the year: Trek in the valley of roses.
Trek in the desert
How to go to Morocco without discovering the desert? We talk about the great desert, the Sahara. Where the sand dunes and lunar landscapes begin, covering all of northern Africa. The Sahara Desert is one of the natural wonders to see at least once in a lifetime. Morocco is the ideal place to discover all its beauties safely, surrounded by warm and caring nomads.
What are the different deserts in Morocco?
The desert areas in Morocco are located on the eastern borders of the country as well as at the extreme south. These are the gates to the Sahara, the first dunes of the largest hot desert in the world. We will be able to distinguish 3 large dune complexes:
• Erg Chebbi at the gates of Merzouga
• the Iriki desert between Foum Zguid and M'Hamid, including the most well-known dunes of Erg Chegaga
• Western Sahara, around Dakhla
You will surely also hear about the Agafay desert. It is a reg, a desert of stones, created for tourism about 30km from Marrakech. You will not find neither sand dunes nor trekking places.
Do a trek to erg Chebbi from Merzouga?
Do you plan to travel between Marrakech and Fes through the valleys of the Atlas? Do you want to trek in the dunes from Merzouga? The Erg Chebbi is a long strip of sand about 22km long and 5km wide. It is mainly intended for tourist activities such as quad and buggy outings, overnight excursions. The high attendance of places and the small size of this space do not allow to go for several days of hiking trek in the dunes of Merzouga.
Do a trek in the dunes of Chigaga?
The Erg Chigaga or Chegaga is the tourist name that was given to a large dune area. It is advisable to specify a little the geography to better understand the different trekking possibilities available to you:
• the dunes of Chegaga: located about 50km from M'Hamid El Ghizlane
• the dunes of Iriki : the northern part of the dunes, towards the old lake Iriki
• the erg Zahar : the southern part of the dunes, south of the wadi Draa
The Erg Chegaga and its surrounding dunes
The dunes of Chigaga include among them the highest dune in Morocco which rises to 300m. This is what makes it a major tourist attraction. They are accessible by 4x4, motorcycle, dromedary or on foot. All around the large dune, you will find fixed bivouacs for overnight excursions. This space, although touristy, nevertheless remains more calm and wild than Merzouga. It is possible to do a trek around the dunes of Chegaga, moving away a little from the large dune to find calm. We offer for example a trek that will allow you to leave from M'Hamid to connect with the dunes of Chegaga and finish your trek with a comfortable night in a bivouac at the foot of the large dune: Trek 5 days 4 nights from M'Hamid to Foum Zguid
The dunes of Iriqui
Different ergs make up this region which is located to the north of Chegaga and border the bed of the old lake Iriqui, now dried up. We can notably mention the Erg El Mhazil, the Erg El Ghoule, the Erg El Haj Ahmed. These are dunes that have remained very wild and preserved, far from tourist structures. There are some fixed bivouacs at the Erg El Mhazil belonging to the nomads of the El Mhazil tribe: the best bivouac in the dunes of Iriqui
North of these dunes, at the foot of Jbel Bani, natural border between the Atlas and the Sahara, we find the only village of all this immense region of Foum Zguid in M'Hamid: Zaouiat Sidi Abdenabi. The founding members of our agency Desert Foum Zguid are from this region and the village and it is with pride that they perpetuate the nomadic lifestyles in an authentic way. You will be able to enjoy a varied program to go trekking in this wildest and least touristy area of the Moroccan desert:
And many other possibilities to discover here or tailor-made
The erg Zahar, south of the wadi Draa
From M'Hamid, a long dune space extends to the dunes of Erg Zahar. It is the privileged starting point for many agencies because access is easier and more direct than the dunes of Iriqui, for example. These treks will lead you to different places such as Sidi Naji, Bousnina, Erg Smar. Accompanied by nomads from the region, their stays remain traditional, although sometimes on very traveled paths.
Conclusion
Whether you are more mountain or rather desert, Morocco offers you exceptional natural spaces for trekking. You will even be tempted to come back several times for these different places all as amazing as each other. What will guide your choice will also be the level of sportsmanship sought and the season in which you plan to travel. Need us to organize your trek? Need information? As specialists in trekking, we will be happy to answer you: contact us.