With its many rugged mountain peaks, hidden valleys and isolated Berber villages, Morocco’s countryside is best explored on foot.

Though not the most popular trekking destination in Morocco, the High Atlas Mountains are an appealing destination for both amateur hikers interested in easy strolls through cedar forests or well-seasoned trekkers looking for multi-day, strenuous hikes up and over Morocco’s highest mountains. Due to its high elevation, you probably won’t run into crowds of people on the trails, though there are many outfitters who run tour groups through this region.

This mountainous area is called Idraren Draren by the Berber people who inhabit the country, which means “mountains of mountains.” When you arrive in Morocco’s High Atlas region, you will understand why. The High Atlas range runs diagonally through Morocco from the Atlantic Coast to Agadir in the northeast with more than 400 summits nearly 10,000 feet high. There are even a handful that are higher than 13,000 feet. It is very possible to summit a number of these peaks as you traverse the High Atlas Mountains.

First and foremost, many trekkers seek out Mount Toubkal (also known as Jbel Toubkal). At 13,665 feet in elevation, this mountain is the highest in Morocco. M’Goun is the country’s second highest peak and is easy to trek in summer if you are in good physical condition, though freak snowstorms and fierce winds are possible anytime of the year.

Reaching the peaks is not the only reason you should consider trekking the High Atlas Mountains, though. In the lower elevations, expect to find forests filled with plants and wildlife. Barbary monkeys are frequently spotted in the valleys and gorges, and several bird species also call the High Atlas Mountains home.

Both Mount Toubkal and M’Goun are often part of a 10-12 day, 120-mile trek that winds in and out of river valleys and past Berber villages. Hiring a local guide for such a hike greatly increases your chances for success … plus you’ll have more time to enjoy the trek without having to worry about the logistics. Local guides are able to provide gear and have intimate knowledge of the sometimes confusing trails in the High Atlas Mountains. They will also make sleeping arrangements, which may either involve camping or staying in quarters in local Berber villages.

Due to the elevation of the mountain range, it is best to be in shape before leaving for your trek. Gradually increasing the difficulty of hikes near your home—especially those of high elevation—will help prepare you for the more difficult stretches on the trail.

If you’re interested in hiking during your Morocco vacation but you’re not set on conquering the highest peaks, there are also plenty of options for exploration in the Mid Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains.

Posted by JoAnna Haugen, managing editor at Journey Beyond Travel and author of Kaleidoscopic Wandering.

Photo by frenchselfcatering.com.

Tagged as: high atlas mountains, mgoun, mount toubkal, Trekking