A Trekker’s Paradise: Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains

Trekking in and around Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains is the type of travel experience that will stick with you for a life time, and you will be among the favored travelers who share in this wonderful little secret.

When many travelers think of mountains, the old clichés of the Alps, the Himalayas and Everest, the Rockies, and the Andes come to mind. This is perfectly fine with those adventurers who love hiking through the mountains for a more challenging technical climb, but they love having the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco as their own personal secret. Trekking through the mountains in Morocco can lead to some of the most beautiful treks and views in the world, and it is a very popular destination among those travelers who want to see the world, and not just tourist traps.

...valleys, the Dades and Todra Gorges and villages give the land much of its stark beauty.

Perfect for hiking and trekking, the High Atlas Mountains are perfect year round. There are tall summits that reach beyond 13,000 feet, but the trails and paths allow for the average hiker to trek through the area and at least make it to the refuge without much difficulty. No technical rock climbing or mountain climbing expertise is needed: so if you are simply in shape and starving for a great hike in a far away land—the paths through the Atlas Mountains may be exactly what you are looking for.

Any good trek will include stops at some of the famous valleys, gorges, and villages that give the land much of its stark beauty. The villages of Imlil and Armed are one of the most popular stops along the many hiking trails of the High Atlas Mountains. Imlil is a little roadside village that is fairly beautiful regardless of the season. Up the path from Imlil to Armed are groves of apple, cherry, peach and walnut trees; these groves having existed for as far as anyone can remember. These two villages are the last stop before the travel guide of Morocco claims that no more villages can be found, but still offers various options for excellent hikes in the area from towns to valleys to mountain peaks and lakes—all these jewels are accessible from this town.

The Ourika Valley runs through the Atlas Mountains, named after the Ourika River that carves it out. This is a popular summer destination, as the landscape will be green and beautiful, and quite surprising to many first time visitors to Morocco who imagine the sand dunes of the Sahara everywhere. For them, the site of this beautiful valley can be quite startling indeed! Certain roads in the Ourika Valley lead to Setti Fatma, a town famous for having seven waterfalls, and one that attracts adventurous trekkers because of the combination of natural beauty and laid back mood of the town.

There are many paths throughout all of these valleys and through the mountains themselves. If you go along a guided path, usually there will be donkeys or other beasts of burden to carry most of the equipment, leaving you only needing a light basic pack. Though you do not need to be a professional mountain climber to hike the High Atlas trails, you do need to be in good shape to endure some of the trails. These are serious hikes, and if you are not used to outdoor activities, it might be a good idea to get yourself into some habits before hand, like walking, minor hikes, or an exercise bike just to prepare yourself for several consecutive days of trekking at high altitudes.