Starting with the highest peak in the High Atlas Mountains with Djebel Toubkal (Jebel Toubkal), you’ll have to start your ascent in Armed (Armedi, Aroumd, or Aremd), a town that reminded one local traveler of “a reversed-mirror image of how Ait Ben Haddou probably used to look”. Most Morocco travel guide books describe the starting point at Imlil. This is somewhat of a falsity because Imlil is nothing more than a roadside stall where you can fuel up for your journey. Additionally, if you haven’t arranged one beforehand, there is a plentiful amount of Berber mountain guides available to take you to the summit. No set pricing system exists, but if you don’t hunt around and bargain, you could pay five times as much as someone else. Climbing to the summit of Toubkal, you’ll need one day to the refuge and another to summit and come back down to Armed (Armedi, Aroumd, Aremd) and Imlil. The peak sits at a whopping 4167 meters or well over 13,000 feet.

For those travelers who are not decently fit or who do not acclimate well to higher attitudes, you want to prepare yourself for the hike. Before you visit or take a tour in Morocco to do some climbing and hiking, whether it is in the Mount Toubkal National Park or elsewhere, it’s a good idea to be able to walk three to five hours at a time. Did we mention, uphill? For those who are fit, you’ll need to bring certain supplies with you. Comfortable hiking shoes or boots, along with clothes and gear that you can layer are highly recommended. A rain jacket, fleece, and breathable under garments are essential. If you are hiking in the winter months, it is a good idea to bring a tent, emergency blanket, and a below 0 degree sleeping bag. Winds can pick up and snow can blow without notice.

Additionally, unless you are quite savvy about hiking, trekking, and survival if the weather turns bad, it isn’t a bad idea to hire a local guide – one that has lived in the area his entire life. In the summer months, it might be less necessary. Remember, though, Toubkal can have snow on it from November through May each year. And, in summer, rains and sudden storms can wreak havoc. In the winter months, crampons are necessary. Hiking or walking poles are a great item worth their weight. Some of this gear can be rented in Imlil. Mountain guides will also bring along a mule guide and muleteer to carry baggage and supplies for an extra cost.

From Armed (Armedi, Aroumd, Aremd), you can start your ascent towards Sidi Chamarouch and towards the Toubkal Refuge. (BTW: If you are coming from March through June and September through December, book ahead if possible for your night (or two) in the Toubkal Refuge, once known as Refuge Neltner.) Here, you’ll run into the few people who actually live at the place and the other pilgrims who visit the shrine of near the waterfall to be healed or released from their impairment. Non-Muslims cannot cross the bridge that leads to the holy shrine.

Continuing onward, the trail continues for most hikers another three to four hours and eventually leads to the Toubkal Refuge, located snugly at 3207 meters, or well over half a mile high – the snow line in the latter spring months. The next morning after your initial ascent is the best time to venture up to the top of Djebel Toubkal (Jebel Toubkal). The most popular route that you can take (by hiring or following a guide) is called the South Cirque. It begins just behind the refuge and will take an average, fit hiker about three hours to summit. The more arduous track that many guides will not mention unless you are in top shape is the North Cirque route. On this route, you’ll not only be able to see the remains of a plane crash as a cairn. The final stage of getting to the top, on either route, requires some scrambling and in the winter, some snow hiking. But, zigzagging your way up, the ever-present pyramid tri-pod marks the top. Enjoy!

Source: Morocco Tours, Excursions, and News – Journey Beyond Travel, Morocco News