Morocco’s Best National Park Boasts Waterfalls and the Highest Peak in North Africa

Plus green valleys, Berber villages, and lots of mint tea, all close to Marrakech.

Morocco might fetch to mind gorgeous buildings charm by Arab , African , and European cultures . Or you might think ofexpertly spiced tagineand mint teatime poured from ornate antique argent teapots , which are at the center of human connective here . And if you ’re favourable enough to have experienced them , you ’ll probably reckon the astral landscapes , like those found atToubkal National Park .

Just 1.5 hour from bustling Marrakech lies complete polarity to the city ’s disorderly , pulsing vibration of the dark securities industry and opulently tiled riads . Only 43 sea mile south of the urban metropolis is some of the most visually stunning hiking on the African continent , thanks to North Africa ’s eminent mountain , Toubkal . come up to 13,671 foot and surrounded by quaint traditional Berber villages , the majestic view receive you into the tranquil valley of the High Atlas Mountains .

Toubkal is Morocco ’s first national parking lot . It was established in 1942 to protect not only the rich forest of holm oaks , cedars , and junipers , but also the many vulnerable and endangered species that call it home , like the Bearded Vulture , the Barbary Sheep , and the Magot Monkey . Toubkal may be the tall summit within the interior park boundaries , but there are several other summits with heights towering over 12,000 feet , offering options from the unsubdivided cruisy hike to a pushover at a falls to tight multi - day hikes to summit peaks .

Toubkal

intotheworldmap/Shutterstock

While Morocco is statistically a safe country to travel in and is fill up with welcoming topical anesthetic , that does n’t entail it ’s always the easiest country to sail as a outlander — particularly if you do n’t speak any Arabic , Berber , French , or Spanish . But that should n’t dissuade you from exploring Toubkal . Here ’s all the basic information you need to full enjoy the kinky wad air , hilly plateaus , and inscrutable vale carved by semitransparent water .

Best time of year to visit Morocco’s Toubkal National Park

While Toubkal National Park is open twelvemonth around , if you desire warm temp and the green foliation of the forest , the good fourth dimension to visit is from May to October . The stale season lasts from January to late April and make no mistake , it can get frostily dusty . That means snowfall and sometimes a lot of it . Also to notewhen planning any stumble to Moroccois Ramadan , which is practiced by almost all locals . During the month of fast , which starts towards the end of March , Muslims are disallow from drinking , eating , and smoking from sunrise to sunset . During this sentence , traveler are also further to avoid eat on and drink in world out of respect for the local culture .

How to get to Toubkal

Toubkal Park is approachable from the Ourika Valley . If you are n’t traveling with a rental machine , you could take a deal hack from Marrakech to Imlil ( a charming and brisk rural small town located at the final stage of the Mizane Valley that ’s the main al-Qa’ida for Toubkal visits ) . These rides take around an hour and a one-half . The partake in taxis leave from a little marketplace just a few blocks south of the Bab - er - Rob . ( Note : Bus 35 from the Medina goes there , but it ’s likely easier to get a direct ride from a meter taxi in town . ) Some on-line templet say that you have to alter transport at Asni , but that ’s no longer reliable . If you have a rental machine and require to make a plosive , Asni is a good choice to fuel up on roadside tagine , and it has a busy Saturday souk . Once you are inside the park , you’re able to only get around on foot or on the back of a scuff .

10 Stunning Places to Explore in Morocco, Beyond Marrakech

Hike a couple hours or two days to the top

In the townspeople of Imlil , there is a mountain guide bureau right next to the parking lot where the taxis park . Here , a bunch of locals will most likely approach you , eagerly wanting to guide you to the refuge or to trade you a map . You do n’t need a single-valued function — they are expensive and the info is not always the most accurate . General advice is to not go with the first person who approach you ; instead , take your time to find a dependent guide you like ( you could even hire a doorman if you want someone to bear equipment and food supplies higher into the mountains ) . All prescribed guides have a professional card issue by the Ministry of Tourism , so you may ask to see that .

While Toubkal is a mountain peak , it is much more of a moderate hike than a technical climb . To ascend to the summit requires two days , although you may choose to not breast and make it a mean solar day hike .

From Imlil , visitant first hike about five or six hour to basecamp , which is at around 10,000 feet , and then pass the dark resting at one of the refuges there . Early the next daytime is when most start the real climb of the journey , about three hr rising , ending in sweeping scene of the Atlas Mountains , if the conditions allows . To get back down to basecamp shoot about two or three hours , but most climbers prefer to keep walk and get a well - deserved eternal rest at a guesthouse in Imlil ( which adds an extra four or five hr walkway from basecamp ) .

national park near marrakech

Maleo Photography/Shutterstock

The North Circuit is a more thought-provoking route and only commend for more experient climbing iron . It takes about 4.5 hour longer , but comes with the quirky bonus of bring forth to see the remains of a crashed airplane .

If none of this sounds like your eccentric of adventure , the Tamadote Green Circuit is a myopic pick ( less than four knot , so around two hour ) . This one will take you through shaded forest and you could picnic under the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with incredible views .

How Moroccan Women Are Taking Tourism Into Their Own Hands

Make time for petroglyphs and waterfalls

There ’s an clear - air petroglyph site just at the entrance to Oukaimede , with 5,000 - year - old paradigm depicting groundless animals , domesticated animal , arm , warriors , and panorama from run expeditions and battle . topical anaesthetic will probably wander over to you when you go far , offer to show you around for a small tip . Though a guide is n’t necessary ( you could wait for the minuscule stakes that mark the location of the most important carvings ) , for the few dirham it would be you , the local anesthetic would really appreciate your documentation and you could get insights on the chronicle of the region that you would n’t get on your own .

There are also two illustrious falls to visit , Cascades d’Irhoulidene and Imlil Cascades . cascade d’Irhoulidene tumbles down a cliff for more than 65 feet above the Azib Tamsoult refuge . It ’s a full - twenty-four hours tramp from Imlil and is often used as an acclimation day en itinerary to climbing Toubkal .

The hike to Imlil Cascades is a shorter one that takes just a couple of hours . The path is rough and uphill to the falls , but weave through walnut tree groves along the irrigation channel that keep this vale so plush . The crepuscle themselves are gorgeous with numerous drops , and you’re able to go your mode up and down the multiple dip pools . Nearby there are vendor selling tonic Orange River succus or , of row , the ever - present Moroccan mint tea .

high atlas mountains

Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock

Where to stay and other important logistics

There are many huts at the Toubkal National Park to rest or drop the dark , but to avoid any last minute surprises , you should hold out front . you may find more information about the usable accommodations on theToubkal National Park prescribed site . Like a lot of information in Morocco , it ’s in French , so unless you ’re silver-tongued , you ’ll have to use Google Translate .

In 2018 , there was an fortuity on the mountain . Since then , the local authorization at the Toubkal Park launch many more rigid security department amount to ensure all climbers are safe . No one can begin their ascent of Mount Toubkal after 3 atomic number 61 . Tents are not allowed , as you have to spend the night at an authorized station and be accompanied by a qualified local guide .