Trekking in Morocco: Toubkal, M’Goun & Sahara Treks
Climb Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, reach the quiet summit of M’Goun, walk village to village in the Happy Valley or cross the Sahara dunes with camels. Our licensed local mountain guides, mules and cooks take care of everything, so you only carry a day pack.
6 guided treks · private dates on request
TrekkingClassic Toubkal Trek
Marrakech to the summit of Toubkal (4167 m), the highest peak in North Africa.
TrekkingBerber Villages & Toubkal Peak
Tamsoult valley, Agulzim pass and the Toubkal summit, with a guided tour of Marrakech.
TrekkingHappy Valley & M’Goun Summit
Climb M’Goun (4071 m), the second highest peak in North Africa, on old nomad paths.
TrekkingBougmaz Valley: Kingdom of the Berbers
Five easy hiking days village to village in the Happy Valley, with Ouzoud Waterfall.
Desert TrekSahara Desert Trek
Walk with camels across the dunes of M’hamid El Ghizlan and sleep in desert camps.
Trek & RelaxToubkal Challenge & Essaouira
A 3-day Toubkal ascent followed by relaxing days in the seaside town of Essaouira.
Guided Trekking Tours in Morocco
Our treks are led by licensed local mountain guides from the Atlas. Mules carry the luggage, our team cooks the meals, and you sleep in Berber guesthouses, mountain refuges or desert camps, so you only carry a small day pack.
Climb Toubkal in 3 days from Marrakech or on the quieter 6-day Berber villages route, reach the summit of M’Goun (4,071 m), walk village to village in the Happy Valley, or trek with camels across the dunes on our Sahara desert trek.
Our team is based in Azilal, at the foot of the central High Atlas, and our founder Marouane trained at the mountain guide school (CFAMM) in the Ait Bouguemez valley. We have walked these trails for years, and every trek can be booked as a private trip on your own dates.
Trekking in Toubkal: The Highest Peak in North Africa
Mount Toubkal rises to 4,167 m (13,671 ft) in the Toubkal National Park, about 65 km south of Marrakech. It is the most popular trek in Morocco: no technical climbing is needed in summer, yet standing on the roof of North Africa, with the whole High Atlas below you, is unforgettable.
Most treks start in the village of Imlil (1,740 m), about 1.5 hours by road from Marrakech. The classic route climbs the Mizane valley past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal refuge (about 3,200 m). After a night at the refuge you start early for the summit, then walk back down to Imlil.
The longer Berber villages circuit crosses the Tizi Mzik and Aguelzim passes and the Tamsoult valley before the summit. It gives you better acclimatisation, quieter trails and real village life. Trekkers in the national park are expected to go with a licensed guide.
Read the full Toubkal trek guide, also in French and German.
Which Toubkal trek?
- Classic Toubkal Trek – 3 days, Imlil, refuge and summit, from 380 €
- Berber Villages & Toubkal Peak – 6 days via Tamsoult and Aguelzim, from 600 €
- Toubkal Challenge & Essaouira – 7 days, summit then the ocean, from 680 €
- Toubkal Summit & Agafay by Bike – 8 days, trek plus 2 days cycling, from 1,050 €
Best time: April to June and September to October. From November to March there is snow and ice: crampons, an ice axe and winter experience are needed.
Trekking in M’Goun: Morocco’s Quieter 4,000 m Summit
M’Goun (4,071 m, 13,356 ft) is the second-highest mountain in North Africa, a long whale-backed ridge in the central High Atlas above the Ait Bouguemez, the “Happy Valley”. The area is part of the M’Goun UNESCO Global Geopark, and it is our home: our team lives in Azilal, at the foot of these mountains.
The M’Goun trek is longer and wilder than Toubkal. You sleep in camps and village guesthouses instead of a busy refuge, cross high passes such as the Aghouri (3,400 m) and the Tizi n’Ait Imi (2,900 m), and on most days you share the trail only with shepherds and nomad families on their summer pastures. The summit day is the hardest part, about 9 hours of walking, with views over the High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas and the Rose Valley.
Treks start from the Ait Bouguemez valley, about 5 hours’ drive from Marrakech, often with a stop at the natural bridge of Imi n’Ifri. Read our M’Goun trek guide and Happy Valley hiking guide.
Treks in the M’Goun region
- Happy Valley & M’Goun Summit – 8 days with 5 days on foot, from 950 €
- Bougmaz Valley: Kingdom of the Berbers – 8 days of easy village-to-village hiking, from 890 €
- Happy Valley, Lake & Ouzoud by bike – hike and bike, from 1,050 €
Best time: June to October for the summit. From November to May there is often snow on the high passes, so we recommend the lower Happy Valley trek instead.
Toubkal or M’Goun: Which Trek Is for You?
Both summits are above 4,000 m and neither needs technical climbing skills in summer. The difference is the trip around them. If you have only a few days, Toubkal is the easier choice. If you have a week and want a real expedition feel far from the crowds, M’Goun is hard to beat.
| Toubkal | M’Goun | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 4,167 m | 4,071 m |
| Start | Imlil, about 1.5 hours from Marrakech | Ait Bouguemez valley, about 5 hours from Marrakech |
| Days walking | 2 to 5 | 4 to 6 |
| Nights | Refuge or guesthouses | Camps and village guesthouses |
| Crowds | Busy in spring and summer | Very quiet |
| Best season | April–June, September–October | June to October |
| Our treks from | 380 € | 950 € |
More Ways to Trek in Morocco
Not every trek needs a 4,000 m peak. These routes are easier, and just as memorable.
Happy Valley (Ait Bouguemez)
A green valley of terraced fields, adobe villages and walnut trees in the central High Atlas. Five easy days walking from village to village, sleeping in family guesthouses, with a visit to the Ouzoud waterfalls. Perfect for families and first-time trekkers: see Bougmaz Valley: Kingdom of the Berbers.
Sahara Desert Trek
Walk with camels and nomad cameleers across the dunes of M’Hamid El Ghizlan, at the end of the Draa Valley, and sleep in desert camps under the stars. Easy walking, best from September to May. See our Sahara trek guide.
Trek & Relax
Climb Toubkal in three days, then rest your legs in Essaouira, the white-and-blue port town on the Atlantic coast, on our Toubkal Challenge & Essaouira trip.
Hike & Bike
Mix walking and cycling: summit Toubkal and ride the Agafay desert, or hike the Happy Valley and cycle to Bin El Ouidane lake and Ouzoud. See our bike tours in Morocco.
What Is Included in Our Treks
- Licensed local mountain guide
- Mules and muleteers to carry your main luggage
- Meals cooked by our team and mineral water during the trek
- Nights in guesthouses, refuges, camps or desert camps
- Transport from and back to Marrakech
- Private departures on your own dates
Exact inclusions are listed on each trip page.
What to Pack for a Trek in Morocco
- Broken-in hiking boots and camp shoes
- Fleece, down jacket and a windproof, waterproof shell
- Hat, gloves and a buff for summit mornings
- Sunglasses, sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Headlamp, trekking poles and a water bottle
- A 25–30 litre day pack (sleeping bag for camp treks)
Best Time for Trekking in Morocco
Spring (April to June) is ideal for Toubkal and the Happy Valley: green valleys, blossoms and mild days. Early in spring there can still be snow high up.
Summer (July and August) is hot in the valleys but pleasant at altitude. It is the main season for M’Goun, when the nomad families are on the high pastures and the passes are clear of snow.
Autumn (September to October) brings stable weather and clear views, a great time for both Toubkal and M’Goun, and the start of the desert season.
Winter (November to March) means snow and ice in the High Atlas, for experienced winter trekkers only with crampons and an ice axe. It is the best time to walk in the Sahara, which is too hot in summer.
See our month-by-month guide to the best time to trek in Morocco.
Reviews From Our Travellers
For the most amazing experiences, ask for Maruoane as your guide!
I've been on a dozen tours and Maruoane excels as the best guide. He truly cared about providing amazing local experiences, all while keeping us safe and entertained. I highly recommend!!!
— Guest review
Make memories with Marouane!
I experienced a 14 day tour with Marouane earlier this year. His expertise, professionalism and general knowledge of his native country exceeded all of my expectations. I highly recommend him as a guide and encourage anyone to experience magical Morocco!
— Guest review
Authentic Experience
Well organised, knowledgeable guide. Better than cookie cutter tours as they are flexible and customise as the tour progresses taking into account weather and how travellers are feeling. I felt like this group provided an authentic experience.
— Guest review
Trekking in Morocco: FAQ
How many days do you need to climb Toubkal?
The classic route from Imlil takes 2 to 3 days, with one night at the refuge (about 3,200 m) and an early start for the summit. Our Classic Toubkal Trek does it in 3 days from Marrakech. A 5 to 6 day route through Berber villages gives you better acclimatisation.
Can a beginner climb Mount Toubkal?
Yes, with good basic fitness and some hiking experience. The summer route is not technical, but the summit day is long, steep and rocky in places, and the altitude makes it harder. We grade our Toubkal treks moderate to hard.
Do I need a guide for trekking in Toubkal?
Yes. Trekkers in the Toubkal National Park are expected to go with a licensed mountain guide, and a guide is strongly recommended for safety on any High Atlas trek.
How high is Mount M’Goun and how long is the trek?
M’Goun is 4,071 m, the second-highest mountain in North Africa. Plan 4 to 6 days of walking from the Ait Bouguemez valley. Our M’Goun trek takes 8 days from Marrakech, with 5 days on foot.
Is the M’Goun trek harder than Toubkal?
The summit itself is not harder, but the whole trek is longer and more remote, with several nights in camps and a summit day of about 9 hours. We grade it moderate to hard.
When is the best time for trekking in Morocco?
April to June and September to October for Toubkal, June to October for M’Goun, and September to May for the Sahara desert trek.
Do I have to carry my luggage?
No. Mules carry your main bag and the camping gear on our mountain treks, and camels on the desert trek. You only carry a small day pack.
How much does a guided trek in Morocco cost?
Our treks start from 380 € per person for the 3-day Classic Toubkal Trek, 600 € for the 6-day Toubkal circuit, 890 € for the Happy Valley trek and 950 € for the 8-day M’Goun trek.
Can I book a private trek?
Yes. Every trek can be booked as a private trip for your family or group on the dates you choose, and we can build a custom route.
Plan Your Trip
Free guides written by our local team to help you choose the right route and season.
Climbing Mount Toubkal: The Complete Guide
Routes, difficulty, best season and what to pack for the highest peak in North Africa.
Read the guide → M’GounMount M’Goun Trek Guide
The route, difficulty and best season for Morocco’s quieter 4,000 m summit.
Read the guide → Happy ValleyHiking the Happy Valley (Ait Bouguemez)
Morocco’s Berber heartland: villages, easy hikes and the best time to go.
Read the guide → SaharaSahara Desert Trek in Morocco
Where treks start, a typical day with camels, the best season and what to pack.
Read the guide →Not sure which trek to choose?
Tell us your dates, level and ideas – our local team will suggest the best route or build a private trek for you. We reply within 24 hours.
Version française : Trekking au Maroc