What You Should Know Before You Climb Mount Toubkal

This incredibly underestimated summit stands 4,167m above sea level, Mount Toubkal otherwise known as Jebel Toubkal – is the roof of North Africa, the highest peak in the epic Atlas Mountains. It really is an awesome adventure, one that I hold very close to my heart.

I first climbed Toubkal in April 2022 as a first time trekker. I slightly (maybe majorly) underestimated the challenge that lay in front of me. But with a handful of grit and resilience, I conquered the peak. I vowed to never do this trek again…so of course I naturally went back 8 months later…that’s what you’re meant to right???

So having completed this trek twice in two very different conditions and states of fitness/mindset, I thought it would be appropriate to share everything I’ve learnt and how YOU can be as prepared as possible.

Where is Mount Toubkal?

Toubkal, also known as Jebel Toubkal, can be found in the southwest of Morocco, in the appropriately named Toubkal National Park. Standing at 4,167 meters (that's 13,671 feet for ya!), it's not just the highest peak in Morocco, but in the whole Atlas Mountains, North Africa, and even the Arab world! You can spot this bad boy about 63 kilometers (or 39 miles) south of the city of Marrakesh where you will land at the start of your trip, and let me tell ya, it's not easy to miss. Toubkal has got some serious bragging rights, being the highest peak for over 1,200 miles. From the summit, on a clear day, you’ll get some awesome views of the Sahara desert.

How long does it take to climb Mount Toubkal?

Climbing Mount Toubkal itself takes 2 days, depending on which trek you choose. You can complete this adventure in a weekend or over 8 days with time to experience the incredible hospitality of the Berber people and spend some time in Marrakech.

Weekender Itinerary

• Day 1 - Upon arrival in Marrakech, a member of the EverTrek team will be there to welcome you at the start of your adventure and drive you to our lodge in the Berber village of Imlil 1740m where you will spend your first night in the Atlas mountains. The journey takes around 1 1/2 hours to reach Imlil where you will have some spare time to explore the village and the surrounding area depending on what time of day you arrive.

• Day 2 - Today we wake up early and hike the Berber tails up through the Mizane Valley to the holy shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. Here we can take some time to appreciate this special place which is a site of pilgrimage for many Moroccans. After a short rest, we then start to gain some real altitude as the trail slowly takes us up towards 3206 meters and our ultimate goal of the day, the Toubkal Refuge. This is the main base for everyone heading to the summit of Mt Toubkal and is an exciting hub of energy as fellow trekkers all rest and watch the sunset before the excitement of summit day.

• Day 3 - Summit Day! There is nothing quite like waking up on summit day! You'll leave the refuge still under the cover of darkness, head torches leading the way. The trail immediately steepens as you ascend a scree slope and the thin air makes the climb a little tough but hugely rewarding. After some steady climbing, you come to a wide pass which will offer some stunning views and a small break before you turn towards the summit ridge and the final push. As you ascend the summit ridge and step foot on the 'Roof of the North' reaching an altitude of 4167 meters, you will be hit by the massive sense of achievement that you are standing on the summit of the highest peak in North Africa! The descent takes you down the same route, treading carefully through the snow as you retrace your steps back to the Toubkal refuge and then back to Imlil where we will then get picked up and transferred down to Marrakech where you will spend your final night. Mission accomplished. This is a tough old day with around 8-10 hours of walking so you will definitely sleep tonight.

• Day 4 - Your time in Morocco has come to end and your transfer is waiting to take you back to the airport. If you have some time, you can explore the local Markets (Souks) for a few hours before you start your homeward journey, reflecting on the amazing achievement of reaching the summit of Mt Toubkal.

8 Day Itinerary

• Day 1 - Upon arrival in Marrakech a member of the EverTrek team will be there to welcome you at the start of your adventure and drive you to our hotel. You will then have time to explore and soak in the sights, sounds and colours of this ancient city. You will be left in no doubt that the adventure has begun as you explore the city’s souks (Markets) and thriving central square. There are plenty of bargains to be found and tea to drink as you mingle and barter with the local traders of exotic spices and jewellery.

• Day 2 - Today you'll wake up early and after a hearty breakfast you will complete the final preparations before driving through the low hills of the Atlas Mountains. The journey will take you through the beautiful Mizan valley to your first destination and the start of your trek at Imlil. From here you can already see the mighty peaks of the Atlas range and on a clear day you will see your ultimate goal of Mt Toubkal. Imlil was chosen by Hollywood as the location for parts of the movie Kundun and its picturesque paths and trails are the perfect spot to stretch your legs and take some gentle walks in the afternoon to help your body acclimatise.

• Day 3 - Today you will be acclimatising in the beautiful Imlil valley. Your guide will take you on the local Berber trails so you can experience the rich history of the Berber villages and people. If the weather is playing ball, you will hopefully have the chance to climb some of the smaller peaks reaching an altitude of 2500m, from here you can take in the extraordinary views of the Imlil valley. This will also be great practice for the terrain of the next coming days. You will return to Imlil in the afternoon for some food and rest to further aid your body in acclimatising.

• Day 4 - Today your trek towards Toubkal begins with a hike up through the Mizane Valley to the holy shrine of Sidi Chamarouch at 2310m. Here you can take some time to appreciate this special place which is a site of pilgrimage for many Moroccans. From here you will re-fuel before starting to gain some altitude. The trail slowly takes you up towards your ultimate goal of the day, the Toubkal Refuge at 3207m. Here your guide will complete a briefing of the next day's summit attempt and you will spend the evening resting and adjusting to the altitude. Have an early night so that you can be strong & ready for the long day tomorrow and your goal of stepping foot on the highest point in North Africa.
  
  
• Day 5 - The day you have all been waiting for, there is nothing quite like waking up on summit day! You'll wake up and leave the refuge still under the cover of darkness, head torches leading the way. The trail is immediately steep as you ascend a scree slope and the thin air makes the climb tough but rewarding. After some steady climbing you come to a wide pass which will offer some stunning views and a small break before you turn towards the summit ridge and the final push. As you ascend the ridge and step foot on the summit plateau reaching an altitude of 4167 meters, you will be hit by the massive sense of achievement that you are standing on the summit of the highest peak in North Africa! The metal tetrapod which marks the summit is a great photo opportunity and the views are incredible. On a clear day you will be able to see all the way back to Marrakech and take in how far you have come, both physically and mentally. The descent takes you down the same route, treading carefully through the snow you will retrace your steps back to the Toubkal refuge, mission accomplished.
  
  
• Day 6 - Today you wake up and have a decision to make. Those who wish to, can head out for a second day in the mountains and the chance to summit North Africa’s second highest peak, Mt Ouanoukrim. After an early breakfast, the summit team will leave the refuge and head to Tizi Quagane at 3750m and after a short break you'll move on to the summit. The route to the summit involves some hands on scrambling to get through a loose rock section, it is relatively straight forward and your guide will be there ensuring your safe accent. After the scrambling it's on to the always fun 'false summit' and across a ridge to the true summit of Mt Ouanoukrim, after celebrating your success you'll retrace your steps back to the refuge. Anyone who didn’t do the climb will be waiting for you at the refuge where you'll all spend one last night.
  
  
• Day 7 - Your last day hiking in the mountains is a nice and steady decent back to Imlil, taking in the stunning views of the Atlas Mountains for one last time before you say your farewells to the guides and porters who supported you during the accent. You will drive back to Marrakech and arrive back in the late afternoon, even more time to explore the city with your newfound knowledge and experience before enjoying a farewell feast with your fellow EverTrekkers.
  
  
• Day 8 - Your time in Morocco has come to end and your transfer is waiting to take you back to the airport. You may have time to once again experience the sights, sounds and colour of Marrakech before starting your homeward journey and reflecting on the amazing achievement of reaching the summit of Mt Toubkal.

What time of year should I climb Mount Toubkal?

For optimal conditions and safety, consider tackling Mount Toubkal during the spring and autumn months. April to May and September to October are popular times of year to climb Toubkal, the weather is much more predictable, it’s not too hot and not too cold. You’re more likely during these months to get clearer views too.

Around April and May, the winter snow usually starts to melt away, making the trails way easier to tackle. When I submitted in April, the snowline started a little before reaching the refuge base camp and we only needed to wear crampons on the summit night. There was snow all the way up the summit, but it wasn't icy and the weather was clear and bright as we ascended to the top. Come September and October, it's all dry and well-traveled, so you won't find yourself slipping and sliding, allowing you to soak in the scenery hassle-free. However, keep your eyes peeled for any signs of Toubkal altitude sickness, especially as you approach the summit, no matter the season.

Winter climbs in October to the end of April offer a unique and challenging experience but require additional preparation and caution. When I went in December the snow started a little further up than I first expected, but there was a lot of dangerous ice hidden below, and on the summit push, the wind chill was insane. So be sure to come with lots and lots of layers if attempting in winter. The hardest bit about this time of year was taking crampons on and off throughout the summit day. Freezing hands is not much fun.

So have a think about what kind of experience you want, different seasons mean different experiences.

How to book your flights for Morocco

You're fine to arrive on the first day of the trek. 'Day 1' is designed with arrivals in mind and so the itinerary is clear throughout the day. The airport you will book your flights to will be Marrakech Menara International Airport.

Keep in mind that you will book your flight to leave the UK the day prior to your trip’s start date, although the flight to Morocco from the UK isn’t usually a long one so just check your flight times.

Departure wise, the final day of our trip is known as the ‘departure day’ - doing what it says on the tin - so you can book your flight home for this day. However, if you would like to spend more time in Marrakech, taking in the sights, roaming round the Souks (markets) or enjoying some relaxation after your trek - that is no problem at all! You can book your arrival or departure flights for any date either side of a trip and we can still arrange airport transfers and any extra accommodation you require.

Tips and Money

The national currency of Morocco is Moroccan Dirham. The dirham is a closed currency, which means it can only be bought once you arrive in the country. My advice would be to get this in the airport for cash on your trip for souvenirs (there’s a lot you can find in the Souks!) and tips - you can sort out your tips for your guide and porter/chef in Imlil at the end of your trek. We recommend giving 10% of your trip cost for this. Just give this in an envelope to your guide and he will share it amongst the team looking after you.

Whilst in the city of Marakech at the start and or end of the trek, cash points are all around the city. I had no problem withdrawing cash from these for food and so on. Just let your bank know before you do it!

Food and Accommodation

Whilst on the trek itself you won’t be going hungry, Morocco is well known for Tagine. This is essentially a big casserole pot full of veg and meat. You’ll be served a variation of this most of the time with plenty of bread, pasta and olives.

For breakfast you’ll usually be treated with some tasty pancakes, I recommend a drizzle of honey on these. You’ll have plenty of options with this, including yogurt, eggs and bread.

The accommodation on the Mount Toubkal trip is a combination of hotel, lodge and refuge and depending on the time of year and weather conditions, you have the option to camp at the refuge base camp.

Once you arrive in Marrakech, on the 8 day trip you will be met at the airport by your EverTrek representative who will take you to your hotel. Depending on availability you’ll be staying at one of the Riad hotels in the city. Usually weaving your way through a few maze-like streets to get to. These are awesome hotels, usually with a rooftop terrace you can do a bit of sunbathing on, you’ll also have some awesome views of the city.

You’ll then stay at Imlil lodge where your trek really begins. This lodge in the village of Imlil is surrounded by incredible views. Here you’ll find a dining area with a log fire, and a number of bedrooms with showers and sometimes baths. This is where you’ll begin and end your trek, so it’s the perfect place to rest your feet once you return from the summit before moving on to return to Marakech.

The base camp lodge is a basic stone building, once your eye have adjusted to the darkness in their you will find a main common area, and it’s usually bustling with adventurers so expect to be sitting shoulder to shoulder in the popular months. Now the sleeping arrangements are pretty basic, each room is filled with bunk beds with mattresses. These are side by side so you won’t be getting much privacy whilst here.

Top tip - bring earbuds or headphones with you. You may struggle to sleep here due to a chorus of snoring and people getting up to venture to the bathroom.

Top top tip - bring your own loo roll. There are toilets, but for the fellas you’ll be greeted by a hole in the ground of the cubicle, there are normal toilets but availability can be scarce. I braved the hole in the floor once…may or may not have slipped.

How fit do you need to be for the Mount Toubkal trek

You don’t have to be a super soldier to take on Mount Toubkal, but a certain level of fitness is required and the more fit, the more you’ll enjoy it.

If you can walk continuously for 4 – 5 hours in a day with a light rucksack you’ll be able to do this. Ideally, you should be able to walk for consecutive days for this length of time so the more training you do for a few days in a row, the better.. The altitude is manageable if you keep on top of hydration, make sure you have some diamox handy just in case.

Mount Toubkal can be an amazing first venture to the high peaks before heading on other treks like Kilimanjaro. If you choose to climb Toubkal during winter, any previous winter walking experience is ideal although you will learn all you need on the trip itself.

If you want to have some pre-trip experience in winter conditions, check out our Scotland Winter Skills training weekends. These are the perfect training days to familiarize yourself with crampons and using Ice axes.

So, in short the fitter the better. It is however a mental game also. I found on my first experience with Toubkal I struggled mentally. I was not in a good headspace at the time and had gone in thinking it would be a breeze. Boy was I wrong. So perhaps look at some mental resilience exercises and things you can do in your mind to make the journey easier to deal with if things get tough for you, and there’s no shame if you are struggling. None at all.

What vaccinations do you need for Morocco?

Ah, vaccinations, the inevitable part of the pre-trip checklist! So, what do you need?

Well, our go-to advice is hitting up your local health clinic—they're like the superheroes of vaccination advice—or give a quick Google to fitfortravel.nhs for all the deets. From what we've experienced on our adventures, you'll want the usual suspects like -

• Typhoid

• Cholera

• Diphtheria

• Tetanus

— the ones you dust off every decade.

Then there's Hep A and Hep B, just to be extra safe.

If you're planning a globetrotting spree, rabies jabs might be worth the splurge. Oh, and quick tip: rabies shots come in threes, so plan ahead and stagger 'em.

Do you need a Visa to travel to Morocco?

Short answer. No.

If you are a UK passport holder you don't need to apply for a VISA to enter Morocco. But obviously make sure your passport has a minimum of 6 months before expiry.

Whilst on the trek, you will be required to keep your passport on you as you may pass some police checkpoints on the way, so be sure to get yourself a chest wallet or something waterproof you can safely store your passport, wallet and even your insurance.

What to pack for your Mount Toubkal climb

The biggest question of all! What do I need for this trek?

So, on this adventure you should take yourself a duffel bag to keep all of your things, and also a daypack where you can carry a few layers, waterproofs, water and snacks. The limit for your duffel bag should be 15kg max, these will be carried by a mule to the refuge and back to Imlil. So really you want to make this as light as possible for their sake, but don’t worry you can leave items in a safe place as the Imlil lodge at the start of your trek. When I went, I took a big duffel bag and a smaller one inside this where the group could transfer and store some items not needed for the trek itself and leave the large bag at the lodge.

So what essential items do you need? I’ve listed some of our recommendations below for you (winter trek gear can be found here specifically).

• Day Pack - Aim for a 20-30 liter size to carry your daily essentials.
• Duffel bag - 60L Duffel Bag or large day pack
• General Hiking boots - Get tips on boots here
• Trainers or sandals - for lounging around
• Base Layers
• Mid fleece layer
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket
• Walking trousers - I recommend getting some that unzip into shorts for the hotter months
• Gloves + liners if you want to be safe
• Water Bladder for the first half of the trek
• FIltered Water bottle - try our friends at Watertogo
• Trekking poles - Lekki are a great brand
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Beanie
• Sunscreen/lip balm
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitiser/wipes
• Camera - I take a few disposables with me on trips
• Humour

There’s obviously more smaller items and common sense things i.e. toiletries that can be added to your list depending on preference, but with these essentials for the non winter months, you’ll manage just fine.

For a full comprehensive list, just pop us an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call - 02920 003216!

Equipment for Hire

• Sleeping Bag: 5 Euro per day
• Down Jacket: 10 Euro per day
• Crampons: 5 Euro per day
• Ice Axe: 5 Euro per day
• Helmet: Free
• Duffel Bag: 5 Euro per day

Pay the rental fee directly to our Morocco team upon arrival. Let them know your requirements in advance.