What you should know before you climb Mount Toubkal

Otherwise known as Jebel Toubkal, the incredibly underestimated Mount Toubkal is considered “the roof of North Africa”, and it’s 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 frist 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, naturally, I went back eight months later… That’s what you’re meant to do right?

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

So, read on for everything you need to know before you climb Mount Toubkal, whether you’re embarking on a weekend adventure or our full eight-day trek.

Where is Mount Toubkal?

Mount Toubkal can be found in the southwest of Morocco, in the appropriately named Toubkal National Park. You can spot this bad boy about 63 kilometres (or 39 miles) south of the city of Marrakech, 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 tall is Mount Toubkal?

So, you might be wondering how Mount Toubkal stacks up against other mountains in terms of height. Well, the Mount Toubkal summit stands at 4,167 metres (13,671 feet) above sea level.

This means it's not just the highest peak in Morocco, but in the whole Atlas Mountains, North Africa, and even the Arab world!

What Mount Toubkal trek options are available?

You may be wondering: How long does it take to climb Mount Toubkal? In short, it depends on how many hours you hike each day. You can complete a Mount Toubkal trek in as little as 2 days, or you may wish to spread it out across a longer period.

The beauty of joining a Mount Toubkal trek with our EverTrek experts is that you have a choice of itineraries. We offer a Roof of the North Weekender expedition for those who want to pack plenty of adventure into a four-day trip.

Alternatively, our 8-day Mount Toubkal trek provides a longer experience.

Here’s what you can expect from each trip.

Mount Toubkal Weekender Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

Day 2: Berber Trails & Acclimatisation

Day 3: Summit Day

Day 4: Time Flies

Take a look at our Mount Toubkal Weekender walk-through videos for more insights into what your adventure will look like.

Mount Toubkal 8-Day Trek Itinerary

With this eight-day trip, you’ll have the chance to really soak up the landscapes and culture before taking on North Africa’s highest peak.

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

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: Your adventure begins

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.n a clear day, you will see your ultimate goal of Mount 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: Acclimatisation day

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 coming days.

You will return to Imlil in the afternoon for some food and rest to further aid your body in acclimatising.

Day 4: The Mount Toubkal trek really starts

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 refuel 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: Time to reach Mount Toubkal’s summit

The day you have all been waiting for! 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 metres, 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: Summit Mount Ouanoukrim (optional)

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, Mount 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 straightforward, and your guide will be there ensuring your safe ascent.

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: The last day of your Mount Toubkal trek

Your last day hiking in the mountains is a nice and steady descent 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 ascent.

You will drive back to Marrakech and arrive back in the late afternoon. You’ll have some more time to explore the city with your newfound knowledge and experience before enjoying a farewell feast with your fellow EverTrekkers.

Day 8: Departure day

Your time in Morocco has come to an 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 Mount Toubkal.

Essential things to know before you climb Mount Toubkal

We know you may have lots of questions ahead of your Mount Toubkal trek. We’re here to answer as many as possible, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch. You can also browse our Trek Prep Hub for more insights, tips, and inspiration.

When is the best time of year to 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 Mount Toubkal as 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-travelled, 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 putting on and taking 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.

The final day of our trip is known as the ‘departure day’ , 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,) 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.

Should I bring money to tip our Mount Toubkal guides?

The national currency of Morocco is the 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.

We recommend giving 10% of your trip cost as tips for your Mount Toubkal guide and the porters and chefs who help us out. At the end of your Mount Toubkal trek, you can just pop your tips in an envelope and give it to your guide who will share it amongst the team looking after you.

Extra tip: There are plenty of cash points in the city of Marrakech, so you should be able to access money at the start or end of your Mount Toubkal trek. You may just need to let your bank know before you do it!

What food and accommodation is available on the Mount Toubkal trek?

Food

On the Mount Toubkal trek itself, you won’t be going hungry! Morocco is well known for Tagine, 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 to some tasty pancakes — I recommend a drizzle of honey on these. You’ll have plenty of options with this, including yoghurt, eggs and bread.

Accommodation in Marrakech

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 onavailability 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.

Accommodation along the Mount Toubkal trek route

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 Marrakech.

The base camp lodge is a basic stone building with a bustling main common area. Sleeping arrangements are also pretty basic. Each room is filled with bunk beds with mattresses. Bear in mind that these are side-by-side, meaning you won’t get a huge amount of privacy.

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 on the Mount Toubkal trek. However, normal toilet availability may be scarce. In most cases, fellas will be greeted by a hole in the ground of the cubicle. 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 the Mount Toubkal summit, but a certain level of fitness is required, and the more fit you are, the more you’ll enjoy it.

If you can walk continuously for 4–5 hours 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 vaccination 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. Make sure your passport has a minimum of 6 months before expiry.

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

What to pack for your Mount Toubkal trek

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

Firstly, you’ll need a main duffel bag, plus a daypack for carrying a few layers, waterproofs, water and snacks. The limit for your duffel bag is 15kg, as these will be carried by a mule to the refuge and back to Imlil. Don’t worry, you can leave some items in a safe place at the Imlil lodge at the start of your trek.

Here are the essential items we recommend when hiking to Mount Toubkal. (We also have a dedicated list of suggestions for winter trek gear ).

• Day pack: Aim for a 20-30L size to carry your daily essentials.
• 60L duffel bag or large day pack
• General hiking bootsTrainers 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 and liners if you want to be safe
• Water bladder for the first half of the trek
• FIltered water bottle - try our friends at Water-to-Go
• 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 are a few more common-sense items (such as toiletries), that can be added to your list depending on preference.

For a comprehensive list of everything you need, feel free to pop us an email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call 02920 003216.

Is it possible to hire equipment for the Mount Toubkal trek?

Absolutely, we provide some essential and useful equipment that you can hire on a daily basis. This can be especially helpful for those who wish to pack light or don’t want to make a permanent investment in certain items.

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
  
  

Please let our Morocco team know your requirements in advance, and you can pay the rental fee directly to them.

More insights into the Mount Toubkal trek experience

So there you have it, everything you need to know about climbing Mount Toubkal. Fancy seeing what my experience was like? Here's a short film following my journey as a first-time hiker. Enjoy, and make sure you like and subscribe to the channel to get all your trekking advice!

And if you’re ready to book your place on a Roof of the North adventure, check out our Weekender and 8-day Mount Toubkal trek itineraries in full, and secure your spot.