Climbing Mount Toubkal: what you need to know
Difficulty, best season, the refuge, altitude and why a guide is mandatory: everything to prepare your ascent of North Africa’s highest peak.
By Ismail2 min read
At 4,167 metres, Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, and one of the most accessible high summits in the world. You do not need to be a mountaineer to reach the top, but you do need to prepare. Here is what to know.
How difficult is it?
In summer and autumn, the ascent is a non-technical trek: a long walk on rocky trails, with no climbing. The challenge is the altitude and the length of the summit day, around 1,000 metres of ascent from the refuge and a long descent. Good fitness and some hiking experience are enough.
In winter, the mountain is covered in snow and ice: crampons, an ice axe and experience are required.
The route
The classic route starts in Imlil (about 1,740 m), 90 minutes from Marrakech.
- Day 1: from Imlil to the Toubkal refuge (about 3,200 m), 5 to 6 hours of walking through walnut groves and the village of Aroumd.
- Day 2: start before dawn to reach the summit at sunrise, then descend to the refuge or all the way to Imlil.
It can be done in two days, but we recommend three or four: it gives your body time to adjust to the altitude and lets you discover the Berber valleys around the massif.
Is a guide mandatory?
Yes. Since 2019, hiring a licensed mountain guide is mandatory to climb Toubkal. Beyond the rule, a local guide knows the mountain, the weather and the right pace, and makes the trek much safer and more enjoyable.
When to go
- June to October: the best season, with snow-free trails.
- April, May and November: possible, with snow patches and colder nights.
- December to March: winter ascent, for experienced and well-equipped hikers.
Altitude
Most people feel the altitude above 3,000 metres: shortness of breath, headache, poor sleep at the refuge. Walk slowly, drink a lot and listen to your guide. If symptoms get worse, going down is the remedy.
What to pack
- Good hiking boots and trekking poles.
- Warm layers, a down jacket, a hat and gloves: the summit is cold, even in August.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A head torch for the pre-dawn start.
- A sleeping bag liner for the refuge.
Our 4-day Toubkal trek includes transfers from Marrakech, a licensed guide, muleteers to carry the luggage, meals and nights in the refuge and a Berber guesthouse.