Hiking in Morocco: On the Berber paths
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Marrakech to Imi Oughland, then trek to Tizi Oussem
1.5 hours drive from Marrakech and approx. 5 hours of trekking
You’ll be picked up in Marrakech and driven out of the city towards the mountains. After about 1.5 hours you arrive in the market town of Asni. If you are here on a Saturday, there is a local market and mountain residents literally come from far and wide to do their shopping. Another 20km on and you’ll arrive in the small mountain town of Imi Oughland. This is the starting point of the trek, at an altitude of 1,375 metres. Your luggage will be packed onto the mules and you’ll head off slowly along the mountain path. You’ll soon leave the valley and as you turn around, the view becomes more and more impressive. On the Tizi ‘n Tacht Pass, at an altitude of 2,100 metres, you have a great view of the high mountains. After a break for lunch (with an impressive view), you’ll hike for another 1.5 hours to the village of Tizi Oussem (1,720 metres). This is where you’ll stop overnight. Accommodation is in a small shared room (4-6 people) in a simple mountain hut with a view of the valley.
Day 2 – Atlas mountains trek
Approx. 5 hours of trekking
After breakfast it’s time to lace up your boots again. The trail winds for about 1.5 hours through gnarled, centuries-old juniper to the M’Zig Pass at 2,490 metres. A fantastic panoramic view awaits you here: on one side the snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas and on the other the green valleys near the village of Imlil. The rest of the route takes you downhill near Imlil, where you arrive during the afternoon. Here you will also stay in a simple mountain hut with shared dormitories. You can take a wonderfully refreshing (warm) shower and then quietly watch the villagers while enjoying a glass of mint tea.
Day 3 – Imlil to Marrakech
45 minute trek followed by 1.5 hour drive to Marrakech
After breakfast, you hike back to Imlil (approx. 45 minutes). A minibus or jeep will be waiting to transfer you back to Marrakech in around 1.5 hours.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
On the Berber paths: 4 day trek
If you’re eager to trek for longer in the mountains you can extend this package by one day, and stay two nights in Tizi Oussem instead of one. On day two you will trek to the sheepfolds of Tamsoult (2160 metres) and a further waterfall where you will have a picnic lunch. In the evening you stay in the simple mountain hut in Tizi Oussem and on day three you descend to Imlil. Let your Travel Specialist know if this option is your preference.
A more comfortable Atlas Mountains option
You don’t need to be a super fit hiker or a hardy camper to enjoy a visit to the Atlas Mountains. We can offer a more comfortable experience in the mountain peaks, staying overnight for 2 nights in a cosy riad and including a 4-hour guided trek through the mountains. If this sounds more appealing then we can add this bite-sized trip to your Travel Plan.
