A comprehensive guide for hiking Toubkal mountain
In this guide, I’ll include all the information you need to summit Mount Toubkal.
The trip to the top of the mountain can be done in different ways. And it can take from 2 to 4 days as you prefer.
Below will mention all the options you can choose from.
But before we start you have to know that I’m not an experienced mountaineer. I’m writing this guide from my own experience and the knowledge I collected from my trip summiting the mountain Toubkal.
General info
Try to avoid the weekends as it’s very crowded
The Mount Toubkal area has been hit with a very aggressive earthquake, so be nice and help the area and the locals by buying stuff from the locals and hiring a local guide. Don’t be cheap.
Mountain Toubkal is a preserved natural area, please mind your steps and don’t letter or disrespect nature by any means.
The mountain is a source of earning for the locals and part of the mountains is sacred. Please respect the local culture.
If you are going to take pictures or videos try not to include people in it. And ask for permission before taking photos of any private area.
Info about Mountain Toubkal
Mountain Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa.
It stands 4176m above sea level.
Gear you need
The following are the gears that you must have and what is good to have to have a pleasant hike of Mountain Toubkal.
Must have
- Icecap
- Hat
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Warm layers
- Jackets
- Flashlights
- Water bottle
- Toilet paper
Good to have
- Sleeping bag
- Towel
- Snacks
- Dry drinks
- More layers
- Lip balm
- Soap
Consider that you will spend 2 mornings and one night on the hike. And bring the essentials only.
What physical status you should be in to Hike Mount Toubkal?
Mount Toubkal hike is relatively easy. If you are someone who trains in any kind of sport you will find no problem hiking the whole thing.
If you are a potato couch you can still do it but maybe you will take more time.
Traveling from Marrakech to Imlil
Local bus
The cheapest option for you is to take the local bus. It’s green buses that you can find at the local bus stop in Marrakech.
It’s the cheapest option
It takes a lot of time.
There is no fixed time for it.
And you have to speak the local language.
I don’t recommend it at all.
Shared Taxi
There are some shared taxis also available at the bus stop. You get a taxi with 4–5 more people all going to Imlil. There is no fixed time for when they leave and when they are available but if you go in the morning most probably you will find one. You will have to wait until there are enough passengers then the car moves.
You pay around 35–40 dirhams for the trip.
The trip takes 2–3 hours according to traffic.
It’s very safe and comfortable.
Private transport
You can hire a private taxi to take you solo from Marrakech to Imlil. The taxi will move when you want and you pay what you agree on with the driver. You can find private taxis everywhere and it’s very easy to find. But you will have to negotiate the price.
Also, you can ask your guide to book you a private taxi for the return trip.
This is the easiest option because you will not have to haggle your way around. And it’s the most time-saving. But it’s the most expensive.
Staying in Imlil for one night (optional)
This part is optional if you don’t want to stay one more night just skip to the next section Hiking from Imlil to Refuge Camp.
You can go one day earlier than your hike and stay a day In Imlil.
You can use this day to explore the small village and have a nice hike around. Maybe you can hike for one of the shorter mountains around to get the feeling of the area.
Your guide can book this hotel for you or you can find one online.
Remember this is a small village, you will not find the usual hotel services.
I’ve stayed in Gite Atlas Mizik, in the small village of Mizik just next it Imlil
Hiking from Imlil to refuge camp (first hiking day)
If you have stayed in Imlil the day before you will wake up early have breakfast and start your hike at 10 am. Also, you can leave your main luggage at the Hotel.
If you are coming straight from Marrakesh or another city, plan to be in Imlil at 9 am maybe earlier if you want to have some coffee.
The hike is pretty flat.
It’s mostly walking on a slightly elevated trail path.
Every hour you will find a rest stop where you can refill your water and buy juice coffee or snacks.
This hike takes between 4–6 hours according to your speed. And it involves more than 1000m of ascent.
Refilling water is free as the water comes straight from the Moutain
I recommend staying in only one stop at Sidi Chamarouch. Have a Coffee and eat some of your snacks. Then continue the way up.
As you hike up the sun will start heating. It’s advised to start losing layers once you feel heated and add layers back again when it gets colder. Always try to keep the basic layer as dry as possible.
During the hike, you will enjoy the view of the mountains, the greenery, and the birds. Also, the occasional mules passing by carrying luggage.
Try not to step on the ice as it’s very slippery.
You can learn more about hiking techniques from your guide.
Keep going until you reach the refuge camp.
Staying at the refuge camp
For me, this was my first time in a refugee camp.
I don’t know what to expect.
And I was more than happy with what I found.
The refugee camp was very well organized, built, and finished.
3 common areas have a fireplace in them.
Also, three dorms where you will get assigned to one bed.
There are plenty of showers and toilets. You can even get a hot shower.
They serve dinner, tea, and snacks
They even have a working wifi.
This night you will get a chance to know who is hiking. tomorrow get to meet people from every country and hear about their stories.
Don’t eat more than what you need, still, there is breakfast in the morning and you don’t want to start your hike on a full stomach
Hiking from the refuge camp to the summit of Mount Toubkal and back
You have breakfast at 4 am and start the hike at 4:30 am
Wear all the gear you have, you will leave your bag behind in the refuge center so wear all you can and leave any unnecessary things. You will return to collect it on your way down from the hike.
Get your breakfast.
The hike has some steep parts and some flats. But your hike will mostly be in the dark (that’s where your flashlight will come in handy). Other hikers will be on the trail so you better start early to avoid the crowd.
You will follow your guide for the whole route. Your Hiking Guide will point out all the hard parts and what to care of.
The hike up will take an average of 5 hours depending on your speed and how many other hikers are on the trail.
You must always care about where you will step. Some rocks are slippery and others will move once you step on them. Other rocks are elevated from the ground and will hit your toes because we are used to small steps as Streetwalkers.
Using your hiking poles try to keep your balance.
At other times you will have to use your hands to keep balance cleaning on some rocks so always keep your gloves on.
You will have several stops according to your guide instructions.
And after all this suffering you will find yourself at the top of the world. When you reach the metal pyramid that marks the top of mountain Toubkal.
Embrace the moment.
Enjoy the sunrise.
Dance, sing, meditate.
You have made it.
Now it’s time to go down.
Going down is tricky, there are moving rocks everywhere. Expect to fall a couple of times when you step on gravel.
Try to follow your guide’s steps, and he knows how to go down.
The hike down is easier than up and you can make it between 1 and 2 hours.
Staying another day in refuge (optional)
When you arrive back from the summit. You can opt-in for another day at the refuge if you want. Some people (Hardocre Mountains lovers) go on for another summit straight from Toubkal. Or you can stay the night and climb another mountain in the morning.
Staying another day in Imlil (optional)
If you went back straight from Mountain Toubkal to Imlil. You will be back in Imlil at 5 pm you can opt in for one more night in Imlil. Your guide can book it for you to check more details at the mentioned part
The ride back from Imlil to Marrakech
You will be back at Imlil around 5 pm you can opt for a ride back to Marrakech and choose one of the options mentioned above.
Conclusion
Hiking Mountain Toubkal is moderate. The hike from the base refuge camp is very easy. Summiting from the refuge camp to the top of Mountain Toubkal is moderate. It can be done by any human. Just make sure to gear up the essentials. And hire a guide that you are comfortable with. The Hike of mountain Toubkal is better done in the summer season. The colder it gets the harder it will be.
I hope I helped you with all the information you need.
I recommend Abdel Reheem as a Hiking guide and you can stay km his lodge Gite Atlas Mizik.
FAQ
Do you need a guide to the summit?
There is no rule about the hike, you can do it on your own or you can hire a guide.
If you are a solo hiker, it’s not preferable to hike alone for your safety.
Communication with the locals along the route is not easy.
If you are a group, opting for a local guide will not cost you much and will make your hike easier.
Does summiting require training?
No, the hike is easy and doesn’t have any technical parts.
What gear should you get?
The basic hiking gear. Check them at this part of the article.
Altitude sickness during hiking mountain Toubkal?
4000m altitude is not a huge altitude. You will handle yourself easily. Maybe some headache or stomach. Remember to drink water.
