Hiking in Morocco

Hiking in the Atlas Mountains

The phenomenal Atlas Mountains stretch the length of Northwest Africa and the highest peaks in this vast range can be found in Morocco. If you want to hike in the mountains, you have a fantastic choice of trails and can pick routes where you may not see a single other walker or others which are well-trodden.

For staggering views, the best hiking trails in Morocco can be found in the High Atlas  section of the range. The highest summit is Toubkal at 13,671 ft (4,167 m), a popular goal for hikers and usually a two-day ascent. Not just the highest peak in Morocco, Toubkal is also the tallest peak in North Africa. 

There are many incredible hiking routes in the Toubkal massif that avoid the busy main trail and instead lead you past Berber villages, lush valleys and tremendous scenery. The trails in the region of Jbel M'Goun are also outstanding and perfect for multi-day expeditions. 

In the Saghro region, you’ll still enjoy amazing views but instead of towering giants you’ll be hiking in lower-lying mountains, with summits more in the region of 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Hikes in Morocco’s low mountains give gentler ascents on multi-day routes and you can stop in wonderful traditional Berber villages as you go. 

Sandy strolls in the Sahara

The sand dunes of the Moroccan Sahara create some of the most jaw-dropping views in the world. Desert walks in Morocco are unforgettable and you can camp out under the clear skies and see more stars than you can imagine. 

Iriqui National Park is an outstanding place to hike and you can experience steppes, scrubland and vast sand dunes here. The dunes here are commonly called ‘ergs’ and these shifting shapes create iconic desert landscapes. Many hikes out to ergs take multiple days but you can set out on day walks from towns like Merzouga. 

Planning a hiking trip to Morocco

Due to the great distances, challenging environments and extremes of temperature, guided treks from day hikes to multi-day expeditions are common. That doesn’t mean you have to travel with a guide though. With good planning, you can easily enjoy a fantastic trip with or without a guide. 

The temperatures here are severe, from the freezing temperatures of the High Atlas summits to the phenomenal desert heat, so you’ll need to prepare for the temperatures you’ll experience. 

Morocco’s landscape and weather shouldn’t be underestimated but when you treat it with a healthy respect, it’ll provide world-class adventures for you.