8-Day Hike Morocco’s Atlas Mountains | Africa’s Highest Peak
An 8-Day Hike Morocco’s Atlas Mountains itinerary provides the perfect blend of alpine trekking and cultural immersion. The classic high-country route allows you to summit Mount Toubkal (4,167m), North Africa’s highest peak, while exploring deep-cut river valleys and traditional Amazigh (Berber) villages.
Experience colourful Marrakech and peaceful mountain walks in Morocco
We stay in a simple but comfortable riad in the lovely village of Tijhza and go on daily optional walks. We may take our time and marvel at the mountain vistas as we hear stories of the Amazigh people’s welcoming culture. Our continuing responsible tourism project in Tijhza also includes the opportunity to experience a traditional hammam. During our stay in Marrakech, we will have the opportunity to explore palaces and vibrant souks. On evenings when we have free time, we can visit Jemaa el-Fnaa, a lively plaza that is home to street food vendors, juice stands, and musicians.
8-Day Hike Morocco’s Atlas Mountains Highlights
- Day 1: Adventure starts in Marrakech
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Dinner - Day 2: Guided tour of Marrakech • Free afternoon
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast - Day 3: Drive to Anmiter • Walk to Tijhza and explore
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 4: Loop through the Tizi’n’Ourghsan and back down the Ouarikt River to the village
Distance:17 km / 10.6 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day 5: Hike to the summit of Mount n’Oughlagal
Distance:10 km / 6.2 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day 6: Trek to Alfergal village
Distance:16 km / 9.9 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day 7: Walk to Anmiter • To Marrakech across the High Atlas
Distance:5 km / 3.1 miles
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast - Day 8: Adventure ends in Marrakech
Meals included: Breakfast
A Detailed 8-Day Hike Morocco’s Atlas Mountains Itinerary
Day 1: Adventure starts in Marrakech
But today is a laid-back day, so we can all come together and get settled.
When you arrive at the hotel, you will meet your tour guide and other travellers for the first time at approximately 6 o’clock in the evening. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and hear about the exciting activities that lie ahead.
During the group supper, your tour guide will make sure you enjoy a warm Moroccan welcome.
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Guided tour of Marrakech • Free afternoon
A guided tour will help us get our bearings in the morning, and then we’ll have the afternoon to explore at our own pace. Opt for a tranquil visit to Jardin Majorelle, a daring foray into the souks, or a rejuvenating soak in a hammam steam bath.
The open-air plaza that Marrakech is known for, Jemaa el-Fna, is our destination for the evening. Since the Sultans used to hang the heads of their adversaries there, the name means “place of death” in its literal sense. It has evolved into a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, thanks to the addition of food vendors, acrobats, roaming musicians, and juice stands.
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Drive to Anmiter • Walk to Tijhza and explore
Despite the breathtaking beauty, the road leading up to the mountains is incredibly winding. At long last, we make it over the Tizi’n’Tichka, Morocco’s highest road pass at 7,415 feet (2,260 meters). On the opposite side of this narrow range of mountains is a gorge, and we will soon descend into it. We take a diversion into a broad valley on our way to Telouet, where we can admire the kasbah in the distance. The Glaoui family held sway in this magnificent castle-palace until the late 1950s. As a result of their demise, they scattered and the castle deteriorated. So now we can only observe this maze-like structure from a distance.
We then head to Anmiter for lunch with a local family before a two-hour ascent to our riad along a track. After thirty minutes on a beautiful river trail, the rest of the way is a dirt road that goes through other villages (we’ll have our bags taken to the Tijhza).
Drive time: 3hr 30min
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Loop through the Tizi’n’Ourghsan and back down the Ouarikt River to the village
We begin in the Ouarikt terraced fields and make our way up through the high summer meadows to the col, where we can take in breathtaking views of the Ouarikt Gorge. Take it easy with a picnic at a waterfall after five hours of hiking, and then return to the settlement by following the river. We can come across nomadic people and rural folks going about their daily lives as we go.
Distance: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Hike to the summit of Mount n’Oughlagal
We leave the riad and climb the mountain behind it, following a well-defined mule trail to the peak, where breathtaking views of the valley await. Scrambling up a steep, sandy section of trail is an integral part of the hike and can be particularly difficult in wet weather. Take in the views from the peak, then head back to the riad for a leisurely lunch.
The remainder of the afternoon is at our leisure to wander the village, go for a stroll, or just kick back on the expansive terrace that looks out over the Tijhza valley with a good book.
We stop at the community hammam, which our passengers helped fund, on our way back. I am thoroughly enjoying this experience; it is so genuine. You will feel quite at home at this local hammam, and the fact that you may even meet some of the villagers is just icing on the cake. Twenty dirhams (about $1.90) will cover the cost of the normal treatment, but you’ll also need to buy a scrubber and some soap, on top of the usual tip of twenty dirhams. Back at the riad for supper, feeling revitalised.
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek to Alfergal village
Through terraced fields, walnut trees, and irrigation channels, the path follows mule routes that connect dispersed towns, revealing the generations-long adaptation of mountain life to the harsh environment.
The trail’s surface changes from packed earth to stone, and there are modest climbs that lead to breathtaking panoramas of the valley and the surrounding mountains.
We can unwind and enjoy one last evening in Tijhza with the group when we return to our riad.
Distance:16 km / 9.9 miles
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud or Kasbah Oliver (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Walk to Anmiter • To Marrakech across the High Atlas
Our departure from Tijhza is scheduled for lunchtime, and we will be back in Marrakech by afternoon. You are free to explore the city more or finish up any last-minute shopping. Another option is to stay at the hotel and take advantage of their pool.
Drive time: 3hr 30min
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Accommodation: Hôtel Meriem (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8: Adventure ends in Marrakech
Talk to the salesperson about the possibility of an extension of your stay if you would like to have a bit more time to see the sights.
End of the 8-Day Hike Morocco’s Atlas Mountains