Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas is not a backdrop. It is a range of villages, irrigation channels, walnut groves and passes that still close in snow. Imlil is the trekking door; Tizi n’Tichka is the desert door; Ourika is the Sunday door.

A day trip changes your Marrakech week. A night in a mountain guesthouse changes your whole itinerary.

When to visit the Atlas Mountains

Spring and autumn are best for walking, with green valleys and clear views. Summer is the escape from Marrakech’s heat, as villages are much cooler. In winter the peaks are snow-covered and some high passes can close temporarily, so we keep alternative routes ready.

Getting to the Atlas Mountains

Imlil, at the foot of Toubkal, is about ninety minutes from Marrakech; the Ourika Valley about an hour; and the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres, is crossed on every desert tour heading south. Village walks are possible for all fitness levels, from an easy stroll to a mule-supported hike. For a deeper experience, spend a night in a mountain guesthouse and wake up to the call of the valley.

Authoritative background: Visit Morocco nature and mountains guide (Visit Morocco — nature and mountains).