Toubkal Trek from Imlil: Route, Season and How to Prepare

Mount Toubkal, at 4,167 meters, is the highest mountain in North Africa. The standard route starts from the village of Imlil and reaches the summit in two days, without technical climbing in summer conditions. This guide to the Imlil Toubkal trek describes the route day by day and what you need to know before you go.

The Trek at a Glance

Start and finish: Imlil, at about 1,740 meters.
Summit: 4,167 meters.
Duration: two days; three if you want to acclimatize.
Difficulty: strenuous hiking; steep scree near the top; snow and ice in winter.
Guide: a licensed mountain guide is mandatory.

Day 1: Imlil to the Refuge

The path leaves Imlil through walnut groves, passes the village of Aroumd and crosses a broad gravel plain before climbing steadily up the Mizane Valley. After about two hours you reach Sidi Chamharouch, a cluster of stalls around a pilgrimage shrine, where most groups stop for tea. From there a well-made mule track zigzags up to the refuges at about 3,200 meters.

Allow four to six hours of walking, with a climb of roughly 1,450 meters. Mules can carry your bags. Two refuges stand side by side below the peak; both offer dormitory beds and meals, and both fill up in high season, so reserve ahead.

Trail in the Mizane Valley toward Toubkal

Day 2: Summit and Descent

Groups usually leave the refuge before dawn. The route climbs the south cirque over boulders and loose scree to a saddle, then follows the ridge to the summit, marked by a metal pyramid. The ascent takes three to four hours. On a clear day the view stretches over the Atlas ranges to the plains of Marrakech in the north and the edge of the Sahara in the south.

The descent to the refuge takes about two hours, followed by lunch and the long walk back to Imlil. It is a hard day, with close to 1,000 meters of ascent and 2,400 of descent. Many trekkers prefer to sleep a second night at the refuge or in Imlil.

When to Go

The main hiking season runs from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to October, when the route is free of snow. July and August are hot in the valley but pleasant higher up. From November to April the mountain is under snow: the climb then requires crampons, an ice axe, winter experience and a guide used to those conditions.

How Fit Do You Need to Be?

You need to be able to walk uphill for several hours on two consecutive days. No climbing skills are required in summer, but the altitude is real. Headaches, nausea and unusual tiredness are common above 3,000 meters. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and tell your guide if symptoms get worse; the only cure is to go down. A third day, with an extra night at altitude or a preliminary walk over a high pass, makes the summit easier and more enjoyable.

Guides, Mules and Costs

Since 2018, trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and passports are checked at a control point above Imlil, so carry yours. You can book through an agency in Marrakech, through a guesthouse in Imlil or at the guides’ office in the village. A typical arrangement includes the guide, a mule and muleteer for the bags, refuge beds and meals. Prices vary with group size and season; ask for a written breakdown of what is included.

What to Pack

Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support.
Warm layers, a windproof jacket, hat and gloves, even in summer. The summit is cold at dawn.
A sleeping bag or liner for the refuge.
A headlamp for the early start.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat.
Water bottles or a bladder, purification tablets and snacks.
Trekking poles, which help a great deal on the scree.
Cash for the refuge, drinks and tips.

Mountain landscape in Toubkal National Park

Getting to Imlil

Imlil is about an hour and a half by road from Marrakech. Most trekkers arrive the afternoon before and spend the night in the village. For the village itself, the easy walks around it and where to stay, see our Imlil travel guide.