Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains: Discover Morocco’s Valleys, Villages & Mount Toubkal
Hiking in High Atlas Mountains opens the door to one of North Africa’s most striking landscapes. Here, rocky peaks tower over fertile valleys, and centuries-old Berber villages offer a living connection between mountain trails and ancient traditions. Stretching over 2,500 kilometers across Morocco, the range combines snow-capped summits, desert plateaus, and fertile valleys in a single, ever-changing horizon. The Ouirgane valley, Imlil Valley , and Azzaden Valley each reveal a different side of Morocco’s wilderness. From conquering Mount Toubkal, Africa’s second-highest peak, to wandering through quiet valleys , every trail offers both challenge and cultural connection. Staying in local guesthouses and walking ancient trading paths gives hikers a glimpse into traditions that have endured for generations.
Guided Hiking Tours in Mount Toubkal & the Atlas Mountains
Posted on Ivan1450Verified Really good place Dar Bimbimbi is an incredible place surrounded by nature, its very comfortable facilities with spacious and warm rooms, jacuzzi and swimming pool. You can do different activities, from mountain hikes, yoga and enjoy a delicious Moroccan food, made with natural ingredients from the area. Said took me on his ouirgane valley sunrise hike …… a friendly, attentive host and an excellent mountain guide. I would visit the place again and I recommend the experience.Posted on Toby SVerified A wonderful hike & meal We had a memorable hike through the villages of the Ouirgane Valley, ending with a gorgeous meal of local delicacies. Saïd, the guide, is knowledgable and funny - and his English is better than that of most Brits. He is a pleasure to have around and made the hike unforgettable.Posted on Michael KVerified An authentic experience amongst unparalleled beauty! A wonderful trip into the unspoilt landscape of the Atlas Mountains with non-stop spectacular views. The lemon tagine was absolutely delicious - served al fresco by a natural spring / followed by traditionally brewed fresh mint tea - a particularly memorable moment for our little group of friends. Most of all Said, the guide, is a gem of person... kind with a great sense of humour, punctual, trustworthy and knowledgable. Being brought up in the nearby Berber village Said is full of stories which makes for an authentic and fascinating trip. Could not recommend this enriching experience more!Posted on Vincent AVerified Unique volonteering hiking lifetime experience in the atlas mountains Saïd place is unique and peace full , Dar bimbimbi is incredible , a lot of smalls details and personal touchs made this place a living place , not just an other big hotel , there is passion and history here . From a simple place make it a palace ; Big 3 stairs house with 3 huge balconys , crossed by a small river . There is an upcoming mosaïque pool and jacuzzi for mai 2024. Unique pizza oven surround by wall of mud and banboos roof where we use to cook sometime , and one small waterfall in the second garden where we use to rest after a great hiking day. One of my favorite place was the big fireplace in the living room where we used to made slow and delicious Maroccan and Berber dishes, i try so many differents tasty dishes , i've discovered a whole new way of cooking , mostly everything from the fire . Rooms ans living rooms unique confortable but simple . I stayed there 2 weeks i did volonteering to help after the earthquake, I did and learn how to make pisé wall , and also earth bricks. Saïd do almost everything by himself a great learner and teacher. And of course the main part was the infinite surround landscape. Walk by yourself , or get guide by Saïd , you will pass trought so many locals and farmers lost tracks , to always end up in an Amazing view or berbere villages , the best way for me who are a hiking fan . I recommand the Ouirgane Valley and The salline of Marigha, he guided us on these 2 tracks , we drinked the tea and learned how an entire village lives from a salt mine . Incredible !Posted on Ale PVerified My experience volunteering near Atlas Mountains (Ouirgane) and other adventures If you like volunteering and hiking, this experience is for you! My experience at Said's place was really incredible, not only because of the place, but also because of multiple activities that you can do and experience. Said's place is a cozy house with different common areas, a garden, living room, dining room, kitchen and a terrace that was my favorite place, as well as a fireplace in the living room that is very cozy and a pool (almost finished). During the volunteer activities I was able to learn how to repair walls, make a fence, and build with environmentally friendly materials. The time with the other volunteers was very good and we had good fun. In our free time after volunteering we learned to cook different Moroccan dishes, in addition to also being able to make some from our countries and share with everyone. In the morning you can schedule walks to see the sunrise or in the afternoon to see the sunset, the walks are of low to medium difficulty, and the views are incredible!!! During the walks you pass through different Berber villages and live with local people. Said's space is surrounded by nature so the mornings pass slowly, without the chaos of the city, work starts around 11 in the morning, so you can enjoy a coffee or tea on the terrace or next to Fireplace. I definitely recommend this experience, just keep in mind that at the moment there is no hot water but Said will fix it soon, even though cold water is good for the body and health and a great challenge that I also recommend doing. Will I return to this place in the future? Of course, Said does everything to make you feel at home in addition to teaching you about the history of Morocco and its people.Posted on Johanna NVerified Sunrise hiking experience in the Atlas mountains This was an amazing hike srarting early in the morning, I don't want to miss. Beautiful scenery, not touristic at all. I also slept at Said's house Dar Bimbimbi. It's still a work in progress but already so beautiful. This is a "once on earth " place. Said cooked amazing vegetable Tajine and shared a lot about the Berber traditions with us. I would definitely return and recommend this experience!Posted on L'Amandier Hotel & VillasVerified Don't hesitate to let Said take you on an adventure...this is next level mountain guiding!! I've known Said over 20 years now and he never fails to exceed all expectations... I'd asked him especially to visit the salt wells at Marigha, close to where he lives and I had worked a few years ago. I hadn't quite realised I'd be taking my shoes and socks off and getting stuck in!! The age old way of doing things really appealed - buckets and rope and hard graft (well for about 5 minutes!) and I'm sure Ahmed, the salt mine owner could have gone on all day. We had of course sweetened tea, boiled over a fire in a blackened pot with the addition of 'shiba' or absinthe which grows during the colder months when the ubiquitous mint is less available. The egg tagine was sublime in it's simplicity and taste, just enough to satiate the appetite but not excessive as we still had some walking to do. After raking up our saline hoard and loading it onto Baku, the 7 year old donkey with wonderfully soft ears to stroke, we headed home, chatting and collecting the odd sparkly rock (not a forte of mine..geology) with that lovely feeling of doing something useful and very clean feet!! 'I'll be back' as the well known Austrian born bodybuilder/actor would say...any excuse to try a new experience or perhaps some new season mint, inchallah!!Posted on Relax29111629200Verified Sunset walk Local guide setting up his business. We enjoyed a hike across the mountain with lovely views on the olive trees and valey.Posted on EssexBound123Verified Experienced local guide If you are travelling to Marrakesh and decide to visit the beautiful valley of Ourigane, Asni, Imlil then Said is the guide to look out for. He is a very experienced local guide with excellent knowledge of all the surrounding areas around Ourigane and speak fluent English. He has been our guide for a number of years and never fails to surprise us with new places to explore around villages, local restaurants and track through the most beautiful countryside and watch in awe the beauty of the Atlas Mountains. He is very knowledgeable on the local flora and fauna. If you want to experience off beaten tracks then Said is the guide for you. He is a very polite, gentle, respectful and honest gentleman. We have been to Said’s beautiful hideaway place several times, nestled in Ouigane valley with beautiful, breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding countryside and mighty Atlas. He has built his place himself with the help of local builders and craftsmen, worth a visit to have tea and have few peaceful moments to relax and reflect.Posted on Anwar HVerified Unforgettable experiences My experience in Morocco would not have been the same without having met and taken some unforgettable journeys with Said. We climbed a number of wonderful mountains and hills together (including the magnificent Toubkal). We met very interesting people along the way and enjoyed some truly beautiful scenery. I also had the pleasure to meet and get to know his wonderful family, who I will never forget. I shall always remember those times spent together very fondly… adventurous, insightful and colourful. Said is an extraordinary and kind young man. I certainly look forward to returning some day to see Said and enjoy another good hike together.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 17 reviews