Is Mount Toubkal Worth It?

My Trip to Morocco: January 2024

I visited Morocco in January 2024 to experience the Mount Toubkal trek and meet the support team on the ground. Once I'd spent some time in Marrakech checking out that buzzing market, I headed to the tiny village of Imlil, hidden away in the High Atlas Mountains. It struck me straight away Mount Toubkal is such a special mountain; wild and beautiful, and with so much local culture to experience.

The Adventure Starts Here: What to Expect from a Mount Toubkal Trek and Climb

The change in atmosphere from the hectic madness that is Marrakech to the laid-back Imlil was striking. This is where the adventure starts. Snaking paths lead you through old walnut groves, the air filled with the scent of pine.

Imlil is home to the lovely local guides who know the mountains like the back of their hand, and who will look after you every step of the way on your Mount Toubkal adventure. They'll make your trek extra special as they regale you with the history of the mountain and the local wildlife.

Meet the guides in our ultimate guide to Mount Toubkal.

Climbing Mount Toubkal - Beautiful yet Challenging

Climbing Mount Toubkal is a feast for the senses and a challenge for the body. The route is filled with old Berber villages, where people live as they have for hundreds of years. As you gain altitude the landscape gets wilder, the paths become stony, and the air gets thinner.

Rocky gullies and steep slopes lead you higher and higher, each step taking you deeper into the Atlas Mountains.

However, Toubkal is no Sunday stroll. The altitude is your biggest enemy and the weather can change in an instant. One moment the sun is shining and the next you’re hit with fierce winds blowing directly into your face. You need to be prepared.

You're very unlikely to get altitude sickness when you climb Mount Toubkal, but the air is thinner so you will get more breathless than usual and the climb will feel more of an effort. Don't try to rush your Mount Toubkal trek and climb - just go at your own pace. Sending a night in Imlil will help you acclimatise.

During my Mount Toubkal trek, what really stuck out for me was the local people and their incredible kindness. Despite the tough conditions of a life spent in the mountains, they all warmly welcomed us into their home, which added a huge amount of rich culture to the adventure. This made climbing Toubkal as much a cultural adventure as a climb.

Climb Mount Toubkal with Call to Adventure and experience that Berber hospitality!

Training and Equipment for Mount Toubkal: Get Ready

Like any big challenge, you should prepare well before climbing Mount Toubkal. There's no technical climbing needed and it requires no special equipment or skills. However, you do need to have a decent level of fitness.

I’d recommend plenty of cardio, weights and hill walking with lots of climbing. This is a big challenge and needs to be taken seriously, but with the proper preparation you will succeed.

Get yourself some decent boots, and make sure they're broken in - you want to avoid blisters if you can! You’ll need water and food, layers, a comfortable backpack, a personal first-aid kit, spare hiking socks and a map for your Mount Toubkal trek. Oh, and a waterproof jacket wouldn't go amiss for those sudden storms.

We started our ascent of Toubkal in what felt like the middle of the night, so I'd recommend a decent head torch.

It’s always better to be over-prepared than under when in a mountain environment. And Mount Toubkal is certainly no exception!

Mount Toubkal Trek: The Journey to the Summit

Starting from the mountain village of Imlil, the route to Mount Toubkal begins as a delightful trek through the stunning High Atlas Mountains. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get to Imlil from Marrakesh.

Following the hiking route for Toubkal, you'll pass the shrine of Sidi Charamouch with stalls selling fresh orange juice on your way to the mountain refuge, which will be your base camp for the night. As I discovered, the Toubkal refuge is a bit of a misnomer as there are two refuges - Les Mouflons and the Refuge du Toubkal.

Both refuges are good places to share stories with like-minded people and take a well earned rest before summit day.

After hopefully getting some decent rest (ear plugs and good quality sleeping bags are a blessing!!), it's summit day. Your ascent of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa begins! Exciting stuff - you'll leave early in the morning so don't forget the head torch!

Having plenty of snacks is key - a stash of energy bars is ideal as they're light to carry but good fuel for powering up Toubkal's steep slopes. You can eat them on the go too, ideal as if it's cold as you won't want to take a long, leisurely lunch break.

Just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. It'll be a slog but what an achievement to finally stand on the summit of Mount Toubkal and the roof of North Africa!

Toubkal Summit: The Reward

The incredible views from the summit of Mount Toubkal is the ultimate reward. At 4,167 metres this is Morocco and North Africa's highest mountain and the sense of achievement is incredible. Looking down on the High Atlas mountain range, as far as the eye can see in every direction, a beautiful patchwork of peaks and valleys. All the effort, every painful step - totally worth it.

The summit of Jebel Toubkal is not just a visual feast but an emotional victory. It’s the culmination of days of work, of determination and moments of uncertainty. It’s a reminder that you’re capable, and as you make your way back down and back to Imlil, the sense of achievement stays with you, putting a little extra spring in each step.

Should You Climb Mount Toubkal? The Big Question

Should you consider climbing Mount Toubkal? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are You Adventurous?

Climbing Toubkal is perfect for those who like to push themselves and try new things. Toubkal is the highest point in North Africa, so climbing it is an amazing experience!!

Plus the Toubkal trek and climb can be fitted into a long weekend. Morocco's easily accessible - it's only a short flight from the UK.

Are You Up For The Physical Challenge?

You will need a good level of fitness for a Toubkal trekking adventure, and you'll also need to get your head in the game mentally. But if you are willing to put in the training, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t manage the ascent.

Mount Toubkal offers a worthy challenge, and an epic mountain adventure, if you're willing to accept.

Can You Cope With The Uncertainty?

Mountain weather can change quickly and without notice. You will need to be flexible and prepared for all eventualities.

If you fancy a winter ascent, you can book an extra day and night for just a little extra cost to give an extra summit day if the weather's bad.

Do You Appreciate Beauty?

The landscape of the Atlas Mountains on the approach to Mount Toubkal and on the climb are beautiful. If you enjoy nature and being outdoors, you will love Mount Toubkal. It's an amazing big mountain experience with the most stunning views.

Are You After The Inner Glow?

The climb is as much a mental journey as it is physical. You will need to find the motivation to drive yourself up Jebel Toubkal and reach the summit.

The journey rewards you not just with the experience, but with the realisation that you can achieve something you previously only imagined.

So - is Mount Toubkal worth it? Our answer is a resounding yes!

Ready for the adventure of climbing North Africa's highest peak? Climb Mount Toubkal with Call to Adventure and make the dream a reality!