The Atlas mountains, cutting through the heart of Morocco, offer an incredible and vast range of panoramas and excursions to enjoy, full of breathtaking landscapes and local Berber traditions. In this article we cover the unique beauty and diversity of the High Atlas, from the snow-capped peaks, to the green valleys and ancient kasbahs (fortresses), to the much rockier red canyons. Continue reading about the 7 best places to visit in the High Atlas mountains in this article!
7 best places to visit in the High Atlas mountains
Interactive Map
Characterised by its very diverse and rugged terrain, the High Atlas region is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Morocco. Visiting this mountainous area was one of the highlights of our trip to Morocco, and it left us longing to return to see more of it!
Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article (January 2024), it was not possible to visit some of the places listed below due to the catastrophic earthquake that occurred in September 2023 in this very region of the Atlas Mountains. Some roads were under reconstruction and conditions were sometimes not optimal. Moreover, many hotels and houses have been destroyed or considerably damaged, and we unfortunately witnessed many locals living in tents.
Below we list the 7 best places to visit in the High Atlas according to our experience dated in January 2024. We suggest contact the accommodations directly before booking to make sure.
1. Imlil
Imlil was partially hit by the earthquake, so make sure to check your accommodation options before heading there.
Nestled among the towering peaks of the High Atlas, Imlil is a small village that serves as a base for hikers looking to explore the surrounding mountains. The number of hikes you can do in the area is vast. These are our top 3 hikes that you can do depending on your fitness or the time you have available:
Mount Toubkal: the highest peak in North Africa
For those looking for the most challenging and iconic hike in Morocco, it doesn’t get any better than Mount Toubkal. From Imlil, you can easily climb eastwards to the summit of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. You can finish the hike in as little as two days, or over five days via a more relaxing route. This is really one of the best places to visit in the High Atlas!
We recommend: This 2 days 1 night guided trek up to the summit of Toubkal. It includes all your meals and transfers to and from Marrakech!
Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially when doing extreme activities. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world. Check out SafteyWing here.
Azzaden Valley for the Berber villages
Another great option is an overnight hike from Imlil to Tizi Oussem, into the Azzaden Valley in Ouirgane. This is the best excursion you can do if you are interested in exploring the local Berber villages, sleeping and eating in the most traditional Berber facilities in the area.
Daily trek to Tizi n’ Tamatert pass
If you don’t have enough time at your disposal, or you want to have more relaxed walks around Imlil, we recommend you to walk up to the Tizi n’ Tamatert pass. This is a 5km walk from the centre of Imlil, and it takes no more than 3 hours to reach the top. There is a very panoramic cafe at the top where you can order a hot meal or a coffee while enjoying the beautiful view of the valley from above.
2. Todgha Gorge
Todgha Gorges were not heavily hit by the earthquake and are ok to visit.
Todgha Gorge is characterised by its limestone towering river canyons (also known as Wadis) and steep winding mountain roads. Situated in the Eastern part of the High Atlas mountains, this place offers epic scenery and many activities to do.
Here below our 2 recommendations for activities in the area:
Rock climbing
Todgha Gorge is a mecca for rock climbers and world famous for its many climbing routes. There are over 400 mapped climbs ranging from single to multi pitch, at a variety of difficulty levels. The towns in the gorge are well equipped to offer guides and rentals for people wanting to do some rock climbing.
The “Nomad Loop” hike
This hike, which takes around 4 hours and starts and finishes in the Gorge itself, will take you up onto the plateau surrounding the area where you can have Berber whiskey (sweet tea) in a traditional Berber village.
If you want to know more about Todgha and Dades Gorges, have a look at our full guide here!
3. Dades Gorges
Dades Gorges were not heavily hit by the earthquake and are ok to visit.
The drive to reach Dades Gorges is a unique and exciting experience. You will see a number of scenic spots where you can view the interesting rock formations of the area. The road passing through Dades gorge has been rated one of the most scenic drives in the world! The R704, otherwise known as the “Road of 1000 Kasbah”, snakes its way through the gorge with eye watering turns and drops around every corner. Don’t miss it!
For hiking enthusiasts, the region has no shortage of hikes. We recommend the “Monkey Fingers Canyon” hike. This 8 kilometre trail will take you through some of the most impressive rock formations that Dades Gorge has to offer. It is a relatively easy hike, with only 250 metres of vertical elevation, but the narrow passages through the limestone rock formations are a very unique thing to see.
If you want to know more about Todgha and Dades Gorges, have a look at our full guide here!
4. Aït Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou did not receive significant damage from the earthquake, and it is safe to visit.
This fascinating ancient fort (or “Kasbah”) is built entirely out of mud, and dates back to the 1600s. Located about 30 kilometres from Ouarzazate, it has been used, as a location, for a number of famous films such as ‘The Gladiator’ or ‘The Mummy’ and some scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’. Now a popular tourist spot, you can find endless stalls, cafes and arty shops selling local handicrafts. Just 10 or so families still call Ait Benhaddou home and we were lucky enough to see inside one of their traditional houses when we visited! The majority of the locals now live in the new part of town on the other side of the river.
5. Telouet Kasbah
The Telouet Kasbah was unfortunately destroyed in the earthquake and you are no longer able to visit the inside.
The beautiful Kasbah of Télouet, constructed between the 19th and 20th centuries, resides in the small Berber village of Télouet, nestled in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Despite the impossibility of visiting the Kasbah, the excursion to Telouet was nevertheless worth it and we recommend it to everyone. The mountain scenery is breathtaking, the road to get there was pure fun, and one of the most beautiful roads we have travelled in Morocco. It is an adventure in the middle of the beautiful Moroccan Atlas Mountains, and we stopped plenty of times to take photos and admire the beauty of the place.
6. Cascades D’Ouzoud
The Ouzoud Falls are ok to visit.
The Ouzoud Falls stand out as the most remarkable in Morocco and are a popular destination for a day trip from Marrakech. The Ouzoud Falls boast a total height of approximately 110 metres, making them the highest waterfalls in Morocco. The falls lie more precisely in the Middle Atlas range, and stunning landscapes and lush greenery envelop the surroundings. Nestled in a scenic jungle-like environment, the falls provides a refreshing and relaxing escape, especially appreciated by visitors seeking relief from the warm Moroccan climate.
While you are at the waterfall you can simply enjoy the view and relax, or you can do some activities:
- You can explore various walking paths around the canyon that offer different vantage points of the falls and the surrounding natural beauty.
- You can go on a boat ride to experience the falls from a unique perspective, and there are opportunities for swimming, despite signs advising against it.
7. Ouirgane Valley
The Ouirgane valley was badly hit by the earthquake and heavily damaged. You can choose to hike in the area, just make sure to confirm with your accommodation before booking.
The Ouirgane Valley is a picturesque and tranquil region nestled in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, ideal for visiting local Berber villages and communities. The valley is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, characterised by lush greenery set against the backdrop of the rugged Atlas Mountains.
The number of hikes and excursions you can do in the area is vast. We listed here the 3 best activities that you can do depending on your interests or the time you have available:
Explore the traditional Berber villages
You can take a guided tour that will walk you through the scattered Berber villages present in the valley. These villages offer a glimpse into the local way of life, with traditional architecture, friendly locals, and a chance to experience Berber hospitality.
We recommend: This guided tour of the Ouirgane Valley from Marrakech including lunch in a traditional Berber village!
Hike in the Azzaden Valley
There are a number of treks that you can do in this region, with or without a guide, that will allow you to explore the picturesque landscapes, including terraced fields, Berber villages, and lush greenery.
Visit Anima Garden
The Anima Garden is a botanical garden created by the André Heller Foundation. The garden features a harmonious blend of plants, sculptures, and artworks in a stunning setting. It offers a unique and artistic experience within the natural surroundings of the Atlas.
How to get to the High Atlas
Marrakech is at the doors of the High Atlas region and the closest big city to reach every destination listed in this article. There are a number of buses per day from Marrakech and some other cities in Morocco, but depending on your point of origin you may need to change a few times. The locals themselves resort to hitchhiking rather than waiting for the bus! In our opinion the easiest way to visit the High Atlas mountains is with your own car or a rental. You can check car rental prices for Morocco here.
Note: Travel insurance is a must for any travel abroad, especially when renting a car. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
If you don’t have your own car, or can’t rent one, we recommend booking an organised tour. There are many tour operators in cities around Morocco offering all inclusive tour packages to visit the High Atlas. Booking a tour takes all the stress out of using the slow and often unreliable public transport options. You can book these in advance online before you arrive. See below for some tour recommendations from different parts of Morocco.
From Marrakech
We recommend: Visiting as part of an organised tour!
By bus / taxi: There are multiple buses running per day that connect Marrakech to Imlil. Journey time is around 2 hours and costs around 10 euros. You can also take a taxi from Marrakech to Imlil for around 30 euros.
When booking train and bus tickets abroad, we always use 12go.asia. You can check timetables and prices online and it’s often cheaper than booking in person! Check our 12go.asia here.
Where to sleep
There are no shortage of great places to stay in the High Atlas, with prices to suit all budgets. All of the recommendations below are properties rated 8+/10 and most have breakfast included!
Hotels in High Atlas View all
Where to go next
After exploring the stunning region of the High Atlas mountains, you could head south-east to the Sahara desert to visit Merzouga. We spent 2 nights camping in the desert dunes here and wrote all about our experience here on the blog. This is a must do experience in Morocco!
Alternatively you can visit the little seaside beautiful city of Essaouira, to enjoy the good weather and the arty streets.
If you have any suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
Leave a Reply