Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167 meters, and the hike starts in Imlil, a mountain village at about 1,740 meters in the High Atlas. Most people climb it in two days, with a night at the Toubkal Refuge, and a licensed mountain guide is required. If you do not want to climb, Imlil is also one of the best places in Morocco for easy walks through Amazigh villages, walnut groves and terraced fields.
Imlil is the easiest way to see the High Atlas from Marrakech. Here is how the Toubkal hike works, what to expect on gentler walks, when to go and where to stay.
Imlil: The Gateway to Toubkal
Imlil sits at the end of the road in the Mizane valley, below the peaks of Toubkal National Park. The village is a base for trekkers, with small guesthouses, mule handlers and mountain guides, and stone houses built into the hillside above the river. Even if you never set foot on the summit trail, a night here is a calm change from the cities.
The Toubkal Hike Step by Step
Day 1: Imlil to the Toubkal Refuge
The trail leaves Imlil through the village of Aroumd, at about 1,900 meters, then follows the valley up past the small shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. From there the path climbs steadily to the Toubkal Refuge, at about 3,207 meters, where you have dinner and sleep in shared rooms. Mules can carry your bags up to the refuge.
Day 2: Summit and Descent
You leave the refuge before dawn and climb a steep, rocky path to the summit at 4,167 meters. On a clear day the view stretches across the High Atlas and, towards the south, the plains leading to the Sahara. Then you descend all the way back to Imlil.
Two Days or Three?
Two days is the classic plan for fit hikers. A third day gives your body more time to adjust to the altitude and makes the summit day easier. Ask us and we will plan the pace that suits you.
Do You Need a Guide for Toubkal?
Yes. Hikers in the Toubkal area must go with a licensed mountain guide, and the police check passports at checkpoints on the trail. A guide also knows the weather, the route and the refuge, and arranges mules and meals. On our tours, we book a licensed local guide for you.
How Hard Is the Toubkal Hike?
Toubkal is a hike, not a technical climb, in summer. The challenge is the altitude and the long, steep summit day on loose rock. You do not need climbing experience, but you should be fit and used to long days of walking uphill. If you feel headaches, dizziness or nausea at altitude, tell your guide and slow down or turn back.
Day Hikes from Imlil
Not every traveler wants to climb a 4,000 meter peak. From Imlil you can:
- Walk to Aroumd. A short climb to the village above Imlil, with views over the valley and the peaks.
- Hike between villages. Paths link Amazigh villages through walnut and apple orchards and terraced fields, with mint tea in a local home along the way.
- Ride a mule. For a gentler day, a mule can carry you on part of the trail.
Best Time to Hike Toubkal
- June to September: The summer trekking season, dry and the busiest.
- May and October: Excellent months, cooler and quieter.
- November to April: Snow and ice cover the upper mountain, so the climb needs crampons, an ice axe and winter experience. Day walks around Imlil are still possible.
See the best time to visit Morocco and the weather in Morocco.
What to Pack
- Broken-in hiking boots and trekking poles
- Warm layers, a fleece and a windproof jacket, even in summer, because nights at the refuge are cold
- A sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- A headlamp for the early summit start
- Water bottles and snacks
- In winter, crampons and an ice axe, usually arranged through your guide
For clothing tips, see what to wear in Morocco.
Where to Stay in Imlil
Spending a night in Imlil before or after your hike makes the trip far less rushed. These stays are ranked by Booking.com guest scores and reviews, checked in October 2026. Many guesthouses sit above the road, so a mule may carry your bags for the last stretch.
| Stay | Where | Score | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Prestige | Imlil | 9.4 (779 reviews) | Check prices |
| Riad Atlas 4 Seasons | Imlil | 9.5 (672 reviews) | Check prices |
| Berber Family Lodge | Imlil | 9.4 (633 reviews) | Check prices |
| Smile House Imlil | Imlil | 9.4 (428 reviews) | Check prices |
| Dar Adrar | Imlil | 9.4 (346 reviews) | Check prices |
| Atlas Imoula | Imlil | 9.4 (336 reviews) | Check prices |
| Le Reflet d’Imlil | Imlil | 9.7 (326 reviews) | Check prices |
| Douar Samra | Near Imlil | 9.0 (237 reviews) | Check prices |
| Riad Berber Towers | Imlil | 9.8 (174 reviews) | Check prices |
| Kasbah Tamadot | Asni (luxury) | 9.6 (63 reviews) | Check prices |
How to Get to Imlil and Get Around
Getting There
Imlil is south of Marrakech in the High Atlas, reached by road through the village of Asni. There is no train, so you have three options:
- Private driver. The easiest and most comfortable choice. Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech, takes you to Imlil and collects you when you come down. On our tours, this is included.
- Shared grand taxi. Shared grand taxis leave from the taxi ranks near Bab er Rob, outside the Marrakech medina, and set off once every seat is full. Some go all the way to Imlil. Others stop in Asni, where you change to another grand taxi or a local van for the last stretch up to Imlil. Waiting for the taxis to fill can make the trip take much longer.
- Chartered taxi. You can also hire a whole grand taxi for your group from Bab er Rob or your hotel. Agree on the price and the plan before you leave.
Shared taxis are cheap but slow and cramped, with no room for much luggage, so for a first trip to the mountains a private driver is the better choice.
Getting Around
- On foot. The village and the trails are only explored on foot.
- By mule. Mules carry luggage to guesthouses above the road and up to the Toubkal Refuge.
- With your guide. Your guide leads every hike and handles the checkpoints on the Toubkal trail.
Toubkal Hike FAQ
4,167 meters, the highest peak in North Africa.
Two days from Imlil, with a night at the Toubkal Refuge, or three for a slower pace.
Yes. A licensed mountain guide is required, and passports are checked on the trail.
Fit beginners can, in summer, because it is a hike rather than a technical climb. The altitude and the long summit day are the main challenges.
Yes. Imlil is a great base for easy village walks and a night in the mountains.
By private driver, which is the easiest option, or by shared grand taxi from the ranks near Bab er Rob, sometimes changing in Asni for the last stretch to Imlil. There is no train.
Plan Your Trip
Imlil and Toubkal fit well at the start or the end of a trip from Marrakech. Compare routes in our Morocco itinerary planner, see how many days you need in Morocco, the other things to do in Morocco and what a private tour costs.
Tell us your travel dates, the number of travelers, your hotel level (Standard, Affordable Lux or Deluxe) and the city you are flying in and out of. Fill in the form below and we will send you a day by day itinerary and a quote.
Learn more about our private tours across Morocco, and follow Simply Morocco on Instagram and Facebook.
