10 Best Hiking Trails in Morocco
Take a Walk Around Morocco's Most Beautiful Landscapes
The best hiking trails in Morocco will allow trekkers to get a true sense of this stunning North African country. Hikers can find trails for every skill level, from easy walks through lush vegetation to demanding mountain peaks that require an advanced level of scrambling and climbing.
Morocco’s weather and terrain can be extreme, so planning is key. But a well-prepared hike will offer great rewards. Visitors might discover endangered macaques or any number of exotic birds and mammals. They might walk through rough, barren terrain, or shaded forests. Along the way, villages will provide hikers with prime examples of Moroccan culture. The opportunities for adventure are limitless.
1. Jebel Toubkal
The highest peak in the Arab world
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
Jebel Toubkal, located in southwestern Morocco, is the highest peak in the Arab world at almost 4 km. The Toubkal Circuit is an almost 64-km loop that takes most hikers an average of 4 to 6 days to complete. A vast majority of Toubkal hikers head out on these trails as part of a guided group.
Billed as one of Africa’s finest multiday treks, Jebel Toubkal provides hikers with varied terrain. Climbs to its passes can be rocky and long, while the valleys offer both lush and barren landscapes. Consider hiking Jebel Toubkal in late spring or early fall. Despite the heat and lack of water, summer is the peak season, and the trail is often crowded.
Jebel Toubkal
2. Todgha Gorge
River canyons that draw hikers and rock climbers
Categoría: Aventura, Familias
Todgha Gorge, also known as Todra Gorge, is canyonland that has been formed by the Todgha River. Hikers will discover massive limestone walls that loom almost 400 meters above the river. Trails offer a wide variety of skill levels, and those along the river offer easy walks along with stunning scenery. The area is also popular with rock climbers and mountain bikers.
Visitors will find pastoral villages to explore and various hotels in the area offer opportunities for overnight stays. While temperatures can soar in the summer they drop to very cold levels from December to February.
Todgha Gorge
3. Valley of the Roses
Picturesque valley with wild roses
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
The Valley of the Roses offers hikers a chance to explore ocher rocks and green fields. Roses bloom in April and May, giving the valley a distinct color and offering a unique scent. A moderate trek through the area will take hikers along the L’Oued M’Goun, and at times it is necessary to walk through the shallow waters of the river so be sure to wear waterproof footwear.
About 4,000 tons of rose petals are collected in the area each year. The flowers are picked quickly, which means hikers shouldn’t expect huge swaths of roses. Distilled rose water is used in the production of soaps, lotions, masks, and creams that are exported and sold globally.
Valley of the Roses
4. Jebel Sirwa trek
A hike surrounding an isolated volcanic peak
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
The Jebel Sirwa trek goes through an area of barren valleys and mountain peaks. Local villages are scattered throughout the region, and local tour guides offer treks that can stretch over the period of a full week or a single day.
Jebel Sirwa itself is a volcanic peak, and hiking to its summit can require handling some difficult terrain, including steep cliffs and ridge walks. It is snow-capped for most of the year. This area is less popular than others in Morocco, so it allows hikers to find some solitude off the beaten track.
Jebel Sirwa trek
5. Talassemtane National Park
Mountainous terrain with waterfalls
Categoría: Aventura, Familias
Tallassemtane National Park covers an expansive area of mountainous terrain. Hikers will find gorges, cliffs, caves, and seasonal streams, alongside forests featuring Moroccan fir, black pine, and Atlas cedar. The woodland supports rare wildlife such as golden eagles and Barbary macaques, and altogether there are 40 mammal species and 100 types of birds in the park. How many will you find?
The park’s trails allow hikers a choice of difficult terrain or easier, shorter routes through the forests. There are 4 main destinations for hiking: the villages of El Kalaá and Akchour, a natural bridge called the Bridge of God, and a waterfall that plummets into a famous turquoise pool.
Ubicación: 4WJ9+6PV, Adeldal, Morocco
Teléfono: +212 6392-63579
Talassemtane National Park
6. Jebel El Kest
High summit in mountain range area
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
Jebel El Kest has the highest summit in the range known as the Jebel El Kest Group. It reaches an altitude of more than 2 km about sea level, and those who climb to the top are able to see the Atlas Mountains, the Atlantic Ocean, and even the Sahara Desert on a clear day.
Although the summit of Jebel El Kest can be reached without any technical climbing skills, the terrain is rough. There are 4 paths to the summit, but they are difficult to follow, so guides are recommended. There are trails that offer shorter, easier walks in the area around Jebel El Kest.
Ubicación: QXW8+24 Tagdicht, Morocco
Jebel El Kest
7. Monkey Trail
A loop known for its wildlife watching
Categoría: Fotos, Opciones económicas
Monkey Trail is located in Ifrane National Park, which covers more than 780 square km in the Middle Atlas mountains. The park has several easy trails for walking, but the Monkey Trail is known for giving hikers a chance to spot troops of Barbary macaques. The endangered primate is found only in small pockets of Morocco and Algeria’s northern mountain ranges.
The Monkey Trail is considered moderately challenging, and it takes most hikers just over 2 hours to complete the loop. The Monkey Trail is popular with trail runners and mountain bikers because it’s shaded by oak and cedar trees. Note that the trail is dog-friendly and has some off-leash areas.
Ubicación: Ifrane, Morocco
Monkey Trail
8. Paradise Valley
An oasis in the High Atlas Mountains
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
Paradise Valley is a popular destination, as it is a relatively easy hike containing palm trees, waterfalls, and clear natural pools. The hike from the parking area takes about 30 minutes, and might require traversing some small streams. There are opportunities for swimming and cliff jumping, so hikers might want to bring a change of clothes.
Note that Paradise Valley can be very crowded on weekends and during the summer months. This area has options along the way for buying food and water, though it’s always advisable to bring extra water when hiking.
Ubicación: Paradise Valley Agadir, Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane،, Agadir 80000, Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane 85000, Morocco
Horario: Daily from 6 am to 8 pm
Teléfono: +212 6272-36441
Paradise Valley
9. Azzaden Valley
Walnut groves, lush landscapes, and Berber culture
Categoría: Aventura, Historia
Azzaden Valley allows hikers to enjoy a verdant area of Morocco while also experiencing Berber culture at several villages. A half-day walk will take trekkers along ancient mule trails from the top of the valley to the bottom. The valley has plenty of vegetation and hikers might encounter walnut and almond trees, olive groves, and fruit trees.
Most of the shorter hikes in the area are considered moderately challenging. The valley can be used as part of larger treks and multiday adventures that might include Mount Toubkal. These longer treks can present challenging climbs, and hiring a guide is recommended for most hikers.
Ubicación: Ouaousaft, Morocco
Azzaden Valley
10. AmeIn Valley
Home to rock carvings and paintings
Categoría: Fotos, Opciones económicas
AmeIn Valley offers many options for day hikes or multiday treks through rocky terrain. A short hike from the town of Tafraoute can lead visitors to prehistoric rock carvings while others will lead to one of the valley’s 26 villages or to the popular Argan area. Argan trees have an olive-like fruit that is used to make skin treatments. Most of the hikes in the valley are relatively easy, but trails in the rocky terrain can be difficult and require scrambling or climbing.
A short hike from Tafraoute can also lead hikers to a unique sight: the Pierres Bleues. They’re the work of Belgian artist Jean Verame, who spray-painted the rounded boulders different colors.
Ubicación: Tafraoute, Morocco
AmeIn Valley
Este artículo incluye opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Hoteles.com compensa a los autores de los textos que aparecen en este sitio. Esta compensación podría incluir viajes y otros costos.