What could be better than hiking in Morocco’s mountains in springtime? The French outlet “Le Figaro” proposes five great spots to hike in Morocco, to enjoy the beautiful landscapes before summer..
The country has a rare diversity of landscapes with a dozen peaks topping 4,000 meters, making Morocco the perfect place for hiking.
The first destination that the outlet proposed is Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa with 4,167-meter altitudes. In the heart of a 38,000-hectare national park, 70 km south of Marrakech, Toubkal attracts novices and sports enthusiasts alike.
For two- or three-day hikes, the starting point is usually at Imlil. After a short night in a bivouac or in one of the hosthouses perched at 3,207 meters, hikers tackle the 900-meter ascent on a steep but steady trail.
The first rays of sunlight make the ridges glow against a backdrop of austerely beautiful black rock. After a three-hour hike, the view from the summit is sublime: on a clear day, the view unfolds 360 degrees, from the neighboring peaks to the curves of the Saghro and Siroua djebels, heralding the Anti-Atlas.
As the presence of a guide is compulsory, it is advisable to use a reputable agency if you plan to hike from Marrakech.
The Rose Valley, near Kelaat M’gouna (south-east Morocco), is a must-see destination in spring when the Damascus rose fragrances fill the area.
This large town is the stronghold of Damascus rose cultivation. The fragrant rose’s harvest is celebrated every spring at the end of April/beginning of May, with 3,200 tonnes in 2022, Morocco is the world’s third-largest producer.
Between flamboyant canyons and gorges, cubist houses, and kasbahs in ochre hues, as in the village of El Hot, the roses’ colors and fragrances accompany hikers on the trails along the Oued M’Goun.
Not far from the Vallee des Roses are the mountains of M’goun or Petit Tibet. The most experienced trekkers will attempt the ascent of the summit, the third highest in the Kingdom (4,068 meters), a formidable itinerary punctuated by spectacular stops. The pastures of Ikiss Arous are dotted with sheep pens.
It takes around five hours to walk on a mostly windy ridge path to enjoy the panoramic views over the massif and to the far south.
A six-hour drive east of Morocco’s red city, the Aït Bougmez Valley is perched between 1,800 and 2,200 meters above sea level and is so peaceful that it is known as the happy valley.
At the end of winter, life flows to the rhythm of nature, barley and wheat come into bloom, apple trees are studded with flowers and the sun heats the mud bricks with which men adorn their houses. It is the perfect time of year for the whole family to take to the trails.
Spotting dinosaur footprints at Ibaqallioun, climbing up to the round granary at Sidi Moussa, or picking poppies and other wildflowers – there’s plenty to captivate even the littlest ones.
For hikers and beach lovers, Essaouira’s Atlantic coast is the best destination, with dunes facing the ocean waves, cliffs from which a miraculous waterfall flanked by a marabout or shrine rises, and coves where blue boats waddle.
Alongside the mountains, the Atlantic coast around Essaouira is a breeding ground for gentle hikes, which families can enjoy at a camel’s pace.
Starting from Imssouane, 100 km south of Essaouira, the hiker can wander between cliffs, dunes, and argan tree-planted inland paths, watching for the infinite shades of blue of the ocean and the green of the vegetation.