4 walks in the Atlas Mountains
SUMMIT TOUBKAL
Most will visit by the main mountain route as described in the early part of Alice’s story, before returning by the same route.
Time taken: 2 days
Total distance: 37km/23 miles
Total ascent: 2390m/7841ft
Alice recommends the guide Lahcen Idd Mansour, who you can contact through Imlil Bureau Des Guides, or instagram.com/lahcen_mountains_guide/
IMLIL TO TIZI OUSSEM VIA AZEEB TAMSOULT
Time taken: 2 days
Total distance: 20km/12.4 miles
Total ascent: 800m+/2624ft
Alice did this walk with eight women and the operator Intrepid Travel. It combines some glorious country with an opportunity to meet and work alongside Amazigh women in the village. From Imlil, climb to the pass of Tizi Mizik at just over 3200m. From there, you walk down through an ancient juniper forest, past the best orange juice stop in the world, to a valley only accessible on foot or by mule where you can camp or stay in the refuge. Surrounded by peaks, shepherds’ enclosures and terraced agriculture, it’s a piece of paradise. The next day is an easier walk to Tizi Oussem where she joined three women as they went to cut grass for their cows. It was an extraordinary glimpse into a different way of life and full of laughter and friendship.
Intrepid Trave:l intrepidtravel.com
IMLIL TO ARMD
Time taken: half day
Total distance: 10km/6.2 miles
Total ascent: 400m/1312ft
If you only have a short time and would like to sample the mountains, do some climbing and get spectacular views, this is a great option. At the T-Junction in the centre of Imlil, take the road branching off the main drag and follow it up, turning left to pass Kasbah Du Toubkal then up the zig-zags, across the bridge and up to Armd. Walk up through Armd, past the fields and orchards at the top and follow the path into the big valley at the foot of the Dogs’ Teeth ridge. There is a natural underwater spring. Keep following the path up. Turn towards the left and go up to the small summit where you can see right across the valley. Then take the path down through a woodland filled with conifers. When you come out at the tarmac road, turn left down to the village again. Watch out for eagles!
IMIN TADERT TO OURIKA
Time taken: 4 days
Total distance: 65km/40 miles
Total ascent: 2750m/9022ft
This takes you right off the beaten track and has one very challenging descent. It begins at 1300m before climbing to Ouigrane village and then on to the Yagour plateau to visit some fascinating rock carvings. Day 2 takes you to the Zat Valley and Zaroun village with an overnight at Taghrzirt at 1800m. Day 3 is another 1000m of ascent to Tizi Tilst then a very rough descent to Tourcht village. Day 2 and 3 of this route are especially challenging. The last day is a walk out to the Ourika valley. Alice stayed in Amazigh houses for this trip, which was fascinating and itchy – she slept on an uncured sheepskin and got eaten by fleas!
This route was put together for Alice by Noureddine Bachar of
Epic Travel, epic.travel, but similar routes can be planned with Pathfinders Treks pathfinderstreks.com