Things to do · Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are famous for Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167 metres the highest peak in North Africa, for the Amazigh (Berber) villages that cling to their valleys, and for the trekking, passes and kasbahs that lie within a day's drive of Marrakech. The range runs some 2,500 km across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Here is what makes it known.
Why they're famous
At 4,167 metres, Toubkal is the summit of the High Atlas and of North Africa. In summer it is a non-technical two-day trek from the village of Imlil; in winter, snow and ice make it a mountaineering climb.
Morocco has the High Atlas, with the tallest peaks; the Middle Atlas to the north, with cedar forests and lakes; and the drier Anti-Atlas to the south, towards the Sahara.
The valleys are home to Amazigh communities living in earth-and-stone villages above terraced fields of barley, walnut and fruit trees. Staying in a village guesthouse is one of the best ways to experience the mountains.
Beyond Toubkal, routes include the M'Goun massif, the green Aït Bougmez valley and day hikes around Imlil and the Ourika valley, with mules carrying the luggage on longer treks.
The Tizi n'Tichka pass carries the road from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Ouarzazate, with a detour to the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet. The Tizi n'Test pass to the west is narrower and quieter.
The Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou is covered in Atlas cedar forest, home to the Barbary macaque, the only macaque species found in Africa.
The Ouzoud falls are among Morocco's best known waterfalls, and the Setti Fatma cascades in the Ourika valley are a classic day trip from Marrakech.
In winter the High Atlas is snow-capped, and Oukaïmeden, about an hour and a half from Marrakech, is one of the few ski areas in Africa, snow permitting.
The range separates the greener Atlantic and Mediterranean side of Morocco from the Sahara, which is why the road over the passes changes from forest and orchards to desert and palm oases.
The mountains take their name from Atlas, the Titan of Greek mythology who held up the sky.
For Jbel Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa; Amazigh villages; trekking; high passes such as the Tizi n'Tichka; cedar forests with Barbary macaques; waterfalls; and winter snow.
In North-West Africa, running about 2,500 km across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. In Morocco the High Atlas rises just south of Marrakech.
Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167 metres, in the High Atlas about 65 km south of Marrakech.
Yes. Imlil, the Ourika valley and the Ouzoud falls are popular day trips. Climbing Toubkal needs at least two days.
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