Marrakesh & Central Morocco - Morocco - page 198

BEFORE YOU GO: M'GOUN TRAVERSE TREKKING CHECKLIST
Maps & Books The 1:100,000 survey sheets Azilal, Zawyat Ahannsal, Qalat M'Gouna and Skoura
cover all of the major trekking areas. West Col Productions' 1:100,000 Mgoun Massif is occasionally
available in Morocco, and often stocked by Stanfords ( www.stanfords.co.uk ) and Omnimap
( www.omnimap.com ) . Although devoid of contours, this map is a good trail reference. The German-
produced Kultur Trekking im Zentralen Hohen Atlas shows the trek from Aït Bougomez to Kelaâ
M'Gouna, and usefully marks and grades gîtes throughout the range.
Guide Since Morocco's main mountain-guide school is in Tabant, there are many licenced local
guides with M'Goun expertise. Guides with High Atlas training from the Imlil, Marrakesh and Dadès
also have the know-how to lead M'Goun trips.
Food Basic food supplies are available in Tabant and sometimes in Abachkou.
Water Purifying locally sourced water is the most responsible option.
Fuel For gas canisters, a supermarket in Marrakesh is the best bet. Petrol, diesel and kerosene can be
bought in Azilal.
Gear When walking in spring or after heavy rain, a stick or trekking pole will help you vault over
streams. When water is high, you may want plastic or waterproof sandals to wade through rocky river-
beds.
Tent There is no gîte in Rougoult, but there is excellent camping beside the river. Your guide should
be able to arrange tents. If you don't have a tent and don't want to sleep under the stars, you'll need to
spend the night in Sebt Aït Bououli, making the second-day walk longer.
Mule Guides can sort out local muleteers and mules.
ARRIVAL DAY
To stretch your legs and camp overnight, you could stroll down the valley to Agerssif to a
riverside camping spot near the bridge. Alternatively, there is accommodation around
Tabant and right near the trailhead in Agouti.
DAY 1: AGOUTI TO ROUGOULT
DURATION SIX TO SEVEN HOURS / DISTANCE 17KM / ASCENT & DESCENT 326M
After a leisurely 1½-hour walk south along the road from Agouti, a piste road forks to the
left. Continue on this road, or take a steeper, shorter path that zigzags down into the val-
ley, rejoining the tarmac road at the village of Agerssif (1469m), which you should reach
less than three hours from Agouti. Agerssif sits at the confluence of the Lakhdar and
Bougomez Rivers, and there's a good resting/camping spot by the bridge.
The Lakhdar Valley narrows as the road climbs its south side. A half-hour upstream is
the picturesque village of Taghoulit (1519m), surrounded by juniper trees, and with a