Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BEFORE YOU GO: JEBEL TOUBKAL ASCENT CHECKLIST
Maps
The same maps are recommended as for the Toubkal Circuit (
Click here
).
Water
Purifying locally sourced water is a responsible alternative to bottled water, but don't count on
finding available water sources between June and October.
Guide
Although the route is marked, a guide (
Click here
) is recommended for the ascent, especially
for inexperienced mountaineers and in variable conditions from October to June.
Food
Meals and snacks are available at Toubkal Refuge and Refuge Mouflon, but you can also find
lunch supplies in Imlil and a wide selection of portable snacks in Marrakesh supermarkets.
Mule
For this two-day trek with limited gear requirements, most experienced trekkers won't require a
mule. If you want one, guides can organise mules and muleteers for you.
Gear
Bring a sleeping bag. You won't need a tent, unless you'd rather camp than stay at
refuges
- just
ask your guide to arrange tents in advance.
DAY 1: IMLIL TO TOUBKAL REFUGE
DURATION FIVE TO SIX HOURS / DISTANCE 10KM / ASCENT 1467M
Ideally leave
Imlil
early morning - it's uphill all the way, with little shade past Aroumd.
Follow the dirt track leading to
Aroumd
(Armed) past the
Kasbah du Toubkal
. Beyond the
kasbah, the path zigzags steeply upwards to rejoin the road at Aroumd, where towering
slopes begin to close around you.
Past Aroumd, cross the stony valley floor and follow the well-defined mule trail uphill
towards a very large rock above the eastern side of the Assif Reraya, which leads to the
hamlet and
marabout
of
Sidi Chamharouch
(2310m). Beyond the
marabout
to the left of the
track are cascades, pools and a prime picnic spot in the shady overhang of the rocks.
After crossing the river by the bridge at Sidi Chamharouch, the rocky path veers away
from the river for 2km and zigzags above the valley floor. It then levels off, before rejoin-
ing the course of the river. The
Toubkal Refuge
is visible for an hour before you reach it,
immediately below the western flank of Jebel Toubkal.
DAY 2: THE ASCENT
DURATION NINE HOURS / DISTANCE 12KM / ASCENT & DESCENT 960M
Set off as early as possible to avoid climbing in the sun - there is no shade, only rocks -
and be sure to dress warmly and pack extra water and snacks. If you've trekked here dir-
ectly from Imlil you may not be acclimatised, so walk at a steady, slow pace to avoid alti-
tude sickness. If you experience severe headache or vomiting, descend immediately.
However tempting, do not lie down to sleep on the slope.
