Visit the Toubkal Mountain From Your Guesthouse in Marrakech

The Jebel Toubkal or Toubkal Mountain is the summit of the High Atlas and North Africa's highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 metres) of altitude. It is located some 40 miles (63 kilometres) south of Marrakech, in the province of Al Haouz, inside the national park that bears its name.

In the 19th century, there was within Morocco a territory unknown to Europeans, and Jbel Ayachi, at 3,747 meters of altitude, was still considered the highest peak of the High Atlas mountain range. Indeed, the Toubkal was officially climbed for the first time June 12, 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, accompanied by Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau. At the top of the mountain they found some cairns or man-made conical piles of stones that had been built by the Berbers of the area, for whom the Toubkal is a shrine dedicated to Sidi Chamarouch. Another shrine also dedicated to him can be found on the road from Imlil to Toubkal.

The ascent of Jbel Toubkal, the roof of North Africa, attracts a large number of trekking enthusiasts. This ascent doesn't really present major technical difficulties, and the assistance of carriers and their mules avoid excessive physical effort. Moreover, the maximum height of only 4,000 meters poses few problems of mountain sickness.

Summer is the season most favourable for ascending the mountain, and although snow and rain are usually absent or very brief, violent storms can occur. The summit also offers an outstanding panorama of the whole valley after the rewarding effort. It overlooks the vast expanses of the Atlas and the Deep South, as well as the view of Jbel Sirwa 50 kilometres to the South-East, and even the vast rump of Jbel M'Goun 150 kilometres to the North-East. We also see the summit station of the Oukaimden.

The peak holiday season has changed the lives of mountain Berbers living in the area. Many people now work in the tourist industry as porters driving mules, as guides, cooks, etc. The village of Imlil, the last town accessible by road and just two days walk from Jbel Toubkal, is a genuine Moroccan Chamonix. Two shelters are located at an altitude of 3,200 metres, just 2 or 3 hours walk from the summit. Not far from the summit of Jbel Toubkal is another attraction, Lake Ifni, accessible via the Tizi n'Ouanoums (3,664 metres).