Mt. Toubkal is one of the highest peaks in the Atlas Mountains. It is located in Africa, namely in Marrakech. Its landscapes are breathtaking and immediately remain in your heart. More and more tourists who love sports recreation seek to travel here. And no wonder Toubkal is considered a trekking mountain. Many prefer to conquer it in summer, but climbing in wintertime is not so difficult.
If you are still pondering where to rest during your next vacation, you can go to Mount Toubkal Tours whenever you want!
Toubkal location
Mount Toubkal in northern Africa is not the only 4000-meter peak. Ouanoukrim and Timesguida are located next to each other and are 4083 and 4088 meters. However, Toubkal is the highest point in Morocco, the Atlas Mountains, and the northern part of the African continent.
Its largest massif has two peaks: the main peak, with a height of 4165 meters, and Toubkal “Ouest” slightly smaller at 4030 meters. The approach to the main peak is not difficult and goes on a stony path, and that is why it attracts many tourists and those wishing to climb it.
The second one is considered more difficult and is located on the right side from the beginning of the classical route. The array is hard to overcome alone and also requires experience in mountaineering and rock climbing.
Many people compare the peak to the Caucasus and the Alps because of the similar type of relief and folding.
Hiking Toubkal
The route to the top of the Atlas Mountains starts from the small town of Imlil. The settlement is a 60-minute drive from Marrakech. It is literally squeezed into the gorge of the Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 1700 meters.
Mount Toubkal Tours mostly consist of 2 days. On the first day, the gear is picked up, and information about the route is read. On the second day, the climb up the mountain itself is done.
The road to the peak is divided into 3 parts:
- Passage to the Toubkal shelter (9-kilometer section with height differences up to 1400 m). In this section, things are carried by mules. You can give them about 60 kilograms of cargo or no more than 4 bags.
- Peak assault from the Toubkal shelter to the highest point
- Descent down
From Imlil to the mountain shelter in terms of time, the road takes no more than five hours. After a short rest, the group prepares to climb the classic assault.
Climbers from the shelter start at 5-6 am. If pilgrims want to meet the dawn on the summit, it is better to go to the assault at 3-4 am.
Most of the ascent is a stony path, but rocky sections are at the beginning of the way and below the summit. In winter, some places are icy, and there is steep firn, so climbing in crampons. Trekking sticks are obligatory for climbing Toubkal, even in summer.
When climbing in spring, you should consider that there is a lot of snow on the mountain. It is frozen at night and melts during the day, making moving down difficult.
The height of Mount Toubkal is 4165 meters. From it, you can see the peaks of the Atlas Mountains perfectly.
The descent down from the summit takes 2-3 hours. Running down to Imlil from the shelter takes another 3-4 hours.
The two-day ascent is suitable for people with good physical fitness. Thus, you can leave Marakesh in the morning, climb the mountain on the second day and be back in Marakesh in the evening of the second day.
Food in Toubkal
There are no problems with food here. The Toubkal shelter offers three meals a day, and you can also buy some quick snacks (chips, snickers, cola). In general, it makes sense to bring alcohol because it is harder to buy it here. On the way to the shelter, there are small settlements where you can drink a glass of fresh orange juice made in front of you.
What kind of equipment should I choose to conquer the highest peak in North Africa?
For those who are going to conquer the Moroccan peak, it is necessary to prepare well all the necessary equipment and outfit. It is important to take with you:
- Warmer sleeping bag
- Shoes that do not get wet
- Warmer clothes and underwear (including warm gloves and a hat)
- Trekking stick and booties
- Flashlight
- Backpack
If you conquer Toubkal not in summer, it will be enough to take a demi-seasonal sleeping bag and a simple three-layer outfit.
If the hike occurs in summer, sunscreen, headgear, sunglasses, and windproof clothing should be taken.
The shoes you choose should be durable and firm, well fix the foot. Hiking boots for winter hiking and hiking sneakers for summer hiking are optimal. Crampons are also necessary in winter to help you move around on firn.
A storm jacket is a must-have piece of equipment at any time of the year, as the weather here changes very often.
Generally, it is better to visit Morocco to climb to the top of Toubkal in the off-season – spring or fall. At this time, there is no such scorching heat and no cold in the mountains. During the day, the temperature reaches up to 20 degrees, and at night it can drop to zero. The slopes of the mountains are covered with snow.
Conclusion
Morocco is a very bright, colorful country. There are a lot of monuments of architecture and nature listed by UNESCO. Besides, the unique combination of mountains, the Atlantic Ocean, the Sahara desert, and history make this country popular.
Anyone who decides to conquer the peaks of the Atlas Mountains may well do it on their own! But, although Morocco is a warm country, it is important to take into account that the winter in the mountains is very cold. There is a lot of snowfall. At altitudes of 2000 meters, the temperature can be -5…-10 degrees Celsius and even colder.
