DAY 1

Walk from Imlil to Tacheddirt

In Imlil, the principal trailhead for trekkers in the Toubkal Region, we meet our mule team and, once all our gear is loaded, we begin walking through a side valley that heads eastwards towards Tacheddirt, some 8 km away. At first the trail rises as we climb up to the pass of Tizi n’Tamatert (2279m) after which we descend on the far side to the pretty village of Ouaneskra (2200m) in the Imenane Valley. We then continue gently upriver for a further half-hour or so to Tacheddirt (2300m), where we set up camp near the riverside. 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 2

Walk from Tacheddirt to Azib Likemt

We immediately begin a long, slow ascent to Tizi Likemt (3555m), the pass to the south of Tacheddirt. The reward for our climb is a fine view of the Toubkal Massif before we set about a long downhill descent on the far side to the isolated hamlet of Azib Likemt (2600m). Once there, we set up our camp for the night beside a lovely stream in the beautiful Tifni Valley. 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 3

Walk from Azib Likemt to Amsouzert

This day is long but quite easy, passing through an ever-changing landscape. From Azib Likemt we climb, gently at first but gradually more steeply, to Tizi n’Ouraï (3109m) from which we enjoy further views of the Toubkal Massif, including the summit itself (4167m) and Ifni Dome (3876m). The trail then leads down towards Amsouzert (1740m), one of the many striking villages in the region, where we spend the night in a local gite. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 4

Walk from Amsouzert to Lac d’Ifni (Ifni Lake)

The trail heads along the Islane Valley to the west of Amsouzert. It leads through several small villages, which we have time to explore, as we make our way towards Lac d’Ifni (2312m), the only lake in the Toubkal Massif and the largest lake in the entire High Atlas. It is a memorable sight; encircled by steep-sided rocky mountains, its deep, blue-green waters invite you to take a swim and wash away the mountain dust. Expect to arrive by lunchtime and to spend the afternoon relaxing before camping for the night right by the lakeside. 4 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 5

Walk from Lac d’Ifni to Refuge les Mouflons

By now you will have fully acclimatised, be fully into your walking stride and be ready to tackle the hardest two days of the trek. We make our way along a steep path that leads up a seemingly endless scree slope. At length we reach the pass of Tizi n’Ouanoums (3664m), a narrow ledge leading between two rocky faces. From here it is a long zigzag descent on the far side to the renowned Refuge les Mouflons (3207m), where we either camp or sleep in the refuge according to the season. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 6

Ascend to the summit of Jebel Toubkal and then descend to Imlil

We leave before dawn, following a clear trail to the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m). Although the walking is relatively straightforward, the scree and altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. However, if conditions are good, it should take no more than 3 hours to reach the summit. What is more, the views along the way are quite spectacular and when we reach the summit we will be rewarded with breath-taking, unrestricted views in every direction, as far as to the Haouz Plain in the north and to the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the fringes of the Sahara Desert in the south. Retracing our steps to Refuge les Moufflons, we then descend further and fairly rapidly to the venerated shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (2310m) and the historic village of Aremd (1960m), before following the Mizane River along a well-forested path back to the trailhead at Imlil. 9 hours walking, approximately.