8 Best Hikes in Morocco for All Experience Levels

Want to tackle some of the best hikes in Morocco? Discover 8 incredible walks in this ruggedly beautiful country, from easy day walks to multi-day treks.

Encompassing majestic mountains and sublime desert landscapes, Morocco is a trekker’s paradise. The country’s cedar forests and tranquil valleys are ideal walking country while the close-knit rural villages of the mountains welcome visitors with some of the warmest hospitality you’ll ever experience.

Whether you’re into short hikes or multi-day treks, there are options for every skill level.

While mighty Jebel Toubkal (North Africa’s highest peak) attracts hordes of hikers to its slopes, some of the best hikes in Morocco remain blissfully crowd-free. These hidden gems showcase landscapes every bit as breathtaking as Toubkal but without the crowds.

So get ready to lace up your boots and venture off the beaten path to discover North Africa’s spectacular terrain on some of the best hikes in Morocco. At the end of each day, you’ll find cosy refuges and village homestays to rest your head and hearty tagines as your reward. 

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Jebel Toubkal

27km/2 days

The High Atlas Mountains of Morocco are a trekker’s paradise, with snow-capped peaks and remote villages that provide a backdrop to some of the best hikes in Morocco. Known locally as Idraren Draren, this rugged range runs diagonally for nearly 1,000 kilometres across the country. The crown jewel is undoubtedly the 4,167-metre Jebel Toubkal – North Africa’s highest peak. 

Those who brave the steep zigzag path to its summit will be rewarded with incredible views. They stretch all the way to the Sahara on a clear day. If you’ve got more than two days up your sleeve, tackle the challenging Toubkal Circuit. This six-day hike takes in Amazigh villages, rocky ridges and breathtaking passes.

Dotted along the circuit are several trekking refuges and homestays where you can overnight. This is definitely one of the best hikes in Morocco for cultural immersion!

The mountain town of Imlil is the gateway for most expeditions. Be sure to hire an experienced guide, as they are mandatory in Toubkal National Park. Conditions in the Atlas Mountains are best for trekking in spring and fall. The snow cover in winter adds another set of challenges.

To summit Jebel Toubkal over two days, join this small-group adventure beginning in Marrakech. It includes overnight accommodation and all meals. Alternatively, you can catch glimpses of North Africa’s highest peak on this one-day trek through Toubkal National Park.

Jebel Saghro Circuit

90km/5 days

Wedged between the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert’s ever-shifting sands lies the starkly beautiful Saghro Massif. This rugged region is characterised by deep canyons, flat-topped mesas and otherworldly rock formations. It’s also here that you’ll find some of southern Morocco’s most spectacular desert landscapes.

The five-day Saghro Circuit begins at Tagdilt near Boumalne Dades and ends at Kalaat M’Gouna – the gateway to the Valley of the Roses. Although there are steep ascents and descents, the trails are generally lower-lying. Generally speaking, they’re less challenging than those of the High Atlas.

The highest peak, Amalou n’Mansour, stands at 2,712 metres. That being said, most of the mountain passes range from 1,500 to 2,500 metres in elevation. Add an extra day to reach the 2,595-metre summit of Jebel Kouaouch, which boasts views rivalling those of Toubkal. 

The stony tracks of the Saghro Circuit are traversed more by the semi-nomadic Aït Atta tribe than by tourists. Without a guide, you’ll need excellent navigation skills and be sure to stock up on supplies before embarking. Shorter out-and-back trails and one-way walks also abound in this region (see the section on Dades and Todra gorges below).

This guided Jebel Saghro Circuit trek begins and ends in Marrakech and includes guides, all accommodation and most meals. 

M’goun Circuit

60km/6 days

Forming part of the Central High Atlas mountains is the verdant Aït Bougmez Valley. It lures intrepid trekkers with its untouched beauty and warm hospitality.

Each spring, this hidden gem comes alive as nomadic Ait Atta tribes make the arduous two-week journey to graze their herds in the valley’s lush pastures and crystalline rivers.

The scenic village of Agouti (four hours from Marrakech) marks the start of the valley’s most popular hike. Over the course of 6 days, it takes in the towering M’Goun Massif, Morocco’s second-highest peak.

Not only will you summit this impressive mountain, but you’ll also discover the idyllic valley of Ait Bouguemez, affectionately nicknamed the “Happy Valley.”

Along the way to Ait Bouguemez, take an optional detour to the stunning Ouzoud Waterfalls and visit the historic grain store of Sidi Moussa.

The ideal time to trek the M’goun Circuit is spring through autumn before winter snows cloak the valley.

Be sure to hire an experienced mountain guide, who will help you navigate your way between the valley’s trekking refuges and homestays. They’ll also handle mules, meals and more as you immerse yourself in the raw splendour.

With its wealth of natural and cultural wonders, this trek promises an unforgettable experience. In my opinion, it’s one of the best hikes in Morocco.

Talassemtane National Park Circuit

50km/4 days

While the High Atlas draws most trekkers to Toubkal, the lesser-known Rif Mountains in northern Morocco offer a hidden gem: the Talassemtane National Park Circuit. This scenic five-day route immerses you in the heart of the Rif Mountains, with experiences both in the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen and the park’s serene forests and hills.

The journey begins and ends in Chefchaouen’s picturesque maze of blue-washed streets. But it soon transports you into Talassemtane’s wilderness, where rushing streams tumble through dense cedar and fir forests.

As you hike beneath these endangered trees, watch for mischievous Barbary macaques playing in the canopy. This is one of the best treks in Morocco for wildlife enthusiasts!

Throughout the trek, you’ll camp wild beneath the stars and stay in local gîtes, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rural Moroccan lifestyle. The Talassemtane Circuit is ideal those seeking a memorable Moroccan trekking experience beyond the crowded High Atlas trails.

If you only have one day up your sleeve, I recommend this full-day excursion to Mount Lakraa, the highest peak in Talassemtane National Park. 

To learn more about visiting Chefchaouen, including getting there and the best places to stay, check out my Essential Travel Guide to Chefchaouen.

Monkey Trail

7.4km/2.5 hours

Just a short drive from Morocco’s “Little Switzerland,” Ifrane National Park entices outdoor enthusiasts with its rugged natural beauty. Spread across 800 square kilometres of the Middle Atlas Mountains, it protects endangered Barbary macaques and the largest cedar forests in the country. Additionally, it provides a setting for one of Morocco’s best short hikes.

Though once widespread, Barbary macaques now cling to survival in the northern mountain ranges of Morocco and Algeria. Hike the aptly named Monkey Trail for your best chance at spotting them in the wild, along with other forest-dwellers like foxes and wild boar. The shade of soaring oak and cedar trees makes the trail ideal for runners and mountain bikers too.

While the hiking is relatively easy, hiring a local guide will enrich your experience. Not only will they explain the park’s diverse flora and fauna but also shed light on the threats these unique macaques face. Though human interaction and the exotic pet trade endanger the species, Ifrane National Park offers hope for their future.

This full-day tour from Fes includes a visit to Ifrane and its cedar forests, with the chance to spot Barbary macaques. 

Cascades d’Akchour + Bridge of God

14km/5 hours

Nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is well and truly on the map thanks to its blue-hued architecture. Once you’ve wandered its cobbled lanes and people-watched in the lively square, trade the urban hustle and bustle for the great outdoors in nearby Akchour, home to one of Morocco’s best day hikes. 

From the village of Akchour, stroll through evergreen forests and past moss-laden rock formations en route to the Cascades d’Akchour. Located within Talassemtane National Park, this series of picturesque waterfalls includes several emerald pools, perfect for a refreshing dip.

Afterward, make the steep scramble up to the Bridge of God, an impressive natural archway spanning two cliffs. At the end of your trek, reward yourself with a well-earned tagine at one of the roadside stalls near Akchour.

Beginning and ending in Chefchaouen, this tour to the Cascades d’Akchour includes a short but memorable trek through Talassemtane National Park. 

To learn more about visiting Chefchaouen, check out my Essential Travel Guide to Chefchaouen.

Erg Zahar

75km/4 days

Journey to the legendary Erg Zahar dunes on this epic four-day trek across the Moroccan desert. These golden hills earned their fearsome nickname, the “Screaming Dunes,” from a chilling local legend. Today, they provide a backdrop to one of the best hikes in Morocco.

Beginning in the oasis town of M’hamid, follow the path of the Draa River. Along the way, you’ll pass swaying palm groves and ancient villages baked from mud brick. Crossing over stony plateaus, the landscape transforms into a surprising riverside oasis, with desert flora drinking from an underground water source. 

After days of hiking through this desert wonderland, the rolling waves of Erg Zahar finally come into view. It’s a sea of golden sand extending as far as the eye can see. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trek for intrepid travellers seeking to go beyond the well-trodden camel treks of Merzouga.

Far more remote than the popular Erg Chebbi dunes, Erg Zahar promises an unforgettable adventure into an untouched wilderness.

Todra and Dades Gorges 

Varying lengths/durations

Carved by the Todra and Dades rivers over millions of years, these sandstone gorges in the Atlas Mountains provide the perfect playground for some of Morocco’s best day treks. Here, you can hike through date palm oases and traverse the gorges’ rocky cliffs on winding trails that offer breathtaking views.

One of the most popular treks in the area is the 3.5-hour hike from Aït Oudinar to Tamlalt along the eastern side of the Dades Valley. It takes in crumbling kasbahs and ancient fortified villages, as well as the dramatic rock formations known as the “Monkey’s Fingers”.

If you’re embarking on this Dades Valley hike, begin early to avoid the midday heat and bring sturdy boots and plenty of water. With a local guide, you can venture off-trail without worrying about getting lost – the trails here aren’t particularly well-marked. 

This guided Monkey Finger’s canyon hike in Dades Gorge takes in 7 kilometres of spectacular scenery over its three-hour duration. 

To learn more about visiting Todra and Dades gorges, check out my Essential Travel Guide to Todra + Dades + Skoura.

About Me

I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.

Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.

I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.