No 4. Toubkal 4,167m, Morocco.

Updated: Jun 23, 2022

February 2008 - Toubkal 4,167m, Morocco (UN Country High Point).

Information

Toubkal or Tubkal is a mountain peak in southwestern Morocco located in the Toubkal National Park. At 4,167 metres (13,671 ft), it is the highest peak in Morocco, the entire Atlas Mountain range and North Africa. It is located 63 km (39 mi) south of the city of Marrakesh. Toubkal is an ultra prominent peak, the highest for over 2,000 km (1,200 mi). For hikers and climbers it is the most popular mountain objective in the Atlas mountains.

Summary

This is a great mountain that I have now done twice, once in summer and once in winter. I have decided to write up the winter ascent (February) of what is simply the highest peak in North Africa. I completed the hike up to the top with a friend in two days and went unguided as we are pretty proficient but we did hire a mule and mule for the heavier rucksacks. We started from Imlil and spent the first day hiking up in good weather all the way to the substansive Toubkal refuge at 3.2km. This first day up to the refuge is great, passing through mountain valleys and little humans settlements where you can stop for refreshments. There was only snow for the last hour or so of the trek and the trekking wasn’t that challenging for a normal fit person and there is no scrambling. The hike up took about 5-6 hours and we did not rush in anyway.

After a comfortable night in the refuge we started at about six am on the second day and wore crampons. We took an ice axe just in case but it was not needed as the snow conditions were nigh on perfect. The second day is shorter but steeper and the views are great. The weather in this part of the world is pretty stable and we were blessed with pretty clear skies and wonderful vistas. The path is pretty well trodden in winter or summer so navigation is not really an issue but you should still be proficient just in case of of adverse weather befalls you.

We arrived on the summit in around two hours and after our photo shoot we dropped down to the refuge a different way just to have a change. Once we arrived at the refuge and had a break we picked up our main sacks and returned all the way down to Imlil. Another full day’s trek but the whole enterprise was simply superb.

Parking: n/a

Route: Standard two day route from Imlil sleeping at Toubkal refuge.

Route Statistics: A total of 13.4 mi / 21.5 km over two days with 2,353m of ascent.

Ascent Entry on Peakbagger: Mount Toubkal

GPX files: For gpx files click on the below.