Morocco boasts vibrant cities and villages, breathtaking beaches and waterfalls, rolling sand dunes and rock formations, incredible food, and a host of unforgettable tourist experiences, from exploring the local souks to camping in the desert under the stars.
But there’s something that most tourists coming to Morocco often miss out on: hiking!
So if you’re planning a vacation in Morocco, putting on your hiking boots and going off the beaten path is one of the best things to check off your travel itinerary.
It’s true: hiking in Morocco offers an experience like no other. After all, there’s nothing better than getting closer to nature and soaking in beautiful natural sights.
To point you in the right direction, this guide has everything you need to know about hiking in Morocco, including what to take and wear, and the best Morocco hiking spots that you need to check out.
Does Morocco Have Good Hiking Spots?
With its lush national parks, gushing waterfalls, and quaint small villages, Morocco is a haven for hikers and trekkers looking to take in Morocco’s beauty firsthand.
There are a wealth of great hikes and trails in Morocco, many of which involve tall mountainous peaks, desert walks, and passing beneath running falls.
In fact, some of the hiking trails in Morocco can be done with a guided tour, which is especially ideal if you want to take in the best sights and get a local’s perspective of the area’s history and culture.
Morocco Hiking Checklist
Morocco follows four seasons throughout the year, but it’s still relatively hot year-round.
So for hikers and trekkers looking to head out on Morocco’s best trails, it’s worth knowing how to be prepared before setting off.
Like most hikes, it’s always a good idea to let someone know where you’re going.
On top of that, you should always bring:
- Comfortable shoes
- Sun hat
- Loose comfortable clothing
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
- Map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Rain anorak
Depending on the trail, hiking in Morocco can be a hot and uncomfortable experience. So the main thing is to cover up, bring lots of water and snacks, and pace yourself.
And, of course, make sure you don’t forget to bring your camera!
The Best Hikes In Morocco
Morocco won’t disappoint if your favorite thing to do on vacation is hiking.
There are plenty of amazing hikes in Morocco, all with unforgettable sights to take in and varying difficulties for all levels of fitness – including nature trails and treks to high-up mountain peaks!
And to help you choose where to go, we’ve listed 8 of the best places to hike in Morocco below, with a short description of what each hike has to offer and what to expect before you set off.
Jebel Toubkal
First up, Jebel Toubkal: arguably the most popular hiking spot in all of Morocco. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise, since Jebel Toubkal is the highest peak North Africa has to offer.
The view at the peak is stunning, and the trek to get there offers just as much to see along the way.
With an elevation of 4,167 meters, getting to the mountain peak of Jebel Toubkal is no walk in the park.
But if you’re of reasonable fitness, the trawl to the top offers an unforgettable experience that can be split up over two or three days.
The best time to hike Jebel Toubkal, located in the High Atlas Mountains, is May through to October. Guided hiking tours are also widely available.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is true to its name – a breathtaking valley of rivers, rock formations, freshwater pools, and lush foliage, making it the perfect location to put on your hiking boots, go exploring, and camp under the stars.
In fact, Paradise Valley is another popular destination thanks to its beautiful cascading waterfall. And it’s an ideal landmark to plan your hike around.
What’s great about Paradise Valley is that there are various short and long trails for taking in the scenery.
There are several Berber villages in the valley too, which shouldn’t be missed if you like to mingle with the locals.
M’Goun Massif
M’Goun Massif traverse is also located in the High Atlas Mountains, offering hikes of various difficulties depending on whether you choose to reach the peak or not, which tops out at 4071 meters.
Either way, the views over the surrounding valleys are stunning.
This is a good option to consider if you’re looking for a mountain hike that can be done in one day.
Despite that, M’Goun Massif also offers multi-day hiking trips, plus guided tours across various popular trails that pass flowing streams and villages home to Berber tribes.
Needless to say, if you can reach the peak, which is located in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the neighboring mountains and valleys.
Jebel Saghro
If you prefer longer hikes that allow you to take in the scenery without presenting too much of a challenge, Jebel Saghro offers a different experience to Jebel Toubkal and M’Goun Massif, leading a traverse across desert landscapes and lower mountains sitting below the 3,000-meter mark.
In fact, the highest peak (Amalou n’Mansour) is 2,712 meters, making for a relatively easier hike, despite the longer distance.
But it’s great if you like long leisurely trails with plenty of opportunities to take picnic breaks and soak up the scenery.
Jebel Saghro is located just south of the High Atlas Mountains, offering treks that can be spread out over six to eight days. So it’s also ideal for campers.
Cascades d’Akchour
Waterfalls Akchour, or Cascades d’Akchour as it’s locally known, is a group of waterfalls in Rif Valley.
It’s a popular sightseeing destination for tourists, largely due to its small and large waterfalls that can be visited across one day.
As a result, the picturesque river is a great location to hike and take in each waterfall.
The God’s Bridge (also called The Bridge of God) is another must-see landmark to include in the hike, which is a surreal rock formation creating a high arch between two tall crags.
As a well-known tourist site, there are a lot of guided tours of Cascades d’Akchour if you want to see each waterfall without straying off the path.
It’s possible to hike on your own, however, and at your own pace, ideal if you plan on swimming.
Jebel Sirwa
Part of the Anti-Atlas Mountains in South Morocco, Jebel Sirwa is a volcanic mountain with an elevation of 3,304 meters.
And much like Jebel Saghro, the surrounding scenery consists of rolling desert landscapes and unique rock formations.
Two popular hikes can be chosen from here: a week-long hike through the valleys or a two-day hike from Atougha.
The final climb to the peak is relatively challenging, however, so it’s best done by people with a reasonable level of fitness, ideally accompanied by a local tour guide.
Still, the peak doesn’t have to be the end goal, as the surrounding valleys and their rock formations already offer plenty of amazing natural beauty to take in.
Ifrane National Park
Morocco boasts 11 national parks. But, among them, Ifrane National Park stands out the most when it comes to scenic trails and picnic spots.
It’s a haven of lush flora and fauna, as well as native wildlife, covering an area that’s close to 200 square miles.
So if you much prefer forests, cliffs, rivers, and wide-open green fields over deserts and tall peaks, Ifrane National Park offers a wide range of nature trails to explore at your own leisurely pace.
It’s located in the Middle Atlas mountains and has been a popular tourist destination since 2006.
All in all, it’s a nature lover’s paradise, and the perfect location to hike if all you want to do is immerse yourself in nature without too much of a physical challenge.
Ouzoud Waterfall
Most people take a car ride to get to Ouzoud Waterfall – one of the most popular tourist destinations in Morocco.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does mean missing out on the incredible experience of hiking to the falls!
Ouzoud Waterfall is stunning, needless to say, but hiking to see the falls is a whole new experience that makes arriving at the waterfall and seeing it for the time all the more unforgettable.
So if you’re planning on visiting Ouzoud Waterfall (as most tourists and backpackers do), think about hiking to the waterfall instead of taking a car!
Summary
Hiking is one of the best experiences you can have while vacating in Morocco.
As long as you plan your hike and prepare all the right hiking essentials, you’ll get to experience Morocco’s “hidden” beauty first hand, from its rolling sand dunes and breathtaking waterfalls to its tallest peaks, unique rock formations, and lots more.
All in all, Morocco offers a host of hikes that cater to both experienced trekkers and first-time hikers.
Many of its hiking locations can be explored via a guided tour, so it’s definitely possible to enjoy hiking in Morocco without prior experience.
