10 Best Hiking Trails in Morocco

Jebel Toubkal, located in southwestern Morocco, is the highest peak in the Arab world at almost 4 km. The Toubkal Circuit is an almost 64-km loop that takes most hikers an average of 4 to 6 days to complete. A vast majority of Toubkal hikers head out on these trails as part of a guided group. 

Billed as one of Africa’s finest multiday treks, Jebel Toubkal provides hikers with varied terrain. Climbs to its passes can be rocky and long, while the valleys offer both lush and barren landscapes. Consider hiking Jebel Toubkal in late spring or early fall. Despite the heat and lack of water, summer is the peak season, and the trail is often crowded. 

Todgha Gorge, also known as Todra Gorge, is canyonland that has been formed by the Todgha River. Hikers will discover massive limestone walls that loom almost 400 meters above the river. Trails offer a wide variety of skill levels, and those along the river offer easy walks along with stunning scenery. The area is also popular with rock climbers and mountain bikers. 

Visitors will find pastoral villages to explore and various hotels in the area offer opportunities for overnight stays. While temperatures can soar in the summer they drop to very cold levels from December to February.

The Valley of the Roses offers hikers a chance to explore ocher rocks and green fields. Roses bloom in April and May, giving the valley a distinct color and offering a unique scent. A moderate trek through the area will take hikers along the L’Oued M’Goun, and at times it is necessary to walk through the shallow waters of the river so be sure to wear waterproof footwear.

About 4,000 tons of rose petals are collected in the area each year. The flowers are picked quickly, which means hikers shouldn’t expect huge swaths of roses. Distilled rose water is used in the production of soaps, lotions, masks, and creams that are exported and sold globally.

The Jebel Sirwa trek goes through an area of barren valleys and mountain peaks. Local villages are scattered throughout the region, and local tour guides offer treks that can stretch over the period of a full week or a single day.

Jebel Sirwa itself is a volcanic peak, and hiking to its summit can require handling some difficult terrain, including steep cliffs and ridge walks. It is snow-capped for most of the year. This area is less popular than others in Morocco, so it allows hikers to find some solitude off the beaten track.

Tallassemtane National Park covers an expansive area of mountainous terrain. Hikers will find gorges, cliffs, caves, and seasonal streams, alongside forests featuring Moroccan fir, black pine, and Atlas cedar. The woodland supports rare wildlife such as golden eagles and Barbary macaques, and altogether there are 40 mammal species and 100 types of birds in the park. How many will you find?

The park’s trails allow hikers a choice of difficult terrain or easier, shorter routes through the forests. There are 4 main destinations for hiking: the villages of El Kalaá and Akchour, a natural bridge called the Bridge of God, and a waterfall that plummets into a famous turquoise pool.

Monkey Trail is located in Ifrane National Park, which covers more than 780 square km in the Middle Atlas mountains. The park has several easy trails for walking, but the Monkey Trail is known for giving hikers a chance to spot troops of Barbary macaques. The endangered primate is found only in small pockets of Morocco and Algeria’s northern mountain ranges. 

The Monkey Trail is considered moderately challenging, and it takes most hikers just over 2 hours to complete the loop. The Monkey Trail is popular with trail runners and mountain bikers because it’s shaded by oak and cedar trees. Note that the trail is dog-friendly and has some off-leash areas.

Paradise Valley is a popular destination, as it is a relatively easy hike containing palm trees, waterfalls, and clear natural pools. The hike from the parking area takes about 30 minutes, and might require traversing some small streams. There are opportunities for swimming and cliff jumping, so hikers might want to bring a change of clothes.

Note that Paradise Valley can be very crowded on weekends and during the summer months. It’s always advisable to bring extra water when hiking, but this area has options along the way for buying food and water.

AmeIn Valley offers many options for day hikes or multiday treks through rocky terrain. A short hike from the town of Tafraoute can lead visitors to prehistoric rock carvings while others will lead to one of the valley’s 26 villages or to the popular Argan area. Argan trees have an olive-like fruit that is used to make skin treatments. Most of the hikes in the valley are relatively easy, but trails in the rocky terrain can be difficult and require scrambling or climbing.

A short hike from Tafraoute can also lead hikers to a unique sight: the Pierres Bleues. They’re the work of Belgian artist Jean Verame, who spray-painted the rounded boulders different colors.