High Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas Mountains form the backbone of Morocco — a 2,500km chain rising to 4,167m at Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. The range separates the Sahara and the pre-Saharan south from the Atlantic plains of Marrakech and the north. The Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m) is the main crossing route used on all southern Morocco tours. The Imlil valley, just 90 minutes from Marrakech, is the base for Toubkal treks and Berber village walks. The Ourika Valley offers day hikes and waterfall visits. The Aït Bougmez valley — known as the Happy Valley — is one of Morocco’s most beautiful and least visited mountain regions. Snow falls in the High Atlas from December to March, making Tizi n’Tichka occasionally impassable.