This is one of the popular national parks in Morocco located near the High Atlas Mountains in Marrakech. From the picturesque valleys of Mount Toubkal to the surrounding villages, there is a lot to explore in Toubkal.
The park was gazetted in 1942 to celebrate the rare bio-diversity from the majorly desert country. It covers an estimated 100, 000hac of which 38,000ha is a protected area majorly used in the ecology studies in Morocco under the Plan of development and Management
Mount Toubkal
is the major tourist point in this morocco park. Trekking and hiking are rather adventurous and exciting on this mountain. The hiking trails begin in the village of Imlil where you explore the real traditional Moroccan lifestyles such as the colored houses, markets and the local people. Mt. Toubkal Peak is the highest point in North Africa standing at 4,167m above sea level
Getting there
The park is located 75km from het heart of Marrakech which is found on the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains. The park stretches through the provinces of Al Haouz and Taroudant, to the valleys of Wadi Ourika in the east and N’fis to the west
There is road that is used to travel through the park winding up the mountain rock. It quite step and sometimes dangerous though.
When to Visit
The park is best visited in the summer and spring month when the park’s plants and flowers blossom to make a delightful hiking experience. It is dangerous to hike the mountain in the winter since the road is impassable and the weather is extremely cold
Accommodation
The hiking experience normally lasts 7 days to reach the summit on Toubkal. There are campsites in the park. A tented camp is found near Azaden Valley for overnight on the first hiking day, another at Tzigi with bed, lunch and dinner and Toubkal base camp has a mountain hut offering budget accommodation with bed, lunch and dinner.
At the summit
Jbel Toubkal
are a few lodges and hotels like Maison D’hotels Imi n’Ouassif for budget Accommodation. There is plenty of Marrakech accommodation for tourist intending to travel to Toubkal National Park in riads, lodges, guesthouses and Marrakech hotels.
