The Atlas Mountains start at the Atlantic Ocean’s coastlines in Morocco, cross Algeria, and end on Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast. They have a total length of over 2,500 kilometers.The High Atlas Mountains are located entirely in central Morocco and reach a height of 4,167 meters.
Rainfall is heavier on the gentler slopes of the northern and western margins, resulting in beautiful green valleys that support the Berbers’ traditional way of life. The scenery is the most stunning and diverse here so choose Elite Airlines Flight Booking and visit this place.
The southern edge is drier and more rugged. Red sandstone canyons have been worn through time, forming strange patterns that conceal tiny slivers of green. The abrupt transition from grass to rock, and green to red, as you travel across the Atlas Mountains’ high passes is extremely dramatic.
When to go
The Atlas Mountains are accessible all year. The optimum season to go hiking is between April and October, while some people may find it too hot to comfortably complete long-distance excursions.
In the winter, the temperature drops drastically, and snow might fall on the peaks. This can make trekking conditions dangerous, but the scenery appears to be very beautiful.
Things to do
Trek Mount Toubkal
These treks are always led by experienced high mountain leaders and porters in small groups. Mount Toubkal is a difficult trek, especially in the winter, with a final ascent to the summit of North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 meters. It takes three days to complete depending on the route taken, with the majority of people starting in the village of Imlil, just over an hour from Marrakech and a real portal into another universe. Follow historic mule trails to Toubkal Base Camp (3,207m), where you’ll spend the night before starting the last ascent the next morning. On the way back down, you frequently stop at another mountain gite, such as Arroumd.
You can climb Toubkal in the winter, but you’ll require severe alpinism skills, which you can acquire training for at the start of the journey. However, snow can fall as late as April or as early as October, necessitating the use of crampons and ice picks. Because altitude sickness is a possibility, you may spend a week attempting to reach the summit, taking your time to acclimate and see other peaks and valleys such as the Kissaria gorges.
Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou’s mudbrick ksar (fortified village) has to be one of Morocco’s most photogenic structures. Its bulky adobe fortifications stand amid lush fields and almond orchards, overlooking the barren cliffs of the Ounilla Valley, and appear to have sprouted organically from the ground.
It is UNESCO World Heritage designated as one of the finest mudbrick-constructed buildings in the country, and its beauty has enchanted Hollywood for decades. Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and Gladiator, to name a few, have all had scenes shot here. Climb up into the kasbah towers for the greatest views of the surrounding area.
Azzaden Valley
Many of the valleys that nestle between the mountains here are beautiful, but none is more so than Azzaden, especially in the spring when the fruit trees are blooming. Walnut groves lying in protected hollows and gnarled junipers with a foothold in the most inhospitable rock fissures can be found on a journey through this serene area. Add some Berber settlements and some sunshine, and you’ve got one of the Atlas’ most gorgeous sites.
Ourika Valley
The foothills of the Atlas Mountains are home to the Ourika Valley. Its terraced meadows and flowing waterfalls stand in stark contrast to the dusty Moroccan plains.
The majority travel to Setti Fattma, the final tiny town on the paved road leading up the Ourika Valley. It serves as a starting point for day excursions into the Atlas Mountains, the most popular of which includes a visit to seven waterfalls. You can take a stroll along the river, swim in the (very cold) water, and dine in restaurants perched over the water.
Being somewhat more than an hour’s drive from Marrakech, it serves as a city escape hatch. Locals and visitors alike flee the medina’s sweltering heat for the cooler, more pleasant climate. As a result, it can become extremely crowded. However, if you only have a limited amount of time, it’s a fantastic day excursion.
Balloon flight
Take a classic Balloon flight in Marrakech to experience Atlas mountain range at the fullest. Ciel d’Afrique offers a pleasant hot air balloon ride through the Moroccan skies. Enjoy spectacular views of Marrakesh and the surrounding countryside. If you want, you can take a camel ride after your flight.
Ouzoud Falls
The falls are charmingly ensconced in a tropical paradise that provides a cool calming escape from the fierce Moroccan sun, tumbling a total of 110 meters across three separate drops.
There are numerous interesting treks around the canyon, as well as numerous restaurants where you may stop for a bite to eat while admiring the view. Tourists and locals alike disobey the signs prohibiting swimming in the picturesque pools at the base of the falls. For a very low ticket, you can take a boat ride to acquire a unique vantage point from which to view the falls.
Todra gorge
It’s the most dramatic of Morocco’s red rock canyons, standing about 200 meters tall and only 10 meters wide at its narrowest point. It opens up into the Tinghir Oasis, a huge area of green that breaks up the desert’s monotony. The juxtaposition of red sandstone boulders and flowing green palms is striking.
The town of Tinghir makes this a busier environment, but put on your hiking boots or take a trip down some of the back roads and you’ll soon be alone. A half-day hike that explores the highlights of the Todra Gorge is available. Alternatively, stay at Auberge le Festival and follow their network of well-marked footpaths or hire a guide.
From here, you can travel south and east to the Sahara or north through the Atlas Mountains to Agoudal and Imilchil, where the paved road between Agoudal and Imilchil is a magnificent adventure into a much less visited part of Morocco.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains is becoming increasingly popular, especially in small groups traversing cols and gorges in the High and Anti Atlas Mountains. They avoid the scorching summer months, but the rest of the year is OK, especially since the Anti Atlas doesn’t get much snow. You are planning an adventure trip then call Southwest Airlines Telefono to reach this amazing destination.
Many of the routes in the Atlas Mountains are also tarmacked, making it easier for individuals who don’t wish to do extreme mountain biking. You can even rent a bike in the village and stay in a kasbah in Imlil for a couple of days.
Cycling through the cedar trees of Ifrane National Park in the Middle Atlas or up the infamous Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260m in the High Atlas are highlights of this exploration. The Ait Mansour gorges and luscious oases, as well as ever hospitable Berber settlements and exquisite kasbahs, may all be found in the Anti Atlas.
