It is not an impossible task to climb Mount Toubkal i.e. the highest peak of the Atlas mountain range in a day, but it is definitely a challenging one.
Mount Toubkal is normally considered a two-day trek, but it is possible to complete the trek in a day as well. It is a maximum of 10 hours hike, six hours to climb up, and four hours to descend.
Introduction
Located at an altitude of 4,167 m, Mt Toubkal is the highest point in North Africa. Situated in the southwestern part of Morocco, about 60 km south of Marrakesh, it is a part of the Atlas mountain range. Being a non-technical summit, it is an all year around the trek. But the most favorable time for the trek is considered to be from the end of March till June & from September till the beginning of November. The mesmerizing vistas of the Atlas mountain range from the peak make the summit more enduring and memorable.
A day-long Journey
The trek starts from Imlil, a small mountain village located in the heart of Morocco’s high atlas range. For a day hike to the peak, one should normally proceed from Imlil before sunrise. Walking through the dense walnut forests in Imlil, the climb to the Toubkal refuge is relatively easy. The 13 km trip to the Toubkal refuge, which is at an elevation of 1390 m, is completed just in time for sunrise. A single-day trek makes it impossible to enjoy the culture and historic monuments along the way including Sidi Chamharouch, a famous pilgrimage site in Morocco.
Trekkers normally spend a night at Toubkal Refuge and begin the journey the next day. However, for a day hike, one cannot linger at the refuge for too long. After a quick stop at the refuge for food and water, and other supplies, the challenging part of the trek begins. The distance from the refuge to the peak is 5 km. You begin the journey through rocky paths brought down by landslides, then climb through the boulders. The most difficult and challenging part is from refuge to Toubkal Pass(3970), which is a long climb. From there, it is a rather easy 470 m ascent to the peak.
One may enjoy the mesmerizing views of the Atlas mountain range from the peak to noon. However, after a brief stay at the summit, the trip back to Imlil starts. It takes up to 4 hours to descend from Toubkal, which is usually challenging.
Challenges and Suggestion
Since it is a non-technical summit, it is less difficult. However, there are certain difficulties in completing this two-day trek in a single day.
Mount Toubkal.is located at a high altitude, and climbing such altitude in a single day is a major challenge due to altitude sickness. As this trek requires your body at high altitudes, it’s important to give your body time to acclimate. So a certain period of rest along the way is suggested, which is hardly possible for a single-day trek.
Also, it is crucial to be physically fit and confident to climb 10 hours uphill with a minimum amount of rest along the way. This trek is a lot of hard work, so some preparation is suggested beforehand.
Get Insights On:
- Toubkal National Park
- How Much Does It Cost To Climb Toubkal?
- What Mountain Range’s Highest Peak Is Mount Toubkal?
Conclusion
To summit Mount Toubkal in a single day, one must travel 37 km, climb 2,390 m, descend the same distance, and endure a maximum altitude of 4,167 m. It is a long and challenging trip, so quitting is okay if you are uncertain at any stage of the trek.
