Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in Morocco and the whole north-African region. It is referred to as an ultra-prominent peak as it is over 1500 m.
Mt Toubkal is at an altitude of 4,167 m above sea level. It is a part of the Atlas mountain range and is located in southwest Morocco, roughly 60 km south of Marrakesh. It is also the highest mountain in the Atlas mountain range. From the top of the peak, you can see from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert.
Measurement
Toubkal height was measured in the year 1923 to be 4,165 m which is equivalent to 13,665 ft. That same year Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau climbed the summit for the first time.
At present, Mount Toubkal is measured to be 4,167 m, equivalent to 13,671 ft, making it the highest peak in North Africa.
Is It Difficult To Climb Mt Toubkal?
Being the highest peak in the Atlas mountain range, people often think it is difficult to climb Mt Toubkal. But it is one of the convenient treks that doesn’t require any expertise.
Trek to Mt Toubkal is normally two days, but it can also be completed in a day. It is a 10-hour trek from Imlil, a small mountain village located in the heart of Morocco’s high atlas range. Likewise, it is crucial to be physically fit and confident to climb 10 hours uphill with a minimum amount of rest along the way. Although, it is not an impossible task to climb the highest peak of the Atlas mountain range in a day, it is definitely a difficult one. Also, altitude sickness is a major challenge faced by trekkers on this trek.
It is slightly more difficult to climb Mt Toubkal during the winter seasons, because of very strong winds, thick snow, and a great deal of ice along the trails.
Trek Along The Way
The trek starts from Imlil, a small mountain village at 1740 meters, and is quite easily reached from Marrakech. Walking through the dense walnut forests in Imlil, the climb to the Toubkal refuge is relatively easy. Toubkal Refuge is located at an altitude of 1390 m. The distance from the refuge to the peak is 5 km. You ascend through the boulders after starting your trek on rocky paths that landslides had destroyed. The long ascent from the refuge to Toubkal Pass (3970) is the part that is the hardest and most challenging. From there it is a 470 m elevation to the peak which is not so challenging physically.
Conclusion
To climb the highest peak in the Atlas is quite challenging and equally exciting. You get to experience the culture and architecture of the Berber community along the way. The most favorable time for the trek is from the end of March to June & from September to the beginning of November. The mesmerizing vistas of the Atlas mountain range from the peak make the summit more enduring and memorable.
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