Things to know before you climb Mount Toubkal

At 4,167m high, Mount Toubkal, also known as Jebel Toubkal, is North Africa's highest peak. Set in the High Atlas Mountain range in Morocco, this iconic mountain presents a challenging yet rewarding trek that is perfect for regular walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. With roughly 40% less oxygen than at sea level, the altitude of Mount Toubkal will undoubtedly make this hike harder. But your experienced local guide will ensure that you have plenty of food and set the pace of the walk at a sustainable rate to help you acclimatise, giving you the best chance of the reaching the summit.

Located in Morocco's Atlas Mountain range, Mount Toubkal is often considered a hot trekking destination. However, while temperatures in Marrakech will range between 28°C and 37°C during the trekking season, the valleys of the High Atlas Mountains are typically cooler, especially the further up you walk. The weather is mostly dry, with very little rainfall and clear blue skies, but clouds of mist can roll in over the mountains as you gain altitude. In winter the temperatures can drop to around -5°C at night, while in summer on our Toubkal Long Weekend they stay above 10°C on average.

If you fancy a more challenging Mount Toubkal trekking experience, book our Toubkal Climb tour in May or October when the temperatures are lower, and there's a chance of some early/late snow on the summit.

To make the most of your Mount Toubkal trek, make sure you're well prepared. The weather can change in an instant up in the mountains so pack layers of moisture-wicking clothing that you can easily add or remove depending on the conditions.

Temperatures tend to drop dramatically at night, so a warm fleece, a good-quality down jacket and a wind and waterproof shell jacket are essential. We recommend bringing some breathable walking trousers rather than jeans, and on summit day, you'll also need a warm hat, scarf, waterproof/windproof gloves and a head torch for the pre-sunrise trek.

For your feet, we suggest walking boots with ankle support paired with liner socks under a pair of reasonably thick loop stitch socks. Good-quality sunglasses or ski goggles will protect your eyes from glare at high altitudes and make sure you use a high factor sunscreen.