Last updated: April 2026

The Atlas Mountains stretch across North Africa, forming a natural barrier between the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean. The range tops out in the High Atlas at Mount Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in Morocco and North Africa. Characterised by an arid landscape, the Atlas Mountains stand in stark contrast to their European counterpart, the Alps. In summer, the peaks are dry and scree-clad, while winter brings snow and ice that transform the mountains. Yes, it does snow in Africa.

Climbing Toubkal is one of the most accessible ways to reach 4,000m, and its popularity has grown in recent years, helped by relatively low guide fees and social media coverage. The trek starts from Imlil, at the base of the Toubkal National Park, which is home to the majority of Morocco’s 4,000m peaks. Despite being one of the main tourist hubs in the Atlas Mountains, Imlil is a far cry from Alpine resort towns - there are no cable cars or luxury hotels, just a handful of food shops and some outdoor stores renting out battered mountaineering kit. This rural setting is part of the appeal; you climb the whole mountain with minimal creature comforts.