Self-Launched High Atlas Double Summit: Oukaimeden & Mount Toubkal in 7 Days

Get an early start from Marrakesh. Grand taxis from Bab er Robb / the Oukaimeden shared-taxi stand take about 1.5–2 hours up to Oukaimeden ski village (~£8–12 per person shared, or £35–45 for the whole car). Leave big luggage at your Marrakesh riad/hostel or with your Imlil guesthouse contact. Walk up the easy ridge to the Oukaimeden summit (3,262m) — allow 2.5–3 hrs return, good acclimatisation for Toubkal. In the afternoon, trek 2.5–3 hrs on mule paths east to Oussertek village. Overnight in a simple Berber guesthouse (shared rooms, blankets provided, hot water not guaranteed). Pick up water and snacks in Oukaimeden before setting off.

🚌Shared grand taxi Marrakesh → Oukaimeden, ~£8–12pp, 1.5–2 hrs

🛏Family-run Berber guesthouse in Oussertek (shared room, ~£12–15pp with dinner)

• →Summit Mount Oukaimeden (3,262m)
• →Trek alpine terrain to Oussertek
• →Afternoon village walk

A relatively gentle 4–5 hour walking day (10–12km) following ancient mule trails down through the Ourika side valleys. You'll pass terraced barley and potato fields, walnut groves, and tiny hamlets where you can stop for mint tea for a few dirhams. Village shops are basic — stock up on bread, cheese, olives and dried fruit for picnic lunches. If you haven't already arranged a guide, ask your guesthouse owner to introduce you to a licensed local guide (expect ~£35–45/day, shared between 2 people) plus a muleteer with donkey (~£20–25/day) for the trekking days.

🚌On foot, ~10–12km, 4–5 hrs

🛏Berber guesthouse in Matat (shared room, ~£12–15pp with dinner)

• →Trek ancient mule paths through valleys
• →Terraced fields and walnut groves
• →Village tea stops and local life

Walk 5–6 hours (12–14km) across into the Azzaden Valley, following riverside trails past waterfalls and canyon walls. Tizi Oussem is a proper working mountain village — cheap guesthouses, a couple of small shops and a hammam. This is a good night to do laundry and repack for the Toubkal section. Ask your guesthouse to confirm the following night's accommodation in Imlil and, importantly, phone the CAF Toubkal refuge to confirm your dorm booking (book ahead online via the Club Alpin Français/French Alpine Club site — dorm beds ~£25–30pp half-board).

🚌On foot, ~12–14km, 5–6 hrs

🛏Guesthouse in Tizi Oussem (shared room, ~£12–15pp with dinner)

• →Azzaden Valley riverside trails
• →Waterfalls and canyon scenery
• →Village hammam and rest afternoon

A shorter but steeper day: 3.5–4.5 hours up to Tizi Mzik Pass (2,489m) for big views of the Toubkal massif, then down into the Imlil Valley. Imlil is the trekking hub — hostels and guesthouses from ~£10pp in dorms, plus gear hire shops (crampons and ice axe ~£8–12/day in winter/spring, essential Nov–Apr). Buy any remaining supplies here, sort out your guide/muleteer paperwork if not done already, and get an early night.

🚌On foot over Tizi Mzik Pass, ~3.5–4.5 hrs

🛏Imlil guesthouse or hostel dorm (~£10–14pp)

• →Tizi Mzik Pass (2,489m)
• →Toubkal massif viewpoints
• →Gear hire and trip prep in Imlil

Walk from Imlil through Aroumd village, then along the valley to the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch, where there are stalls selling tea and snacks. Continue up rocky alpine terrain to the CAF Toubkal Refuge (3,207m) — around 5 hours total. Take it slow, drink plenty, and eat a proper dinner; altitude starts to bite from here. Refuge dormitories are simple and shared, with blankets and basic meals included in your booking.

🚌On foot, ~5 hrs, ~10km with 1,400m ascent

🛏CAF Toubkal Refuge dorm (~£25–30pp half-board)

• →Aroumd village
• →Sidi Chamharouch shrine
• →Alpine trek to the refuge

Alarm at 4–5am. It's 3–4 hours up to the summit of Toubkal (4,167m) — loose scree and, in winter/spring, snow requiring crampons and a guide with local knowledge. The summit ridge views over the Atlas and the Sahara side are the highlight of the trip. Descend to the refuge for a quick break (2–3 hrs), then a further 4–5 hrs down to Imlil. This is a long, tough day; if weather or altitude says no, turn around — locals do the same. Celebrate in Imlil with a tagine and a cold drink.

🚌On foot, ~10–12 hrs total

🛏Imlil guesthouse or hostel dorm (~£10–14pp)

• →Mount Toubkal summit (4,167m)
• →Sunrise on the summit ridge
• →Long descent to Imlil

A relaxed morning walk (1.5–2 hrs) to the Imlil waterfalls and back through the valley. Have a slow traditional lunch in Imlil — a set lunch at a family-run terrace costs ~£6–9. Then take the shared grand taxi or local minibus from Imlil down to Asni and on to Marrakesh (~£5–8pp combined, 1.5–2 hrs). Ask the driver to drop you at your hotel, Jemaa el-Fna, or the airport.

🚌Shared grand taxi/minibus Imlil → Asni → Marrakesh, ~£5–8pp, 1.5–2 hrs

• →Imlil waterfalls walk
• →Traditional lunch in Imlil
• →Valley scenery
• →Road transfer back to Marrakesh