Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    Imlil & Toubkal
    Mounir Neddi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Morocco

    Imlil & Toubkal

    Point of Interest

    Imlil is located at around 1,800 metres in the High Atlas, approximately 65 kilometres south of Marrakech, and serves as the starting point for climbing Toubkal.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Morocco
    7. Marrakech & The High Atlas
    9. Imlil & Toubkal
    Imlil is located at around 1,800 metres in the High Atlas, approximately 65 kilometres south of Marrakech, and serves as the starting point for climbing Toubkal. At 4,167 metres, it is the highest mountain in North Africa and the centrepiece of the Toubkal National Park, founded in 1942. Around the village, hiking trails lead to Berber villages and to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine, which non-Muslims are not permitted to enter.

    Sights in Imlil & Toubkal

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Refuge du Toubkal
    Park

    1Refuge du Toubkal

    The mountain hut of the French Alpine Club is located at around 3,200 meters and is the usual overnight accommodation for the two-day ascent of Toubkal. A licensed mountain guide is mandatory for the climb.
    Open in Google Maps
    Jbel Toubkal

    2Jbel Toubkal

    At 4,167 meters, North Africa's highest mountain, first climbed in 1923. The normal route leads from the Refuge via the Tizi n'Toubkal pass to the summit; in winter and spring, crampons are often necessary. A licensed mountain guide is required for the ascent.
    Open in Google Maps
    Kasbah du Toubkal

    3Kasbah du Toubkal

    The restored Kasbah above Imlil, once the summer residence of a local feudal lord, is now a guesthouse. The last stretch is on foot, non-guests can come daily for lunch.
    Open in Google Maps
    Aroumd

    4Aroumd

    The highest village in Aït-Mizane Valley is at approx. 1900m in Toubkal National Park, a 40-min walk above Imlil. It's calmer and more traditional than Imlil.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Imlil & Toubkal

    Food and Drink

    Walnuts, Apples and Cherries

    Before mountain tourism arrived, the area around Imlil was known for walnuts, apples, and cherries.

    Tajine with lamb or goat

    Most eateries serve Tajine with lamb or goat and vegetables from the surrounding area.

    Amlou

    Almond, argan oil and honey spread to enjoy with homemade bread.

    Culture & History

    Atlas Mountain VillageImlil grew primarily with mountain tourism around Toubkal. The Kasbah du Toubkal above the village, once the summer residence of a local feudal lord, has been a hotel since 1995. Martin Scorsese filmed scenes for Kundun here. The 2023 earthquake caused relatively little damage to Imlil, and mountain operations quickly resumed.ToubkalThe summit was first climbed in 1923. A two-day tour with an overnight stay in a hut at approx. 3,200m is common. A licensed mountain guide is mandatory for the ascent.

    Exploring locally

    Getting ThereFrom Marrakech, it's about 1.5 hours via Asni. There, switch to a shared taxi to Imlil; alternatively, travel by rental car or private transfer.The best hiking season is April to June and September to October. In winter, Toubkal is snow-covered.

    Accommodations in Imlil & Toubkal

    Find perfect stay in Imlil & Toubkal

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Nearby

    Ourika Valley

    Ourika Valley

    The Ourika Valley stretches south of Marrakech into the High Atlas, alongside its namesake river. At the end of the road lies the village of Setti Fatma, above which seven waterfalls cascade over the rocks.
    Marrakech

    Marrakech

    Marrakech, nestled at the foot of the High Atlas, will be Morocco’s top destination in 2025, expecting over ten million passengers. Founded by the Almoravids around 1070, its approximately nine-kilometre-long red clay walls still enclose the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. Its heart is Jemaa el-Fna Square, surrounded by souks, palaces, and gardens.
    Marrakech & The High Atlas

    Marrakech & The High Atlas

    Marrakesh is often the gateway to Morocco: The Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. South of the city, the High Atlas rises to 4,167m at Toubkal, with valleys like Ourika Valley and mountain villages like Imlil.
    Aït-Ben-Haddou

    Aït-Ben-Haddou

    The Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou is a fortified mud-brick settlement in the Ounila Valley on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. The backdrop of mud-brick kasbahs on the hillside above the river served for films like Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.
    South: Kasbahs & Desert

    South: Kasbahs & Desert

    South of the High Atlas begins the land of mud-brick kasbahs and oases: the Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou, the film city Ouarzazate, the gorges of Dadès and Todra and at the end the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI