Toubkal National Park

National Park High Atlas national park home to Mount Toubkal

Home to Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, Toubkal National Park near Marrakech offers multi-day treks through Berber villages from Imlil. Mountain guides, mountain huts and clear summit routes make it Morocco’s principal high-altitude hiking area.

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Toubkal National Park protects the high peaks and valleys of the central High Atlas in Morocco and contains the massif around Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. The area is a major destination for trekking and mountain tourism in the Atlas.

Key attractions include the ascent of Jebel Toubkal to 4,167 metres, multi-day treks through glacial valleys and traditional Berber villages, and high mountain huts and refuges used by climbers and trekkers. Routes from valley trailheads gain several thousand metres in elevation over distances of 6-20 km depending on itinerary.

Local Berber communities have used the area for pasture and settlement for centuries, and trekking infrastructure-trails, gites, mule support and mountain guides-developed during the 20th century alongside growing recreational mountaineering. The park is managed to balance tourism, local livelihoods and natural conservation.

Geographically the park lies in the High Atlas south of Marrakesh in Marrakesh-Safi region, with principal access from the city by road; trailheads such as Imlil are the common starting points for ascents and treks.

  • Seasonal access: Best trekking season is late spring to early autumn when snow is reduced on high routes; winter climbs require alpine equipment and experience.
  • Closest city: The park lies approximately 60-70 km south of Marrakesh and is commonly accessed from that city by road to valley trailheads.

What to See #

  • Jebel Toubkal (Toubkal summit): The summit of Jebel Toubkal reaches 4,167 metres and is the highest point in Morocco and the wider North African region; it is the main objective for trekkers in the park.
  • Imlil valley and base villages: The Imlil valley serves as the principal base and trailhead for treks into the massif, with villages and guided services at elevations around 1,700-1,900 metres.
Toubkal National Park
Toubkal area, High Atlas Mountains; common gateway village: Imlil, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
31.0833, -7.8333
No national park entrance fee; guide/porter costs for Toubkal summit

How to Get to Toubkal National Park #

The usual starting point is Imlil, about 90 minutes by road from Marrakech (45-70 km depending on route). Regular buses and private transfers run from Marrakech; from Imlil the trek begins on marked mule tracks and typically requires a guide for summit attempts.

Tips for Visiting Toubkal National Park #

  • Start treks from Imlil and hire a Berber guide - they know mule tracks, weather quirks and mountain hospitality.
  • Acclimatize gradually; nights are cold even in summer and altitude can affect walkers quickly.
  • Spring and autumn are the best windows for a summit attempt-winter requires technical mountaineering gear.

Best Time to Visit Toubkal National Park #

Best visited in spring or autumn for hiking and summit attempts; winter routes require snow and mountaineering skills.

Spring
Mar-May · 5-20°C
Wildflowers and comfortable daytime temperatures for trekking; good summit windows.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 5-18°C
Clear skies and cooler nights, often the best period for summit attempts.

Weather & Climate near Toubkal National Park #

Climate

Toubkal National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (660 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 57 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-10° -1°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-9°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -7°C. The wettest month with 88 mm of rain.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

67 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 11°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
17°
38%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
26%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
30%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
16°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

65 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1° 10°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-8°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.0h daylight

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