Mount Toubkal or Jebel Toubkal (Jebel is a term primarily used in North Africa and the Middle East to refer to mountains and mountain ranges) lays at the heart of a network of trekking trails that offer striking high altitude mountain scenery, lush valleys and Berber communities relatively untouched by progress.
Although much of the High Atlas consists of sedimentary rocks, the Toubkal massif is an area of volcanic rocks which have weathered into alpine crests, cut by deep, narrow valleys. To the south, the mountain drops steeply to a small lake called Lac d'Ifni. To the west, the mountain's edge is marked by a pass, the Tizi n'Ouanoums (3,664m). From this pass, the mountain's W-S-W ridge rises up to Toubkal West, which forms a shoulder at 4,020m before continuing to the summit. The north and western side of Toubkal drains down to the Mizane Valley, which has the passes of both Tizi n'Ouanoums and Tizi n'Ouagane at its head. Two hanging valleys on the western side of the mountain - the Ikhibi Nord and Ikhibi South provide ready access for trekkers and climbers to reach Toubkal's summit (previously the northern valley provided the normal route of ascent, but the construction of a mountain hut by the French Alpine Club below Ikhibi Sud now encourages trekkers to ascend using the southern route).
So, where is it? How high is it? How do you get there? Here are a few Mount Toubkal facts for you;
Where is Mount Toubkal?
Mount Toubkal is located in the Toubkal National Park which itself is nestled within the towering and majestic Atlas Mountains, about 60km south of the popular city of Marrakesh in southwestern Morocco.
When was Mount Toubkal first climbed?
The first recorded European ascent of Toubkal was on 12th June 1923 by the Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger and Hubert Dolbeau, but the mountain may well have been climbed before that date, most probably by Berber tribesmen on hunting trips long before recorded ascents began.
How high is Mount Toubkal?
The peak of Toubkal is the highest summit in Morocco, the Arab World and North Africa. It stands at 4,167m high and can be seen from Marrakesh, over 60km away
Can you trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal?
At 4,167 metres Mount Toubkal is an achievable trekking peak for most people if you go with the Mount Toubkal summer ascent, which tends to have more favourable weather conditions from April to early June and again from September to early November (avoiding the searing temperatures from mid-June to end of August).
For those that prefer a Mount Toubkal winter ascent with quiet trails and spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains then better to ascend from December through to April.
Click on the image to explore Mount Toubkal on Google Earth