After meeting my family In marrakech (and the van breaking down – see Breaking down in Morocco) we spent the new year in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
We drove to the mountain village of Imlil which is a starting point for many hiking routes, including the route to Toubkal – the highest mountain in North Africa at 4167m.
This was a really good way to spend new years day. So here are 18 photos (one is a map) of new years day walking in the mountains with my family:
We all got in the van and drove to the mountains
Through a valley to the village of Imlil – 60km south of Marrakech
We parked up and walked took a 15 minute walk up the Riad
We all stayed in a Riad for the new year. There are no roads to this place (Dar Adrar) so we left the van in the village and walked the winding footpath up the valley
Donkeys carry pretty much everything round here
There are many Berber villages round here, built up the sides of the valley’s hills
We walked up through the stone paved streets
And took this route through this mountain pass
We’re nowhere near the top
This is maybe about half way up
A normal walk for the locals…. and donkeys
There’s a guy selling drinks in a hut
but he only had hot tea left
To got to the peak of Tasserimoute
This is looking north towards Marrakech
Happy new year!
Time to go back down… after some rock balancing
And some self balancing
Alright that’s enough
We should get back before sun set
If you’re in Morocco and want to do some hiking (from casual to serious) then Imlil is a good place to start and it’s easily accessed from Marrakech. Just head for there and you can get all the other information in the village.
Also see my other post on how to get from Spain to Morocco by van
chris walden 