Luxury High Atlas Mountains
Tours made for you
Explore on foot
Follow walking and hiking trails
Dine out
Enjoy traditional cuisine
Beautiful scenery
Hunt for waterfalls
Rugged peaks and green valleys dotted with villages
The Atlas Mountains are a rugged chain that span North Africa from the Atlantic coast through Algeria and Tunisia, an imposing barrier between the fertile Mediterranean coast from the vast Sahara Desert.
The most dramatic section, the High Atlas, can be found in central Morocco, which also includes the tallest peak of Toubkal 4,167 metres (13,671 feet) which towers over the landscape due south of Marrakesh.
Roads follow green valleys dotted with mud-built Berber villages, up through forest and over winding passes then down to wadis and old caravan trading posts on the edge of the Sahara. It is a haven for hikers of all levels from spring through to autumn, whether following well worn trails or donning crampons to conquer jagged peaks. Snow falls from November to April – ski resorts can be found up here – and can last well into the summer on the north face of peaks.
The High Atlas are also the perfect setting simply for cool air and respite after time in the sometimes sweltering northern cities, or as a stopover on the long drives between them and the desert and kasbahs to the south.
Highlights
Spend time relaxing beside waterfalls in the beautiful Ourika National Park
Enjoy a trek through the Wigrane Valley, the Amassine reserve, Ouirgane Valley, Anraz village and Tassoukt
Sample some of the best Moroccan wines paired with local cuisine
Make a stop at the stunning Lalla Takerkoust Lake to take in the incredible scenery
Follow hiking trails through breathtaking landscapes, past rugged peaks sprinkled with quiet mountain villages. Take time to meet the people who live here and learn about their culture and traditions and you'll make memories to last a lifetime.
Rosie Beckford
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in the High Atlas Mountains
Trip Inspiration
Discover more of Morocco
Casablanca
This city is the chief port, the financial, commercial and manufacturing center of the country.
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Essaouira
On Morocco’s Atlantic coast, a little under three hours due west of Marrakesh, Essaouira is a laid-back port town cooled by the vents alizés trade winds gently blowing in from the ocean.
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Fes
The city of Fes, Morocco’s second largest, is considered to be its cultural and religious capital and often referred to as the Mecca of the West.
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Marrakesh
With its rich atmosphere, fascinating history and rich Berber culture, the city of Marrakesh encapsulates what draws people from around the world to Morocco.
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Moroccan Sahara
Morocco’s corner of the desert lies south of the High Atlas Mountains, a smattering of oasis towns becoming less frequent the further you venture, eventually reaching the golden dune seas that evokes the most romantic images of the Sahara.
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Oualidia
200km north of Essaouira, between El Jadida and Safi, is the peaceful town of Oualidia. Overlooking a coastal lagoon frequented by migratory birds, beyond which is the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean, its setting couldn’t be more idyllic.
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Skoura
Skoura is an oasis town that sits south of the Atlas Mountains at the gateway to the Sahara beyond. Once an important trading post where camel trains would offload spices and gold to be hauled over to Fes, its illustrious past can be glimpsed in the sand coloured Kasbahs that still stand here today.
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Tangier
Morocco’s northernmost city, looking out across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain, Tangier is a place with a fascinating history. Known as ‘The Door of Africa’, it has changed hands dozens of times.
Discover moreMeet your Middle East team
When to visit
The High Atlas Mountains can be enjoyed at any time of year. The spring and autumn months are best, with mild weather making it the best time for serious hiking. The summer and winter aren’t as well suited to treks as the summer months can get very warm (though still relative respite from heat of the cities), and, especially at altitude, winter can get very cold with notable snowfall.
Go hiking
March–June
Cultural discovery
March–November
Winter walks
January–February
Morocco Travel Guides
Plan your trip to the High Atlas Mountains
Whatever you want from your adventure in the High Atlas Mountains, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
