Objective: Jbel Toubkal by Lake Ifni
Trip from Agadir: 4 hours 30 mins / 240 km
Some practical information for climbing Toubkal from the village of Amsouzart- Ifni Lake. From the village of Amsouzart (31.017335, -7.836739), you will set off to conquer the highest peak in North Africa: the Jbel Toubkal which is a climb popular with hikers from all over the world.
The advantage of the proposed route which will take you through Lake Ifni (2300 m), the only lake in the Toubkal massif, is that it gives you the opportunity to swim in a magical setting.
The view of the lake is memorable, surrounded by mountains and scree. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake and prepare your bivouac around the lake.
The next day, the program is much more busy: Lake Ifni – Toubkal base camp. You start from an altitude of 2,295 meters for the most difficult day of the trek. You walk along a steep path that leads to a long slope of scree.
In the afternoon, you arrive at the Tizi n’Ouanoums pass (3,664 meters), from which you will start a long zigzaging descent to the refuges to spend the night.
The two refuges that make up the Toubkal base camp are the Nelter – CAF (3,207 meters) and the Mouflons just below. They function all year round as refuges for hikers and climbers heading to the summit of Toubkal and the surrounding peaks.
The majority of hikers spend a night at base camp in preparation for a climb to the top. The two shelters fill up quickly in summer and in winter, so you must remember to book.
The next day the ascent begins very early – most hikers aim to reach the summit at sunrise. With almost 1000 meters of vertical drop over just 3.5 km, you should usually plan at least two or three hours before dawn if the hike is done in winter conditions or at an average level of fitness.
In summer, the route crosses scree but is not technical.
In winter, on the other hand, the long climb is a challenge before dawn, with no real visual reference to the progression. But at the pass, you will see the lights of Marrakech, that’s it, the highest point of North Africa is within your reach. By reaching the summit marker, you discover the entire High Atlas below, from the Tichka plateau in the west to the Middle Atlas in the east. Most hikers do not linger long at the top of Toubkal before starting the slow descent back down to base camp and then on to the village of Imlil.
There is another possibility of bivouac to organize with your guide (obligatory). By reaching Lake Ifni (2,300 meters) before noon, this gives you time for a swim and a good picnic. Then, you will leave for a more secluded bivouac towards Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,700m), at the end of a long steep gorge.
The next day, you will have the opportunity to leave directly from your bivouac to attack Jbel Toubkal.
