Morocco - Imlil
Welcome to Imlil of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, here is a village where you can
park up for a few days and discover the area by foot, mule back or just spend lazy days on a terrace drinking tea.
If you are coming from Marrakech :
This village can be reached by turning left off the S501 just out side Asni and following the piste
to the end. The distance from Marrakech is 64 km. The local lorry is the most original way to arrive but taxi and mini bus can also be used, but watch the
price of the private taxi from Marrakech.
Travel to Imlil
An 8.5 ton lorry has been converted
to carry people from Asni to Imlil. You
will stand in the back section open to the elements as the lorry
climbs the hill holding onto the metal bar.
The views will stop
you thinking about the drop off on the left-hand side as you
pass the new hotel, hard working mules and numerous villages,
before arriving at your destination; the car park of Imlil.
When the lorry carrying potential customers arrives in the village
you have a top seat to watch the action as the sellers of silver
jewellery move into action.
Day to day
Morning activity starts early in this Berber mountain village,
with the sun arriving over the sharp mountain peaks of Toubkal . The distant smoke trails rise up in the valley, as the freshly
baked bread from the house hold ovens
arouses the family communities too gather around their breakfast
tables.
The men of the family, many who work as mountain guides in the
National Park will gather their energy before setting out into
their back garden, where for generations they have
been guiding, people and products through some of the most hostile
mountain passes found in Northern Africa.
Trekking Toubkal
The
Mountain Toubkal is the dominating factor of this High Atlas village, with the
guides and their customers filtering through the alleyways and
stream beds on their way to the summit at 4167m. (Many of the
Berber
Mountain Guides have been trained in France).
The Guardian of the parking says that trekking in the High Atlas
is not to be passed up. The experience will reward visitors
with some of the most spectacular scenery and views in Northern Africa.
The
Guide office for Imlil is situated in the village car park.
This office is designed to help the local guides find work with the customers coming into the village,
be ready to sort out your own food and mule for your trek.
Easy, just ask and they will point you in the right direction too
find all of the necessary objects for your trek or contact
Adrar Aventures at the
Hotel Toubkal.
Mountain bike and Motorbike
The trails and piste's in this
area are well worth a visit if you are looking for freedom.
A
mountain bike or light trials
motorbike is ideal for this type of arid mountain enviroment.
The mule tracks of the High Atlas will open up new areas in
Morocco to
your eyes. This delicate environment must be protected while
sport must be able to grow naturally, so go easy.
