| The country of Morocco is a great place to consider | | | | hundreds of years. |
| an day or multi-day trekking excursion. The High Atlas | | | | The Middle Atlas Mountains proffer an abundance of |
| offer something for everyone: great walks in the | | | | walks that are relatively flat in comparison to any other |
| summer, back country hiking and skiing in the winter, | | | | in Morocco. The little visited Ifrane National Park is |
| and peaks that surpass 4,000 meters (14,000 ft). Most | | | | home to Barbary Macaques (a type of monkey with a |
| travelers think of Morocco as a "desert" country. While | | | | stub for a tail) who make the oak, pine, and large |
| it does have its share of rocky and sandy desert | | | | cedar forests its home. Multi-day excursions can be |
| regions, Morocco has an astounding three mountain | | | | had from Azrou and the the Ain Leuh cedar forest. |
| ranges cutting through its majestic interior. Those are | | | | Being the most popular spot, the High Atlas Mountains |
| the Rif Mountains, the Middle Atlas Mountains, and the | | | | offer various other outings that do not include the |
| High Atlas. The most popular starting points to get out | | | | tallest peak. Various other trekking opportunities allow |
| into these areas are Chefchaouen, Fez (followed by a | | | | travelers to visit other peaks, valleys, lakes, forests, |
| trip to Ifrane or Azrou), or Marrakesh (followed by a | | | | and far-flung Berber villages where time has really |
| trip to Imlil), respectively. | | | | stood still. The real starting point for such ventures is |
| The most popular place to hike in Morocco is in the | | | | Asni, or farther along in the towns of Imlil (a |
| High Atlas Mountains. Jbel Toubkal (or Mount Toubkal) | | | | drive-through town) or Armed (an actual Berber |
| draws Europeans and North Americans alike who | | | | village). Hiring a mountain guide for multi-day treks is the |
| want to attempt North Africa's highest peak. For those | | | | smart option; they'll help you arrange mules, food, and |
| looking to get off the beaten path, yet still experience a | | | | will bring along any additional gear that you might not |
| massive peak should head for the Mgoun National | | | | have brought along. |
| Park, where multi-day treks are needed just to get to | | | | Warnings: |
| the base of Jbel Mgoun. | | | | As for any warnings, the altitude (while not a problem |
| The Mgoun Valley (or Ait Bougmez Valley) is dotted | | | | for many) can cause light headaches. This is not |
| with Berber villages highlighting the sheer opulence of | | | | altitude sickness, but you should monitor yourself. If you |
| the High Atlas Mountains as its backdrop. Hikers visiting | | | | start feeling ill, vomit, or feel woozy or weak, then rest |
| the M'Goun will find a canyon and landscape that | | | | awhile and move to a lower altitude. Usually 300 |
| some have compared to the southwest part of | | | | meters can make a big difference. Drink plenty of |
| America. As well, you will have a chance to | | | | water and avoid long exposure to the sun, which may |
| experience the traditional dress and cultures of a | | | | not seem strong, but is much more likely to cause |
| people who are still living the same way they have for | | | | burns due to the thinner atmosphere. |