Mgoun Trek

After an early transfer from Marrakech we meet our guide and mules in Tabant (1850m) before setting off for the easy 3 to 4 hour walk to our campsite near the summer pastures of Azib n’Ikkis (2250m). On the way we pass through the typical Berber villages of Ait Said and Arouss.

This is a short day’s walking – about 4 to 5 hours – but quite demanding, involving the ascent of the Oumskig Pass (2909m) and the very steep Aghouwri Pass (3400m) which provide magnificent views across the surrounding area. We then follow a steep, zigzag path down to the Tarkeddid refuge (2900m) where we spend the night.

We leave early for the 4 to 5 hour climb to the summit. The ascent is not technically difficult, but at times it is steep and there are some places where the ridge is very narrow. The magnificent views from the summit make the effort worth while, however. To return we retrace our steps – a descent of about 3 hours.

This is a varied day’s walk, around the edge of the Arouss Gorge, down and along streams and rivers and an ascent to the Oumsoud Pass (2969m). Our picnic lunch is in a delightful meadow with a spring in the Oulilimt valley. After lunch we continue to follow the river until after about 3 hours we reach the Ain Aflafal refuge.

Today’s walk is about 5 or 6 hours to return over the Ait Imi Pass (2905m) to Tabant. At first the walking is easy through summer pastures, but as we approach the Ait Imi Pass we start to climb, with a steep ascent at the end. From here we can see down into the M’Goun valley and on a clear day the village of Tabant, our destination. The descebnt from Ait Imi Pass is steep and over loose scree , but after about 90 minutes we arrive in the village of Ait Imi which is only about 30 minutes from Tabant. Here we spend the night.

Transfer to Marrakech.