National park · Morocco
Toubkal National ParkParc National de Toubkal
Enter Toubkal NP for a day hike to Toubkal summit (6 h round‑trip) if you start before 9 am in spring‑autumn, or plan a 2‑day guided trek in summer; avoid peak July‑August crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
approximate
Established
1942
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Morocco ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Moroccan consulate or official government sources before booking; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Morocco ↗The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency: you normally obtain it on arrival (ATMs, exchange desks) and change leftovers back before departure, keeping exchange receipts.
- Morocco ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation: drones are routinely confiscated at customs.
- Morocco ↗During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in the street in daylight; tourist restaurants and hotels still serve.
- High Atlas ↗A local guide is required for Toubkal summit attempts and is strongly advised on any trail above the villages.
- High Atlas ↗Bring cash: ATMs are rare above Marrakech and card payment is uncommon in village guesthouses.
- High Atlas ↗Toubkal refuge sits near 3,200 m; sleep a night there before the summit to reduce altitude problems.
At a glance
- Country
- Morocco
- Area
- 380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1942
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Imlil
Toubkal National Park protects the High Atlas’s rugged peaks, alpine plateaus and traditional Amazigh villages, offering the continent’s highest summit outside East Africa and diverse wildlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1942.
Size and age
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²) · national park since 1942
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Imlil.
Why go
- Climb North Africa's highest peak, Jbel Toubkal (4,167 m).
- Explore high‑altitude plateaus, juniper woods and traditional Amazigh villages.
- Wildlife spotting: Barbary sheep, wild boar and raptors.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold, snow on summit; good for winter trekking (check).
- FebSimilar to Jan.
- MarSnow melting, moderate temps.
- AprClear days, comfortable valley temps.
- MayWarm valleys, occasional snow patches.
- JunHeat in valleys, possible thunderstorms.
- JulHot, occasional storms; crowds.
- AugSame as July.
- SepCooler, less crowd.
- OctIdeal weather for summit.
- NovCold, early snow.
- DecWinter conditions.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbary sheepJun–Sep · Often seen on higher slopes. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Raptors (eagles, buzzards)Mar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild boarApr–Aug · Tracks common in valleys. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Imlil gateway | Village, parking, guide office, trailhead to Toubkal. | Open year‑round. |
| Toubkal refuge area | Mountain huts (CAF, Toubkal) for overnight stays. | Guided or self‑service with reservation. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site and Wikidata; positions are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | MAD 30 | person | Ticket at Imlil entrance office (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for Azib Tamsoult and overnight trips; not mandatory for standard summit.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated refuges; wild camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use stove.
- Drones
- Prohibited without park permission (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
Imlil guesthouses
Simple rooms, often family‑run, 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) from trailhead.Simple rooms, often family‑run, 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) from trailhead.
In the park
CAF refuge
Mountain hut with dormitory beds, meals, basic facilities.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Rapid weather change high
Falls on scree medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead at Imlil reachable by car; short walks are suitable for moderate mobility.
- Summit route involves steep, uneven sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local guides and guesthouses to benefit Amazigh communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Toubkal National Park?
Entry is 30 MAD per person; tickets are sold at Imlil or the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Toubkal National Park?
Standard summit via Imlil (moderate) and the Azib Tamsoult loop (hard) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Toubkal National Park?
April to October offers the most reliable weather; March and November are also doable with colder conditions.
Do I need a guide for the summit?
No, the standard route is well marked; a guide is recommended for longer loops or overnight trips.
Where can I stay near the trail?
Guesthouses in Imlil and the CAF mountain refuge provide basic accommodation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Toubkal National Park
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