Our 2025 Toubkal Circle & Waterfalls Trek Review: 3 Days of Hiking

So you’re thinking about a walking adventure in Morocco, and well, the idea of the High Atlas Mountains has caught your eye. It’s pretty much an amazing place. Honestly, there’s a certain magic to the thought of stepping away from the city’s noise and into the stillness of these old mountains. We are going to talk about a specific three-day walking route, you know, the Toubkal Circle and Waterfalls trek. This walk is actually a fantastic option for 2025. It’s arguably more about the full experience than just getting to the highest point. Basically, it’s a trek that gives you these huge, wide-open views, a real taste of local Berber life, and a challenge that leaves you feeling incredibly good about what you’ve done.

This is really not about speed or bagging a peak. Instead, you get to, like, spend three full days really soaking in the atmosphere of the Atlas range. It’s almost a more thoughtful way to see the area. You’ll walk through different valleys, each one, in a way, with its own character. You will actually eat food cooked on an open fire and sleep in places that feel a world away from a normal hotel. It’s kind of a way to connect with a simpler style of living, and at the end of the day, that feeling is something you carry with you. So, let’s get into what these three days are more or less all about.

So, What Exactly is This Toubkal Circle and Waterfalls Trek?

Alright, so what sets this trek apart from other options around Toubkal? To be honest, most people hear “Toubkal” and they instantly think of the summit, which is obviously a great goal. This walk, on the other hand, is a bit different in its focus. You could say it’s about admiring the mountain rather than conquering it. The route typically makes a wide loop, starting and ending in the village of Imlil, which is sort of the main base for walkers in this part of the mountains. Instead of heading straight up, you actually cut across valleys and over high mountain passes, which, in some respects, gives you a much bigger picture of the whole mountain range.

Frankly, this path shows you the amazing variety of the landscape here. One day you are walking through these green, terraced valleys with walnut and apple trees everywhere, and the next, you are, you know, on a rocky path high above the tree line. The “waterfalls” part of the name, usually, refers to a beautiful series of cascades near Imlil itself, often visited on the final day as a sort of refreshing reward. It’s a very clever way to structure the experience. At the end of the day, you get the tough high-altitude walking and the gentler, prettier valley paths all in one trip. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Toubkal Circle & Waterfalls 3 Days Trek]).

Day 1: From Imlil’s Buzz to a Quiet Mountain Refuge

Your first day, well, it more or less begins in Imlil. This place is pretty much humming with a kind of gentle energy. You’ll see other walkers getting ready, local guides talking with their groups, and mules patiently waiting to carry supplies. As you set off, that noise, you know, it just fades away very quickly. You’re soon on a mule path that winds up and out of the main valley. The air, you will find, starts to smell a little bit different, sort of like juniper and dry earth. It’s actually a really great feeling.

The path goes up at a steady rate, just a little steep in places but mostly very manageable. You’ll pass through these tiny Berber villages that are literally clinging to the mountainsides. Kids might run out to say hello, which is always, like, a heartwarming moment. Your guide will probably find a perfect spot for lunch, often under a big old tree with a view that seems to go on forever. Then your muleteer will, like, magically produce a tagine and some fresh mint tea. Seriously, that first trail-side meal is something special. Your destination for the night is usually a mountain refuge, like the one at Azib Tamsoult. It’s a simple, rustic stone building, and basically, its job is to keep you warm and safe for the night. You’ll definitely share stories with other hikers over dinner as the stars come out in the very clear sky.

Day 2: Crossing a High Pass into a New World

Okay, day two is typically the one that really tests you. The morning air at altitude is incredibly crisp and clean, and you feel it the moment you step outside. Today is the day you go up and over a high pass, for example, the Aguelzim Pass, which is over 3,500 meters up. The climb is pretty demanding, and you just have to find your own steady pace. It’s really just you and the sound of your own breathing and the crunch of your boots on the trail. Your guide is there, of course, making sure everyone is doing okay.

As a matter of fact, the moment you reach the top of that pass is a feeling you won’t forget. You turn around and see the valley you just spent a day walking up, and it looks totally different from up here. Then you look forward, and a completely new valley, a whole new world, seemingly opens up in front of you.

The way down, honestly, can be almost as hard as the way up, but in a different way. It’s a real workout for your knees. But as you drop back down, the landscape changes again. You might see shepherds with their flocks of goats, a sign that you are heading back towards inhabited areas. Your home for the second night is often a local guesthouse, or a gîte, in a Berber village. This is a very different experience from the refuge. It’s more personal, and you get a little look into family life in the mountains. Dinner is usually a home-cooked meal, which is just what you need after a long day of walking.

Day 3: Walnut Groves, Waterfalls, and the Walk Home

Your final day is, frankly, a much gentler affair. Waking up in the village guesthouse, you can kind of hear the day starting around you. Breakfast might be freshly baked bread and local honey. The walk today is mostly downhill or along the flat floor of the valley. The path, you know, takes you through these lovely groves of walnut trees, some of which are hundreds of years old. Depending on the season, you might also see apple and cherry trees, their branches full of fruit.

The highlight of the day is often the visit to the waterfalls just before you get back to Imlil. After two days on dusty, high-altitude trails, the sight and sound of all that water are just incredibly welcome. You can sit for a while, feel the cool spray, and maybe even buy a freshly squeezed orange juice from one of the little cafes there. It’s the perfect spot to just sort of sit and think about the last few days. The final stretch of the walk back into Imlil feels, in a way, like coming full circle. You are tired, your legs ache a little, but you are also filled with this really wonderful sense of having done something properly good. Read our full review: [Trekking in Morocco Toubkal Circle and Waterfalls 3 Days 2 Nights Full Review and Details].

A Few Practical Tips for Your Trek

Alright, just a little advice to help you get ready. Being prepared is sort of half the battle and will make your walk so much better. Honestly, thinking about these things beforehand makes a huge difference.

What You Really Need in Your Pack

Packing light but smart is the goal. Your main bag will go on a mule, so you’ll just carry a daypack. Here’s what you actually need:

• Layers of clothing: The weather can change very fast. So, a t-shirt, a fleece, and a waterproof jacket are pretty much required.
• Proper hiking boots: Just make sure they are well broken-in. Your feet will thank you, you know.
• Sun protection: A sun hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sun cream are absolutely key. The sun at altitude is very strong.
• A reusable water bottle or bladder: Your guide can arrange for safe drinking water, but having your own container is very useful. A filter or tablets are a good idea too.
• Some personal items: Think about things like hand sanitizer, any personal medication, and maybe a small first-aid kit.

About the Fitness Level

To be honest, you don’t have to be some kind of elite athlete for this walk. But, you should have a decent base level of fitness. If you can comfortably walk for 5-6 hours with a daypack on, you will likely be fine. The biggest challenge is really the altitude, which can affect anyone. The secret is to go slowly, drink lots of water, and listen to your body. Seriously, this is not a race.