Trekking Holidays in Morocco and the Berbers

Paul McWilliams    trekkingholidays     morocco, The Berbers, trekking, trekking holidays, Trekking Holidays in Morocco, Trekking in Morocco

Is there a better way to see a country than on foot? Fly into an airport on a city break and you see one side of just one city. You might have a great time but you won’t really experience the country or the culture in the same way as the locals.

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains. Image: Flickr/ ActiveSteve

You only really get to see the things the tourist board wants you to see. But with the better trekking holidays in Morocco, you’ll get to see it all. What’s more, you get out of the city and see how the non-urban population lives.

It’s here where you’ll find the real beauty of a country. And when the country is as extraordinary as Morocco, then it means it’s a very special trip indeed.

Trekking with a guide through Morocco is an experience like no other. And in this country you’ll not find a better guide than one of the Berbers.

With the mighty Atlas mountains as your backdrop, trek the gentle Immouzer area or tackle the more strenuous Mount Toubkal, north Africa’s highest peak. For those who like a challenge, there is also the Tichka Plateau, as well as countless other regions to suit any level of ability.

Take in the stunning scenery, marvel at what it must be like to live in one of the remote mountain villages and experience the thrill of waking up to sunrise in the Atlas mountains. This is trekking as it is supposed to be. You won’t ever want it to end.

Of course, no trip to Morocco is complete without a visit to the regions of the ancient Berber people. Stretching right the way across North Africa, the Berbers are a people that have called this place home for millennia (with some evidence of Berbers even dating back to prehistoric times).

A Berber preparing tea. Image: Flickr/ acquimat4

And their way of life hasn’t changed a great deal in all that time. If you’re looking for a genuine old world experience, then this is it.

There are no mobile phones or internet connections here. Just life, the way it has been lived for thousands of years. And of course, if you are going to have a guide for your trek, then nobody knows the mountains better than the Berbers.

In fact, almost all of the trails and pathways you’ll take while trekking in Morocco were created by the Berbers. Their pioneering trading and merchant classes traversed the region, scarring the landscape with thousands of miles of tracks and paths for us to enjoy today.

It is only the Berbers, and a few select others, that can truly navigate these lands without getting into trouble. And this is knowledge you will need to rely on during your trek.

It is the Berber culture that is responsible for so much of the colour, history and architecture across Morocco. Everywhere you look, the Berber influence is evident. As an unconquered people, their culture has remained strong and almost untouched throughout its history.

They have defended their land against the Romans, the Arabs and the French, amongst others. But no one could ever defeat them. Their heritage and even their language remain intact to this day. All of which explains why trekking through Berber country is such a remarkable experience.

The ancient Kasbah. Image: Flickr/ Jack Zalium

Arrange your trek to coincide with one of the many festivals the Berbers celebrate. Marvel at the ancient customs, some thousands of years old, performed exactly as they have always been.

You can even stay in a modern riad or ancient Kasbah for the authentic Berber night’s sleep. Everywhere across the magical mountains of northern Morocco there is something extraordinary to see.

You might even want to try your hand at learning some of the Berber language. A native tongue that has remained unchanged for centuries.

To truly see Morocco, you need to do it by foot. Following in the footsteps of the fascinating Berber people, this is how you get to know the real Morocco and the people that have lived here since before the idea of a country even existed.

This is a truly remarkable place with even more remarkable people. And a place that has to be seen to be believed. Look around at a landscape that has been inhabited for longer than almost any other on the planet. This is indeed a cradle of civilisation and one of the few places that remain where we can see how our ancestors lived.

About the author

Paul McWilliams wrote 16 articles on this blog.

• Blog

Related posts:

1. Trekking Holidays for First timers
2. Walking and Trekking Holidays you never knew existed
3. Walking Holidays in Morocco: The 10 best routes and regions

If you enjoyed this article please consider sharing it!