Marrakech Adventure Travel Guide

Introducing Marrakech (Continued...)

s. A hiker’s dream, these high mountains seem custom made for off-road adventures. You’ll encounter endless trails between Berber villages as you pass through scenic countryside. Treks begin in small hamlets like the 1950m high community, Imlil, where you'll need to quickly acclimatize to the altitude. There's plenty of opportunity to admire the rugged Atlas peaks as you climb, and mingle with the traditional Berber people.

There’s also North Africa’s highest peak (Jebel Toubkal) to conquer at 4165m. This challenge is for the seriously adventurous, as you must traverse a desolate wilderness of huge boulders and the once-glacial Lac d’Ifni just to reach the base!

The Ourika Valley spreads between the first foothills of the Atlas Mountains, extending along the Wadi River. Despite its proximity to Marrakech, this beautiful lush valley is rich in vegetation, and is one of the most pristine oases in Morocco. If hiking isn’t your thing, camel treks into the Sahara are an exhilarating and unique way to partake in Berber life. Quad bikes and 4x4 excursions from the city let you get where the larger tour buses don’t go.

Sand dune-racing by car is an adventure sport perfected by local tour guides, and something you’ll never forget, as you rocket over sand dunes at high speeds. To escape to the beach, visit the famous port city of Essaouira, just an hour's drive west of Marrakech. This old fishing town is now a reclaimed watersports spot. Essaouira is known for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as powerful trade winds blow constantly onto its protected, waveless bay.