Trekking
How to Prepare for the 2-Day Mount Toubkal Trek
April 30, 2026 · 10 min read
Fitness, gear, altitude and season — what you need to know before summiting North Africa's highest peak.
Fitness
You need to be comfortable walking 6 hours with 1,400 m of ascent on day one and another 1,000 m before breakfast on day two. Train with long hikes and stair or hill sessions for at least six weeks.
Gear
Broken-in boots with ankle support, three warm layers, waterproof shell, hat, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses and sunscreen. Mules carry your main bag to the refuge, so you only walk with a daypack and water.
Altitude
At 4,167 m the air holds about 60% of the oxygen at sea level. Walk slowly, drink 3 litres a day and tell your guide immediately about headaches or nausea. Descending 400 m usually resolves mild symptoms.
Seasons
April to October is the walking season. From December to March the route is a genuine winter climb with crampons and an ice axe, provided by the operator along with instruction.
Who you walk with
Preparation only takes you so far: on summit day the judgement of the person leading you matters more than your gear list. Our treks are led by accredited Moroccan mountain guides who live in the Imlil valley and climb this route through every season, so the decision to continue or turn back is made by someone who knows what the mountain looks like on a bad morning.