A TRAIL RUNNING ASCENT

TOUBKAL  CHALLENGE

Thurs, Mar 26 to Mon, Mar 30 2026

or Register Interest

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High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

  • 5 days - 4 nights

  • Thur, March 26 - Mon, March 30, 2026

  • Approx 100km covered & 2750m elevation over 3 days

  • £580pp (all included except flights)

In our fifth edition of the Toubkal Challenge, we invite runners to experience breathtaking landscapes and world-class mountain trails in the heart of Morocco’s trail running community; the High Atlas Mountains.

Guided by local trail running athletes, you will ascend and descend the highest peak in North Africa; Toubkal summit (4,167m), through lesser-known trails that take you through various valleys.

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  • 'The meticulous planning of the team to incorporate extensive exercise alongside eye-opening cultural experiences made the trip something I will treasure for the rest of my life. Running with local guides and living in remote communities is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself into a different culture.'

    Bethany Barnett (Nov 2023)

  • 'An unforgettable week full of activities, new experiences, and great people. I got to see the country in a very special way and made memories that will stay with me.'

    René Koch (Apr 2024)

  • ‘This was an unforgettable trip. We visited beautiful places, stayed at a wonderful place in Aroumd, ate delicious food, and received very useful running tips for altitude and long distances. Special thanks to our amazing guide Youssef who led the trips and the runs.’

    Michael Bakalov (Nov 2023)

  • 'I had one of the most special weeks!! We ran through such beautiful trails, I was blown away, and whilst in the mountains I felt I got a real sense of the culture around us. The trip was so clearly carefully thought through - the care and effort really shone through.'

    Anton Heath (Nov 2024)

  • 'It was my first time in Morocco and such a special way of getting to know the country. Other than the beautiful trail running in the High Atlas Mountains, we climbed Mount Toubkal, went cold swimming, slept in the dessert, explored the beautiful old city of Marrakech, and much more.'

    Leonie Bredenbals (Nov 2023)

  • 'Had a fantastic trip with Sebastien and a really fun group, who I met entirely on the trip! We had a great mix of local meals, cultural excursions and daily runs with Nordin, which we could tailor to our fitness levels. It was such a fun-packed, high energy week!'

    Ryan Rousseau (Nov 2024)

  • The athletes, our guide, our hosts, along with the local community were all hugely welcoming, friendly, fun, as well as clearly experienced, which was reassuring and encouraging. The food was exactly was was needed: heart-warming, fuelling, healthy, and of course delicious. Overall a very well organised and balanced trip - smooth and professional whilst allowing for adventure and flexibility; busy and engaging whilst allowing space and time for personal freedom.'

    Willoghby Mulligan (Nov 2023)

  • 'This was my first running trip and a very memorable one it was! What I didn't expect, is the way in which the whole group developed strong friendships and bonds as the week developed. I can't recommend this trip enough and have already suggested it to many of my friends!'

    Mukti Mulligan (Nov 2023)

  • 'It was a great trip. I met many nice people. The crowd size felt right, not too big to feel unimportant. We had a perfect guide (Youssef), who introduced us to the community, with whom we played football.'

    Elezar Eskender (Nov 2024)

  • 'In April I arrived from Germany with a friend and didn't really know what to expect. At that point, I couldn't have dreamed of what lay ahead. A journey like no other. Between sports, culture and sense of community, I have met people with whom I keep close contact to this day and created memories that will remain with me for a lifetime. I would describe in detail how my trip, but I think it better for those who read this to experience it for themselves.'

    Jakob Held (Apr 2024)

  • 'Youssef, our guide, belongs to that category of extraordinary people which you encounter once and remember for the rest of your life; due to his breadth and depth of knowledge but more importantly for his extreme kindness and warm soul. Another special mention must go to Nourdin and Jamal, our local running guides who are nothing short of world-class athletes. Haraka Baraka has tremendous luck in working with such talented and joyful athletes.'

    Antonio Escobar (Nov 2024)

  • 'It was a magnificent journey, in which the entire team upped the level of their training to a new level. Mountain, desert, road, sand, snow; we crossed all types of beautiful terrain in intense workouts led by world-class local athletes. It was a raw, immersive and transformative experience for us all in which we enjoyed local food, met incredible people and completed once-in-a-lifetime ascents and workouts.'

    Antonio Escobar (Nov 2024)

  • 'The agency is in the sweet spot of having nailed a near-perfect product but still managing to maintain the attention to client levels that only starting companies can aspire to. A once in a lifetime opportunity, which I could not recommend more.'

    Antonio Escobar (Nov 2024)

  • 'This trip was perfectly organised from start to finish. The camp was not only well equipped, but also run with great attention to detail – you immediately felt welcome. For me, it was the most authentic travel experience I have ever had. A real highlight were the encounters with the local population – especially playing football with the local children. The highlight of the trip was the ascent of Toubkal. Highly recommended for those looking for adventures with real cultural contact!'

    Pauli Pichler (Apr 2024)

  • 'We had an amazing time in one of the most peaceful and simultaneously inspiring settings I personally have been in. The food was exactly was was needed: heart-warming, fuelling, healthy, and of course delicious.'

    Willoghby Mulligan (Nov 2023)

  • 'The excellent food and fresh mountain air certainly helped! The setting is a small mountain village that's just off the beaten track, meaning you get a sense of true immersion in a local community. I can't recommend this trip enough and have already suggested it to many of my friends!'

    Mukti Mulligan (Nov 2023)

  • 'I enjoyed the most beautiful running I have experienced, world class hosting from Sebastien, Oscar, Youssef, and others, as well as lovely company from fellow attendees, who I’m glad to now call friends. The sessions led by local athletes including the wonderful Nordin, were challenging in all the rights ways. Through a palpable group spirit I felt able to push my limits.''

    Simon Rollet de Fougerolles (Nov 2023)

  • ‘Outside of running, Haraka Baraka was brilliant from a cultural immersion perspective; be it visiting the Souks in Marrakesh, a football match with the local kids, or experiencing an authentic Atlas Hammam, I felt as if I truly saw the beautiful country of Morocco. I cannot recommend Haraka Baraka highly enough. I can say with certainty that I will return for another trip with them.’

    Simon Rollet de Fougerolles (Nov 2023)

ITINERARY

Highlights include:

Led by a Moroccan female ultra runner

Running the less explored trails to the the highest peak in North Africa

Enjoying authentic mountain lodging

Interact and learn about local life in remote Amazigh communities

  • Day 1 - Thursday

    Meet 4 pm at riad in Marrakesh medina to the highest village in the West High Atlas Mountains

    • Introductions, trip breakdown

    • Drive to Tachdirt village High Atlas Mountains

      • Approx 1.5 drive

    • Dinner & sleep first night in Tachdirt mountain gite (2,350m)

    • Relax, eat, sleep. Recover from travel 

    1st night

  • Slow morning (allowing altitude acclimatisation) : Breakfast at 9am and begin run to Oukaimden at 11am

    • Running the trail to the Oukaimden (2,300m)  

      • 1.5 hours running before lunch at ski resort

      • Complete run after lunch to sunset spot

      • Total run of approx 30km and 700m elevation gain

      • Option to shorten extend run

    • Opportunity to swim in mountain rivers for recovery 

    • Evening chill time with fellow attendees and local runners

    • Sleep in same Tachdirt mountain gite

    2nd night

  • Leaving 9am for run from Aizin village to Aroumd village (1,900m)

    • Running the trail to the Mountain pass (2,500m)  

      • 3 hours running before lunch picnic

      • Total run of 30km and 1000m elevation gain

    • Luggage driven to Aroumd village

    • Opportunity to take part in local village activities (e.g football match, goat herding, fruit picking)

    • Enjoy dinner at a home in the village belonging to one the running guides

    • Sleep in Aroumd village guesthouse

    3rd night

  • Running accent and descent of the highest peak in North Africa : Mount Toubkal (4,167m)

    • Early morning leave to base camp (3,200m) 

      • Early lunch and recovery

    • Followed by reaching the summit for early afternoon

      • 3km with over 1000m elevation

    • Return to Aroumd for sunset

    • Recovery swim in mountain rivers Recovery swim in mountain rivers and, if time permits, option for village Hammam (Islamic style sauna & massage)

    • Final dinner with all particpants and local runners

    • Sleep in same guesthouse in Aroumd village 


    4th night 

  • Leave the High Atlas Mountains for Marrakesh to conclude the trip

    • Enjoy our final meal together

    • Head to Marrakesh for the conclusion of the trip

      • Approx 1.5 hour drive

    • Option to be dropped off directly at the airport 

      • Flight logistics to be sorted ahead of time

    • Opportunity to visit the historic city of Marrakesh

      • Visit the infamous souks, museums and galleries 

Previous Trips

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Resting in the shade of the juice stand
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Pitstop at Toubkal mountain refuge
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Lunch at the top of Toubkal
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Sunrise view of the metal trigonometric marker that was placed there on August 8, 1931 to mark the top of Toubkal
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    • Transport to and from Marrakech

    • Running guides

    • Mules to carry the baggage and food

    • Accommodation

    • All food during the trek (including snacks)

    • Cook to prepare all meals

    • Flights

    • Personal travel insurance

    • Personal expenses e.g souvenirs

    • Tips

  • All cuisine will be Moroccan dishes prepared by local cooks and included in the price

    All food is locally sourced and it is not an issue to accommodate for allergies and dietary requirements

    Bottled water provided but note the fresh water springs in the mountains are safe to drink

  • The first and last night will be in a 3 star hotel in Marrakesh.

    One night will be in a guesthouse

    Two nights will be spent in a mountain refuge

  • 4/5 difficulty

    We recommend attendees have decent fitness level as well as familiarity running on trails.

  • Being in the High Atlas Mountains we will be at an altitude which means that it is cooler than the rest of Morocco.

    Autumn or Spring is a great time to be running. Expect temperatures around 20 degrees with it dropping to around 8 degrees at night.

KEY INFORMATION

MEET THE RUNNING GUIDES LOCAL TO THESE MOUNTAINS

  • Youssef Boulite

    Ex-competitive runner and former mountain guide with the British army Youssef is now an award-winning tour guide. In his village of Aroumd, he plays a leading role in the community by helping establish the new primary school and supporting local youth through sport. Youssef will serve as the head guide from day one.

  • Nourdin Bachqi

    Competitive trail runner (50-80km) who is a UTMB qualifier. Nordin holds the record for fastest known time ascending and descending Toubkal from his village of Imlil (3h 32m). He began running late at the age of 20 in order to beat his brother and is already competing on the international stage at the age of 23.

  • Jamal ait ifraden

    Competitive trail runner (100km +) and winner of various national trail races. Coming from a family of mountaineers, Jamal has a deep passion for all things mountain sports. When he's not training, Jamal works with various organisations to help design and deliver trail running and mountain biking competitions across the region.

  • Mohammed Ait Taleb

    Competitive trail runner and mountain guide. Born and raised in the village of Aroumd, the last settlement before the ascent to Toubkal, he has spent his life exploring the Atlas Mountains. Using his deep knowledge of the region, Mohammed helps create and map new routes as well as being a mountain guide.

We are proud to have all our trips led by local athletes and bring awareness to the rich culture of the High Atlas Mountains.

The trip logo symbolises this through the inclusion of Arumd village (ⴰⵔⴻⵎⴷ:) in the local language of Tamazight. This highlights how the amazing local partnerships is what makes Haraka Baraka complete.

Aroumd village is the last village before the ascent to Mount Toubkal, and is home to several of our runners. It is also the village which will host us on our first night of the Toubkal challenge, offering an insight into the calm and peaceful nature of those who reside here.

Register your interest

Register your interest for the Toubkal Challenge and stay updated on our 2026 Travel calendar. Alternatively email sebastien@harakabaraka.co.uk for any questions and personalised enquiries.