The Toubkal Challenge
Experience breathtaking landscapes and world-class mountain trails in the heart of Morocco’s trail running community; the High Atlas Mountains.
Haraka Baraka / الحركة بركة
Guided by local 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.
A five day trail running trip built around Mount Toubkal, long trail through the High Atlas Mountains and a demanding ascent to finish. 90 km and 2750 m of climbing make this a serious weekend for strong runners.
This five-day journey begins in Marrakech and climbs straight into the High Atlas - the heart of Morocco's trail running community and home to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167m.
From the mountain village of Tacheddirt you run point to point through the range: trails toward Oukaïmeden, over high passes, and down into Aroumd - the last village before Toubkal, and home to several of our guides. The final morning is the mountain itself, a full ascent and descent of the summit before returning to the valley for sunset.
Across three days of running you'll cover roughly 90 kilometres and climb 2,750 metres, guided throughout by local Amazigh athletes who were born and raised on these trails.
Difficulty: 4/5 — Hard
This is a trip for runners with a solid level of fitness and some experience on trails. The terrain is demanding and the altitude is real, but the pace is yours and each day's run can be shortened or extended to suit the group. You'll want to arrive trail-fit, not run into shape.
Dining: Every meal is Moroccan, locally sourced and prepared by local cooks - substantial breakfasts to fuel the day, picnic lunches out on the trail, and shared dinners in the mountains, including one in the home of one of our running guides in Aroumd.
Who this is for: Runners who want a genuine mountain challenge alongside a real connection to the place and the people behind it. It isn't built for those after a gentle hiking holiday - here, the running and the summit are the point.
Day 1 - Marrakech
Meet and undergo introductions at 4 pm in a riad in Marrakesh medina. Before then heading to Tizi N'Tacheddirt, the highest village in the West High Atlas Mountains
Introductions, trip breakdown
Drive to Tacheddirt village High Atlas Mountains
Approx 1.5 hour drive
Dinner & sleep first night in Tachdirt mountain gite (2,350m)
Relax, eat, sleep. Recover from travel
1st night
ITINERARY
Day 2 - Tizi N’Tacheddirt
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 Tacheddirt mountain gite
2nd night
Day 3 - Imlil
Leaving 9am for run from Tacheddirt village to Aroumd village (1,900m) in Imlil Valley
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
Day 4 - Toubkal
Running ascent and descent of the highest peak in North Africa : Mount Toubkal (4,167m)
Trail run of 30km with around 2000m of elevation
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 and, if time permits, option for village Hammam (Islamic sauna & massage)
Final dinner with all participants and local runners
Sleep in same guesthouse in Aroumd village
4th night
Day 5 - Marrakech
Trip conclusion with breakfast, our final meal, and the transport to Marrakesh in the morning.
Head to Marrakesh
Approx 1.5 hour drive
Option to be dropped off directly at the airport or in city
Flight logistics to be sorted ahead of time
Opportunity to visit the historic city of Marrakesh on your own
Visit the infamous souks, museums and galleries
What’s Included
All Meals
Accommodation
Local Guides
Transport to & from Marrakech
What’s not included: Flights, personal travel insurance & tips
FAQs
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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.
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Yes, upon booking there is the option to upgrade to private bedroom.
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Yes will take all dietary requirements ahead of the trip and work with our cook to ensure everyone has the appropiate meals.
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Yes, female running in Morocco is growing in populairty and is widely accepted, even in remote areas like the Atlas Mountains.
We also offer a women’s only trip that is led by a local female trail runner.
However, we do ask that women remain moderatly dressed (i.e covering shoulders and avoiding short shorts) to respect the local culture.
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If you can comfortably run 10–15km on hilly, off-road terrain and string together back-to-back days on your feet, you're in good shape for this trip.
The pace is yours and every day's run can be shortened or extended to suit the group, but you'll want to arrive trail-fit rather than planning to run into shape along the way.
Don’t be put off by the trails. Plenty of runners arrive with a strong level of fitness but little or no trail experience and leave having fallen completely in love with the sport.
Meet the athletes and guides local to the High Atlas Mountains
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Youssef Id 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.
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Nourdin Bachqi
Competitive trail runner (50-80km) who is a UTMB qualifier. Nourdin 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 24.
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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.
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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.
Every trip begins with a conversation. Register your interest and your Trip Director will be in touch within 24 hours to answer any questions, discuss dates, and help you decide if it's the right adventure for you.
