Marrakech: A colorful beginning in the red city
To kick off your epic Morocco adventure using this Atlas Mountains Solo Trekking Guide, your journey begins in the vibrant and essential hub of Marrakech.
Our first stop along the Atlas Mountains route is Marrakech, the city often called the heart of Morocco. Known as the “Red City,” Marrakech is a lively metropolis rich in history and energy, maintaining its vibrancy despite the scorching summer heat. During the summer months, daytime temperatures can range from 31°C to 36.5°C. That’s why it’s smart to begin exploring early in the morning and take a break at a shaded café for a mint tea at midday. Locals call it “Berber whisky,” and it’s the ideal refreshment for travelers wanting to cool off.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Marrakech embraces you at once with its maze-like alleys and lively souks. Here, you might find yourself walking through clouds of spice aromas, splashes of dye from leather workshops, and the clinking echoes of coppersmiths. Architectural treasures like the Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa highlight Morocco’s rich history.
When evening falls, Marrakech takes on a completely different atmosphere. Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, in particular, shakes off the busy chaos that lasts throughout the day. During daylight hours, the square is filled with fresh juice stalls and snake charmers, but after sunset, it comes alive with steaming grill stands and traditional musicians. Locals and travelers gather here to enjoy smoky kebabs while listening to storytellers and musicians performing under the night sky.
For an authentic stay in Marrakech, opt for a traditional guesthouse known as a riad, tucked within the historic center. Behind thick earthen walls, you may find a courtyard with a cool pool or orange trees, along with the chance to experience Moroccan hospitality firsthand. Walking is the best way to explore the city. For longer distances, you can hop into what they call a “petit taxi,” small cabs common in Marrakech, but remember to bargain before you ride. If you want a more personal perspective on traveling from Marrakech to the Sahara, you can read about our team member Simge Aktaş’s experience in this article.
A peaceful village at the foot of the Atlas Mountains
Leaving behind the lively atmosphere of Marrakech and heading about two hours south, you step into an entirely different world. Nestled at the base of the Atlas Mountains at around 1,800 meters above sea level, the small village of Imlil feels like a peaceful retreat where you can lean back against the mountains and breathe deeply. It’s also a refreshing escape for both travelers and locals seeking relief from the stifling heat of the city.
The first thing you’ll notice upon arriving in Imlil is the crisp mountain air and the freshness of the greenery surrounding you. The village is bordered by orchards and terraced fields, which blanket the landscape in lush green during spring and summer. Though small, Imlil draws everyone from backpackers to professional mountaineers, as it’s known as the starting point for climbing Mount Toubkal. Along its main street, you’ll find shops selling basic supplies, offices for local guides, and a few cafés.
Accommodation in Imlil typically consists of family-run guesthouses or mountain lodges. Imagine staying in a stone-walled lodge with a terrace, waking up to views of the valley framed by your window. Many of these places offer breakfast packages and can arrange guides for both before and after your trek.
The most practical way to get to Imlil from Marrakech is by what is called a “grand taxi,” which is a shared taxi, or by bus. Early in the morning, shared taxis leave Marrakech once enough passengers have filled the seats, usually passing through Asni before reaching Imlil. Along the way, the road winds through valleys dotted with olive trees and small Berber villages, offering plenty of scenic views.
Climbing Mount Toubkal: A hourney to the roof of North Africa
For those who make it as far as Imlil, the climb to Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains at 4,167 meters, is a popular adventure. The trail does not require technical mountaineering skills, making it accessible to visitors in decent shape. With a guide, the trip can be safely arranged and generally takes two days. On the first day, the trek begins in Imlil and, after five to six hours of hiking, reaches the Toubkal Refuge at 3,207 meters. The following morning, the climb to the summit begins. Along the way, the views unfold in every direction: the reddish horizon of the Sahara to the east, the majestic Atlas range stretching north, and the plains beyond the mountains to the west. At dawn on the summit, all these landscapes come together into a single breathtaking scene.
Dades Valley: A natural wonder to observe the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs”
As you travel east from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the landscape begins to shift. Jagged peaks give way to reddish cliffs, lush valley floors, and fairy-tale-like fortresses. The Dades Valley is one of the most striking examples of this geography. Stretching across southwestern Morocco, from the slopes of the Jebel Saghro mountains to the edge of the Atlas range, the valley is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness. Its nickname, the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” is well earned. Countless kasbahs (castles) are scattered along the valley, with some still home to local families and others long abandoned. The natural beauty of the Dades Valley, however, is beyond words. Carved over millions of years by the Dades River, the valley floor is etched with gorges plunging up to 500 meters deep. Especially in the Dades Gorge, the sight of the river winding between sheer cliffs is breathtaking; a view we highly recommend pausing to take in.
Travelers driving from Marrakech first cross the famous “Tizi n’Tichka Pass” at 2,260 meters, winding their way over the Atlas Mountains. Each bend in the road offers stunning views that might tempt you to slow down. For those using public transport, options include buses from Marrakech to Ouarzazate or directly toward the Dades region, which take about eight hours to reach the area. Once in Boumalne Dades, you can continue deeper into the valley by taxi.
Along the Dades Valley, especially around Boumalne Dades and near the gorge, a variety of accommodation options are available. Many of these lodgings are family-run guesthouses or hotels that reflect the region’s traditional architecture.
Since the valley lies far from city lights, the night sky is strikingly clear. Even the Milky Way is visible here, creating an excellent setting for stargazing. If your visit coincides with the Perseid meteor shower, you might see dozens of shooting stars in just a few hours.
Ait Benhaddou: A historic fairytale on the skirts of the desert
As you leave the Atlas Mountains behind and head toward the desert’s edge, the scenery begins to resemble a film set. Ait Benhaddou, located in southern Morocco near Ouarzazate on the southern slopes of the Atlas range, catches your eye as you approach. The sight of earthen buildings on the far side of the Ounila River immediately stands out: clay-colored houses leaning against the hillside, small towers at the corners, all surrounded by walls. It feels like a tableau from centuries ago. Ait Benhaddou is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site as one of the best-preserved examples of southern Moroccan architecture from the 17th century.
In the dry summer months, you can walk across the riverbed to reach the entrance of the settlement; in spring, a small bridge provides the crossing. As you move upward through the walls, you pass houses where a few families still live, along with tourist shops and workshops. From the top of the village, the view opens onto a palm-fringed oasis, modern homes scattered across the opposite hillside, and the silhouette of the Atlas Mountains. At sunset, the earthen structures glow red in the golden light. Historically, Ait Benhaddou was one of the key stops along the trade route stretching from the Sahara to Marrakech. Caravans carrying salt, spices, and gold would rest here. Within the site you can still see a small mosque, a grain store, gathering spaces, and, just beyond the walls, the remnants of old markets, reminders of how lively a commercial hub this kasbah once was.
Another element that makes Ait Benhaddou special is its reputation as a film set in recent decades. Its striking earthen fortress drew Hollywood’s attention, and scenes from classics like Lawrence of Arabia, The Message, Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven were shot here. Even Game of Thrones used the village to depict the city of Yunkai, conquered by Daenerys Targaryen. As you walk through, you’ll notice some shops decorated with photos from these productions and snapshots of cast members with locals.
Traveling from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou takes approximately three to four hours by road. Although many visitors go on day trips, staying at least one night enriches the experience. The village’s colors at sunrise and sunset, along with the tranquility that emerges after the crowds leave, are truly unforgettable.
For lodging, there are several small hotels and guesthouses across the river, some with terraces overlooking the kasbah. Watching the village’s silhouette under dim evening lights from one of these terraces is one of the most memorable ways to end a day here.
The Atlas Mountains and their surroundings blend Morocco’s cultural richness and natural beauty into a single, stunning route. From Marrakech’s vibrant energy to the trails of Imlil, the glorious summit of Toubkal, the dramatic canyons of the Dades Valley, and the historic walls of Ait Benhaddou, this trip offers solo travelers with an unforgettable experience filled with countless faces of Morocco.
