Walking in Morocco - Atlas to Atlantic

Our tour of Morocco starts in the Red City. With its dusty rooftops, maze-like streets and bustling souks, Marrakech encompasses the essence of Morocco. Head to the medina and people watch while you sip a mint tea in Jemaa el-Fna (the main square) or visit the Jardin Majorelle, just a short walk from our hotel.

There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. Our Explore Leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and then an optional dinner. If you arrive later, they'll catch you up as soon as possible.

This morning, we leave the bustle of Marrakech behind and journey into the beauty of the High Atlas, arriving in the peaceful village of Ouirgane. Nestled within Toubkal National Park, this hidden gem is framed by red-earth hills, fragrant pine forests and a sense of calm that feels worlds away.

On arrival, we set out on foot, crossing the Assif Azaden River and winding through ancient olive groves toward a panoramic viewpoint. From here, the landscape opens up to reveal the shimmering waters of Yacoub Al Mansour Lake far below, a perfect moment to pause and take it all in.

Descending along a gentle, winding path, we pass through the traditional villages of Torort and Anraz, walking beneath pine and juniper trees whose distinctive scent lingers in the mountain air. Following a quiet trail, we eventually reach the village of Marigha, where a warm welcome awaits in a local Berber home. Here, we'll sit down to a freshly prepared lunch, giving us a true taste of mountain hospitality.

After lunch, we'll have a short transfer to our hotel, set among landscaped gardens with the Atlas peaks rising behind. There's time to relax, perhaps with a dip in the outdoor pool, as the day winds down.

Today's walk covers 8 kilometres/4.5 miles and is expected to take around three hours. It has a total ascent and descent of 250 metres/820 feet.

Today, we venture deeper into Morocco's mountain heartland, travelling towards the serene Oued Nfis Valley. Here, history and landscape intertwine around the ruins of a 12th-century mosque - once a spiritual and political centre of the powerful Almohad dynasty, whose influence stretched from North Africa into Spain. Though damaged in the 2023 earthquake, the site still carries a quiet sense of its former grandeur.

Setting out on foot, we follow a circular trail through the village of Tgoundaft and the surrounding valley. The scenery shifts gently as we walk: olive trees and almond groves line the fertile valley floor, giving way to orchards and, higher up, forests of pine and juniper. In spring, the landscape bursts into life, with wildflowers and crops adding colour to the already picturesque setting.

After our walk, we continue by road on one of Morocco's most spectacular drives, crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Test Pass. Climbing through a series of dramatic switchbacks, we're rewarded with sweeping views back toward the towering Toubkal Massif. As we descend into the Souss Valley, the rugged mountains soften into a fertile plain, where orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see.

Our destination is Taroudant (often called "Little Marrakech") a vibrant, walled market town where Berber traders gather to sell fresh produce and handcrafted goods.

Tonight, we'll stay in a traditional riad set within a 300-year-old building in the heart of the medina, just steps from the bustling souks. With its tranquil courtyard garden, inviting terrace restaurant, and refreshing outdoor pool, it's the perfect place to unwind and soak up the atmosphere of southern Morocco.

Today, we set off on a scenic drive north into the Western High Atlas, journeying towards the peaceful Afensou Valley, around 40 kilometres/25 miles from Taroudant. As the landscape unfolds, we'll pause at a panoramic viewpoint where the valley stretches out below - an inviting patchwork of greenery framed by rugged mountain slopes.

From here, we begin our gentle descent on foot towards the village of Afensou, following paths that weave past small farms and terraced fields. Along the way, we'll catch glimpses of daily life as local families tend their crops, harvesting vegetables by hand in this fertile corner of the Atlas.

In the village, we'll head to our family-run guesthouse and sit down to a traditional lunch. A fragrant tagine takes centre stage (slow-cooked in its distinctive clay pot and rich with the sweet and savoury flavours of dates and spices) served alongside freshly baked khobz - a staple of Moroccan cuisine. Today's walk covers 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and is expected to take around two hours. It has a total descent of 100 metres/328 feet.

This morning, it's time to say goodbye to the Atlas Mountains and journey west towards the coast, heading for Agadir before continuing along the Atlantic shoreline to Sidi Mbarek.

As the road hugs the ocean, we'll pass through a landscape of small villages, banana plantations, and wide sandy beaches dotted with surfers - and, occasionally, camels. Keep an eye out for one of Morocco's most unusual sights: goats perched high in argan trees, nimbly climbing the branches in search of the fruit's sweet pulp.

Arriving at the quiet village of Sidi Mbarek, we'll set out on foot, following a trail that leads us down to the shore. Our walk continues along vast, unspoilt beaches, where the rhythmic sound of the waves and sweeping ocean views create a real sense of escape. We finish at Plage Azrou, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us further up the coast, passing the laid-back surf spot of Sidi Kaouki.

By late afternoon, we'll arrive in Essaouira, a charming fishing town framed by 15th-century Portuguese ramparts and a breezy Atlantic atmosphere. Tonight, we stay at Riad Al Madina, a beautifully restored 19th-century palace tucked within the historic medina walls. With its leafy central courtyard, trickling fountains, and rooftop terrace overlooking the medina, it's an oasis of calm after a day by the sea.

Today's walk covers 7.5 kilometres/4.6 miles and is expected to take around two hours along a flat route.

Essaouira became something of an artistic hub during the 60s and 70s, hosting icons such as Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens. That sense of creativity prevails in the ancient port city, and we'll head out on a walking tour to take it all in.

Stepping into the walled medina, we'll weave through narrow streets and hidden alleyways alive with the hum of daily life, where skilled artisans craft and sell everything from intricate woodwork to colourful textiles.

Climbing up onto the town's ramparts, we're rewarded with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean, where waves crash against the ancient walls and seabirds wheel overhead. Below, the bustling port comes into view, filled with a sea of iconic blue fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, as local fishermen haul in their nets and sort the day's catch. This afternoon, you're free to explore more of the captivating city at your own pace. You might like to dive back into the Medina in search of souvenirs, or stroll along Essaouira's wide, golden beach, soaking up the fresh ocean breeze and laid-back atmosphere.

After breakfast, it's time to head back to Marrakech - around a three-hour drive.

On arrival, we'll dive straight into the heady delights of the Red City with a guided walking tour. We'll pass by the rose-coloured Koutoubia (booksellers) Mosque on the way to Bahia Palace, an open-air museum that's famous for its decorated stucco walls and marble floors.

Heading into the medina on foot, we'll be guided through the labyrinth of spice-scented souks, passing by craftsmen selling rugs, leather goods and crockery before dropping by a spice shop along the way. Finally, we'll navigate our way out into the energetic Jemaa el-Fna Square. With time to spare, there might be the opportunity to pick up last-minute gifts or enjoy a final mint tea.

Our tour of Morocco ends at our hotel in Marrakech.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).