Mgoun Massif Hiking & Trekking Guide

Jebel M’Goun and summer pasture on Tarkeddit plateau, High Atlas, Morocco — Flickr CC-BY

Canyons, gorges and Morocco’s second-highest peak

The Mgoun massif is a wilderness of rose-red canyons, high plateaus and river gorges, crowned by Ighil Mgoun (4,068 m) — a multi-day trek through some of the Atlas’s most dramatic and remote terrain.

Region: Central High Atlas · Altitude: 4,068 m

History

The valleys of Aït Bougmez, the “Happy Valley”, have farmed these slopes for millennia, their kasbahs guarding ancient trade routes.

Culture

Deeply traditional Berber life, communal granaries (agadirs) and warm village hospitality.

Climate

Continental and dry; cold nights at altitude even in summer.

Best time to visit

June to September, when high passes are clear of snow.

Food

Simple, nourishing Berber fare cooked at high-altitude camps and in valley homes.

Difficulty & fitness requirements

Tours to Mgoun Massif range in difficulty: Strenuous, Challenging, Moderate, Moderate – Challenging. Choose a trek that matches your fitness and experience, and ask our guides for a personalised recommendation.

Altitude: 4,068 m. Higher destinations demand better acclimatisation and fitness; our itineraries build in gradual ascent where needed.