Imlil
Travelers come to Imlil, a village in Morocco’s High Atlas, to begin the trek toward Mount Toubkal or visit the surrounding valleys.
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Imlil is a small village in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, about 50 km south of Marrakesh and 1,800 metres above sea level. It is close to Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco and Northern Africa. The tarmac road ends in Imlil, the main centre for mountain tourism in Morocco. Trekkers hire mountain guides and mules here for the onward route. Older hamlets in the surrounding valleys include Tamatert, Ait Souka, Tagadirt, Tacheddirt and Acheim. Shared taxis and minibuses run to Asni and Ikkiss; Asni holds a weekly market on Saturdays.
Moroccans visit in summer to escape the heat of the Haouz plain, as well as to trek in the mountains. Summers are hot and dry, with cool nights; winters are cold and snowy. Daytime and nighttime temperatures can differ sharply. Heavy rain can trigger flash floods in the valleys, so check the weather before setting out on a trek. Two trekkers, one from Denmark and one from Norway, were murdered near Imlil in December 2018. Check current official travel advice before planning a trek in the area.
Imlil in five
- Leave the summit plan to the Toubkal guideImlil is the trailhead, but the climb has its own pages for route, season and gear. Use this page for the village, the road and the valley walks.How to climb Toubkal
- Ask your guesthouse who arranges guidesLocal rules for foreign hikers can change, so ask on arrival. The UK government advises hiring a professional guide for Atlas hikes and checking your insurance covers the activity.
- Keep slack between your walk and the transfer backMountain and secondary roads can be hazardous in poor weather, so leave margin before any flight or train from Marrakech, and avoid the drive after dark.
- Use Imlil as a valley base if you will not climbGuesthouses and small lodges let you walk to nearby villages and viewpoints without a summit attempt. Day-walkers still benefit from a local guide for route choice and weather calls.
- Arrange the road from Marrakech firstThere is no train here. Hire a driver, take a shared taxi or join a tour, and agree the return time up front so you are not stuck on a mountain road after dark.Marrakech
Things to do in Imlil
See all attractions in Imlil
Need to know
- Nearest city
- Marrakech, reached by a mountain road
- Getting there
- Hired car, shared taxi or tour; no train or coach to the village
- Getting around
- On foot and by mule on the paths above the village
- Best base
- A guesthouse in Imlil or a nearby valley village
- Time needed
- One day for walks; two or three for Toubkal
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow possible
- FebruarySnow possible
- MarchCool, windy
- AprilSpring walking
- MayGood trekking
- JuneGood trekking
- JulyHot valley
- AugustHot valley
- SeptemberGood trekking
- OctoberAutumn walking
- NovemberCold, snow
- DecemberSnow likely
Right now in Imlil
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Toubkal National Park
09:55 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today7°1°98%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue6°2°85%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Wed7°1°15%Wednesday: Fog. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu8°3°0%Thursday: Fog. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°4°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat11°6°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun10°6°30%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 05:37 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Marrakecha mountain road backThe medina is the usual base before and after the trek.Read the guide
- Agafay Deserta half-day add-onRocky plateau camps on the plain below the foothills.Read the guide
- High Atlas valleysa separate multi-day tripThe Ait Bouguemez valley and other high valleys sit well beyond a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Imlil
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Rules for Imlil, checked
- Toubkal approach: the FCDO advises a professional guide, water, sunscreen and suitable clothing, and insurance that covers the planned activity.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Imlil
Valleys, passes and ski slopes
Read the guideMarrakech travel guideThe city you start from
Read the guideAgafay DesertA rocky desert camp below the foothills
Read the guideAll of MoroccoCities, desert, coast and entry basics
Read the guideBest time to visit MoroccoWhich months suit the mountains
Read the guideToubkal National ParkSummit climb, season and gear
Read the guideOurika ValleyThe neighboring valley on the Marrakech side
Read the guideImlil FAQ
How do you get from Marrakech to Imlil?
By hired car, shared taxi or tour on a mountain road; there is no train or coach to the village. Agree the return time before you leave so you are not on the road after dark.
Do you need a guide for valley walks around Imlil?
Short village paths are easy to follow, but a local guide helps with route choice and weather calls, and anything higher needs one. Ask your guesthouse for the current local rules.
Where do you sleep in Imlil?
In a guesthouse or small lodge in the village or a nearby valley village. Choose the village for early starts and the quieter valley for a slower stay.
Can you visit Imlil as a day trip from Marrakech?
Yes, by hired car or tour, but a mountain road both ways makes for a long day. A night in a guesthouse gives you evening light and a calmer morning walk.
Is Imlil good without hiking Toubkal?
Yes. The valley has village walks, mule paths and small lodges, and many visitors come for the setting rather than the summit. It is a quiet counterpoint to the Marrakech medina.