The Atlas Mountains stretch across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in the north of Africa. They separate the Mediterranean Sea from the Sahara Desert and are excellent for trekking.

One of the most popular mountains to ascent is 4,165 m high Jebel Toubkal, Morocco's highest peak and the highest point of the mountain range. You will need warm clothes and good shoes, as well as a sleeping bag, as it is not possible to reach the top and return in one day.

The usual starting point to climb Jebel Toubkal is the town of Imlil, 17 km south of Asni. Imlil is on the main road between Agadir and Marrakech. You can also start from the villages of Setti-Fatma, or Oukaïmeden, but these routes are much longer.

Usually you'll walk from Imlil to the Neltner hut at 3,207 m, passing through the villages of Aroumd and Sidi Chamharouch. In the villages you can fill up your supplies. At the Neltner hut you can spend the night and the following day you can walk to the summit of Jebel Toubkal and all the way back down to Imlil. At the top it can be very cold even in summer. You don't need a guide if you stay on the trails, but make sure you have a good map.

Another interesting trek is from Imlil to the town of Tacheddirt on the other side of a 3,000 m high pass. This trek can be done in one day and from Tacheddirt there are numerous trekking possibilities through the area. Interesting villages in the area include Tazarhart and Tizi Oussem.

The Ourika Valley is also well worth exploring, although the main town of Ourika is of little interest.

There are buses from Marrakech to Asni and from there it is fairly easy to get a lift to Imlil.

The Atlas Mountains are primarily inhabited by Berber populations.