Ouirgane Hike 5 - Imlil to Setti Fadma

A Stroll Through the High Atlas Valleys

Summary

This is one of our most popular hikes in the whole High Atlas - a traverse from Imlil to Setti Fadma in the beautiful Ourika Valley.

Activity code: ITCTtoRAK12

Difficulty: GRADE ONE - walking mostly on paths at lower levels, sometimes rocky, seldom flat, for about 6 hours each day. Good shoes would do but take boots if you are used to them. Suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active life. NB. Hiking always involves some effort.

Duration: 3 Days

A great introduction to the lower levels of the High Atlas, this fascinating hike is available almost year round. You will meet the Berber people throughout this route which includes two nights in relatively remote villages. At the end of the trek, depending upon the weather, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit and possibly swim in the cascades near Setti Fadma.

This hike is designed to start by walking directly from your accommodation in Ouirgane or Marigha, such as Kasbah Tatfi de l'Atlas. All hikes are individual, tailor-made reservations so can be arranged for any number of people on any start date.

Additional Information

All hikes are individual, tailor-made reservations so can be arranged for any number of people on any start date. Please do not hesitate to contact us to book one of these hikes or to enquire further about the itineraries, locations and terrain.

We recommend you bring the following: walking boots or stout shoes suitable for walking, rambler pole (optional), hat, sunscreen, nibbles, hygienic wipes (or gel), filled water bottle(s).

Example meals on our hikes:

  • Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer.
  • Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea.
  • Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

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Prices from £ per person

What's included on your hiking trip ?

  • Experienced, licensed, English-speaking mountain guide throughout
  • Private round trip transportation from Ouirgane
  • Tents & undermats (or 2 nights in Berber houses)
  • Cook and equipment
  • All meals as detailed.

Itinerary

Depart after breakfast from Ouirgane for a pleasant drive east to the small town of Asni, from here to turn south up the pleasant, winding and contrasting Mizane Valley into the foothills of the High Atlas and the trailhead in the Berber village of Imlil (1740m). With paths branching out all around your guide will lead you along a piste for a two hour hike towards the east up to the Tizi n’Tamatert (2272m) then, alongside fields of barley and orchards of walnut, apple and cherry trees, until you reach the hamlet of Tamatert (1850m). Once through this tiny settlement take a path leading up though pine and juniper woods to a small mountain pass, or Tizi. Your guide will suggest a stop here to admire the Imlil and Imenane Valleys, this latter with its many Berber hamlets ('Douars') tucked precariously on to the slopes and Jbel Oukaimeden (3268m) - known locally as "Ouka" - almost as high as the Rockies on the near horizon.

Form here carry on along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of  Ouaneskra and then Amghedoul (2130m), set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the hard slopes, where your guide will prepare your field picnic on the plateau used, in summer, as a favoured bivouac site. The afternoon will be spent hiking for some three hours up through the valley along mule trails until you reach the pretty Berber village of Tacheddirt (2291m) - the oldest village in the region - set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes. Your guide will arrange your overnight stay in a Gite d'etape.

Whilst dinner is being prepared, there's ample opportunity to visit the village and the always-welcoming hardy Berber villagers.

After an early breakfast set off for your hike south-eastwards to the terraced village of Timichchi (1860m), at the head of the Ourika Valley. For two to three hours hike slowly up to the Tizi n'Tacheddirt (3200m), which affords a stunning panoramic view of the Jebel Aksoual (3842m) and of Bou Iguenouane (3882m) on one side and Angour (3616m) on the other, the beautiful, verdant valley stretching out way below. Your route traverses the pass and continues on down through the rocks north-eastwards for a further two hours until it reaches the Berber village of Iaabassene (2030m), where your guide will prepare a welcome field picnic next to a spring just outside of the village.

The afternoon's two hour hike takes you up further to the northeast down the valley to the old village of Timichchi, a charming terraced pise conglomeration of homes set amongst ancient nut trees, where your dinner will be prepared and overnight in a Berber family’s home.

After breakfast set out for a four to five hour hike eastwards down along the valley full of cornfields and orange groves, with many streams flowing down from the upper slopes. Your route passes through the villages of Isghouarne and Agadir n'Ait Boulmane and then to the top of the beautiful Ourika Valley proper and the renowned Berber village of Setti Fadma, with its ancient nut trees and waterfalls.

Your guide will stop here for you to enjoy your field picnic just outside the village, before hiking up some 400m during a further hour to the waterfalls to see [hopefully] some of the area's Barbary apes before hiking back down the verdant Upper Valley to rejoin your transport, in the mid afternoon, back to Ouirgane.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Travel Knowledge

  • We have all travelled extensively and will be happy to share our experiences.
  • Personally-chosen hotels, riads, guest houses & apartments in places we know and love.
  • Individual sightseeing recommendations and route planning.
  • Add excursions, activities and food & wine experiences (one of our passions).

Why book trekking with us ?

  • Andy & Head Guide, Houcine, have many years of experience of treks in Morocco.
  • Routes are fully tried & trusted.
  • Timings are based on individual bookings, allowing for amendments & short cuts.
  • A wealth of experience - contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.