Ascent of Meltsen
Between sacred summits, Berber traditions and millennia-old engravings. A 4-night / 5-day trek deep in the High Atlas, across the Yagour Plateau and up Meltsen — with gîtes (mountain guesthouses), a mountain bivouac and a local homestay.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Early departure from Marrakech towards the Ourika Valley, at the gateway to the High Atlas. From around 1,200 m, the trek begins through terraced farmland and Berber villages.
Accompanied by mules, you follow ancient mule tracks up to the Aït Oucheg villages, at about 1,650 m. The afternoon is devoted to discovering this authentic setting and a first immersion in mountain life.
Walking: 3 to 4 hours.
Overnight in a mountain guesthouse.
Leaving the village, you climb towards Tizi-n-Oughri Pass, at about 2,300 m. As you ascend, the landscape opens onto the Yagour Plateau, a natural sanctuary of the High Atlas.
This vast pastoral expanse holds an exceptional heritage: the first rock engravings appear along the trails, witnesses to several millennia of history. From the heights, views stretch across the Atlas peaks and the plains of Marrakech.
Walking: 5 to 6 hours.
Overnight in a mountain guesthouse.
A full day at the heart of the Yagour Plateau, traditional territory of shepherds. The route passes near Lake Eferd, then towards the foothills of Meltsen (≈ 2,200 m).
You discover several remarkable sets of rock engravings. In the evening, camp is set in a wild, preserved landscape.
Walking: 5 to 6 hours.
Overnight in a bivouac.
An early start for the highlight of the trek: the ascent of Meltsen, rising to about 3,590 m. The route offers spectacular panoramas; from the summit, views open over the Atlas valleys — notably towards the Zat — and the great High Atlas peaks.
Walking: 7 to 8 hours.
Overnight in a local homestay.
After breakfast, descend through the wild landscapes of the High Atlas: steep relief, traditional villages and terraced crops, with fresh viewpoints over the Ourika Valley.
A lunch break in the mountains, then continue the descent and transfer back to Marrakech.
Walking: approximately 5 hours.
No overnight — return to Marrakech.
Ready to travel?
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