While Morocco is a well-known tourist destination for travelers looking to experience the culture, see the sights and taste the delicious cuisine, it is also a world-class rock climbing destination. There is a wide range of climbing for all levels across the country. Perhaps you’ve never climbed a day in your life, you are a gym climber looking to expand your experience, or an experienced climber looking for a unique sport or trad climbing challenge. Morocco offers a variety of unique climbing with a wide range of difficulty to peak your interest and satisfy your sense of adventure. Climbing here is also a wonderful way to get a sense of the diverse landscape and experience the warm hospitality of the Amazigh culture.
What To Bring
Getting technical gear in Morocco is very difficult, so bring any equipment you would need to climb on your own, or consider hiring a guide. There are Decathlon Stores in larger cities where you can get basic sport climbing gear if need be (if it happens to be in stock), but there is nowhere to purchase traditional climbing gear.
It can be difficult to purchase guidebooks in the country, so you may also consider ordering them before coming. We do have a select few available for sale in our office in Agadir or the climbing gym, Atlas Elevation, in Marrakech may have some.
While the days can be quite warm, the evenings get cold especially in the more mountainous areas, so come prepared with layers to dress accordingly.
As for medicine and first-aid supplies, you can get most of what you need at local pharmacies, but it’s generally good to come prepared.
What to Know
Morocco is a majority Muslim country and many of the climbing areas are in traditional rural villages, which are much more conservative. While it’s not expected that you follow the customs of locals, it is respectful especially for women to dress in ways that are more conservative (i.e. wearing long pants and more loose-fitted clothing).
It’s also good to be aware of the time of year when you are planning your trip. Ramadan often coincides with the prime of climbing season. While you can still travel during Ramadan, it’s important to be aware of some of the changes that will occur during this holy season. Check out our full Guide to Adventuring in Morocco During Ramadan.
When to Go
The majority of the climbing areas are best accessed between the months of October and April. A few areas can be climbed year-round, although you might need to hunt for shade.
Where to Go
We’ve tried to put together the most comprehensive list of all the places to climb across the country. Some of these have more info widely available and others are just local crags. But our hope is that these will be a basic resource to travelers and locals looking to experience the beauty and adventure of climbing in Morocco.
TODRA GORGE
This spectacular climbing destination in the southeast of Morocco is home to towering limestone walls around 300 meters in height. It is probably onfe of the more trafficked climbing areas in the country, and for a good reason. It’s a popular destination on many travel itineraries (for both climbers and non-climbers) as it sits on a popular travel route to Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. This does make it a more touristy destination, but that does not mean it’s not worth the hype. The Todra Gorge is home to hundreds of sport climbing routes for all levels, many of which are multi-pitch routes.
Type of Climbing: Sport climbing, single and multi-pitch
Rock Type: Limestone
Best Time: Fall and Spring. Winter can also be good if there isn’t rain in the forecast.
Getting There
The closest International airport is in Ouarzazate (2 hours away). Cars are easy to rent, but you can also access quite a bit on foot once you arrive at the gorge if you prefer to arrive by bus or taxi.
Bonus Beta
Fly in to Agadir, rent a 4×4 camper from Morocco Campers and do an epic road trip to climb in both Tafraout and Todra, stopping at popular destinations along the way like Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, then make you way down to Merzouga.
Family Friendly?
Yes. There are several easy-access kid’s crags in the gorge. There is also a scenic river flowing through it, which makes for great water play. More info in our blog Climbing in Morocco: A Family Adventure Guide
Where to Stay
The lovely Auberge La Valle is located in the heart of the gorge and offers comfortable and affordable accommodations. Breakfast and dinner are usually included during your stay.
Rest Day Activities
There are many trails for hiking in the area. You might also consider checking out the nearby oasis of Tinghir, going on a mountain bike ride near Ouarzazate, or trying out the via ferrata located in the gorge.
Tick List
- Chibania, 240m 6b
- La Classique, 285m 6a+
- Qui l’eût cru, 400m 5c
Guidebooks
The Oxford Alpine Climb sells the Todra Guide Book through their website, and this is the best way to get the guide book for the area. You will be pressed to find copies for sale in the gorge. You can also consider booking a Custom Climbing Trip with us.
TAGHIA GORGE
The Taghia Gorge, nestled in a remote valley of the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, is a world-class destination for difficult limestone multi-pitch sport climbing and big-wall climbing. This impressive gorge has walls up to 900 meters. You may know it from the film Free Solo about Alex Honnold. You used to have to hike in from the nearby Zaouiat Ahansal, but there is now a road that reaches the main village in the gorge. While there are a few easier climbs and a little bit of single-pitch climbing, it is a destination for more experienced climbers. Most of the classic climbing routes start around 7a or 5.11d.
Type of Climbing: Sport climbing, primarily multi-pitch 6b (5.10c) and harder
Rock Type: Limestone, multi-pitch and big-wall sport climbing
Best Time: September-November, February-May
Getting There
The closest airport is in Marrakech, about 4.5 hours to Zaouiat Ahansal. You can either rent a car or book transport from there.
Bonus Beta
Plan your travel to include a night in Zaouiat Ahansal. This will let you explore some of the restored kasbahs and sample some of the climbing there, before driving the final stretch to Taghia.
Family Friendly?
While the village is a fun place for kids to play, and there is a nice river to play in nearby, the majority of the climbing is not kid-friendly. If you’re coming with kids, make sure you have enough people in your group so that someone can stay at the guesthouse with the kids.
Where to Stay
Gite Taoujdate Taghia is the place to stay if you’re planning a trip to Taghia. Said and family’s hospitality are unmatched. They can also coordinate your transport as well as trekking guides in the area.
Rest Day Activities
Hike the famous, exposed Passage berbère, see the beautifully restored kasbahs of Zaouiat Ahansal, or try your hand at the newly installed via ferrata above Zaouiat Ahansal.
Tick List
- Les Rivières Pourpres, 600m 7b+
- Canyon Apache, 280m 6c
- Baraka, 680m 7b
- No Rest For The Wicked, 900m 7b+
Guidebooks
The Taghia Guide Book by Christian Ravier and Ihintza Elsenaar covers the whole area including the climbing in Zaouiat Ahansal. You can purchase it in Europe on his website, but he does not ship to the US or UK. You may be able to find it at Atlas Elevation Climbing Gym in Marrakech, but we recommend messaging them ahead of time.
TAFRAOUT
This superb and aesthetic destination in the southern Anti-Atlas region of Morocco is easy to access from Agadir (just 3 hours southeast). Tafraout is a climber’s paradise offering the most diverse range of climbing in the country. Just a short jaunt from the souk in the center of town, you will find piles of granite boulders reminiscent of Joshua Tree that cater to many different styles of climbing. Around the village of Agroud and the Painted Rocks you’ll find bouldering circuits for all levels, slabby sport climbing, and pristine splitter cracks for endless jamming. Make your way over to Ameln Valley for more adventurous multi-pitch trad climbing.
Type of Climbing: Bouldering, sport climbing, traditional climbing, single and multi-pitch
Rock Type: Granite and Quartzite
Best Time: October-April
Getting There
The closest International airport is Agadir (about 2.5 hours away) and cars are easy to rent. You can also arrive by bus from most major cities. It’s best to have a car to access more of the climbing, but it is possible to reach some on foot from the city center (about 2km or more). You can also rent a bike easily to get to the climbing more quickly as rental bikes are readily available..
Bonus Beta
Rent a fully-outfitted adventure camper from our friends at Morocco Campers and set up camp near the Painted Rocks for spectacular views.
Family Friendly?
Absolutely! Tafraout has some great areas for climbing with kids. Check out Kindergarten Crags or even the Bouldering Circuit. You can find more info in our blog Climbing in Morocco: A Family Adventure Guide.
Where to Stay
Rest Day Activities
Ride a bike out to the Painted Rocks or opt for a longer ride to see the nearby oasis of Ait Mansour (about 32km). Summit Jebel L’Kest, the highest mountain in the Anti-Atlas region. Go canyoning in one of the many incredible locations nearby. Check out the souk and get local products like Amalou (a local almond butter with Argan oil) or Idukken (a typical local leather shoe that is quite comfortable).
Tick List
- Napolean’s Hat, Trafalgar Crack, 5.10d (F6b+ or E2 5c)
- Black Wall, Black Wall Crack, 5.10a (F5c or HVS 5b)
Guidebooks
There are several guidebooks for the Tafraout and Jebel L’Kest areas. You can find a full list at Climb Tafraout. The Morocco Anti-Atlas Guidebook is a comprehensive guide covering a wider geographical area, but it has limited info on the area immediately next to Tafraout. For the most detailed info on the climbing in Tafraout proper, the Tafraout Granite guidebook is your best bet. You can purchase them online, or buy them directly from the Jebel Adventures headquarters in Agadir.
JEBEL EL KEST
This area is a great one to couple with a trip to Tafraout because it’s located in the mountains just west. We may be a little biased, but we think this area might just be heaven on earth. It’s certainly our favorite climbing area in all of Morocco. The opportunities for climbing in this area are endless and there are many days it feels you have the whole valley to yourself.
The climbing in this area is home to primarily adventurous trad climbing, which adds to the allure for some, but also makes it inaccessible to less experienced climbers. But wherever your skill level permits, we highly recommend climbing in this area even if you have to hire a guide. Many of our clients have traveled the world and say this is the most beautiful location they have ever been.
Type of Climbing: Adventurous traditional climbing, mostly multi-pitch
Rock Type: Quartzite
Best Time: October-April
Getting There
The closest International airport is Agadir (about 2.5 hours away) and cars are easy to rent. You will need a vehicle to access this climbing area. From Agadir, take the road toward Tafraout, when you arrive at the Kasbah Tizourgane, take the road through Ida Ouganadif to the mountains where you will find all the climbing.
Bonus Beta
Stay at Ksar Rock Guesthouse where you can sip your coffee and pick your line on Lower Eagle or choose from many other classic climbs within walking distance.
Family Friendly?
Our kids love this area, but it’s not a typical kid climbing destination. However Anamer Crags and Tifradin and a few other areas are suitable for families.
Where to Stay
Our favorite is Ksar Rock Guesthouse because you get an authentic experience and you can walk to hundreds of routes from the guesthouse. Kasbah Tizourgane, an old restored kasbah, is also nearby and they offer a unique accommodation.
Rest Day Activities
In this area of the Souss-Massa there are several historic granaries, one of the oldest banking systems in the world. There are several in the region, but the Igoudar Imchguigulin is not far from Ait Baha on the way to the Jebel L’Kest and Tafraout climbing areas.
Tick List
- Pink Lady, 230m VS 4c (F4b, 5.7)
- Inshallah, 180m E2 5b (F6a+, 5.10b)
- The Lion King, HVS 5b (F5b, 5.9)
- Desert Storm
- Solar Event
- Paladin
Guidebooks
There are several guidebooks for the area and you can find a full list at Climb Tafraout. The most recent guidebooks for the area are the 3rd Edition of the Morocco Anti-Atlas Guidebook and Tafraout Granite. You can purchase them online, or buy them directly from the Jebel Adventures headquarters in Agadir.
AKCHOUR
Akchour is another world-class climbing destination located in the Parc National de Talassemtane, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. This area offers stunning views and huge walls of solid limestone climbing. Much has been developed and is well-equipped for sport, multi-pitch and some traditional climbing; but the opportunities for further development are endless. Like Taghia, this area is well-known and frequented by many professional climbers like Hazel Findlay, Alex Honnold and Bronwyn Hodgins seeking after challenging, long routes. Much of the climbing is centered around Cafe Rueda, which is a hub for climbers and the place to get all the info you need.
Type of Climbing: Sport and traditional climbing, some single-pitch and many long multi-pitch routes
Rock Type: Limestone
Best Time: October to April
Getting There
The closest international airport in Tangier which is about 2 hours away. You could also travel from Fez (3.5 hours away) or Rabat (4 hours away). We recommend renting a car.
Family Friendly?
The variety of activities in the region makes this a great family destination.
Where to Stay
You can stay either at the Auberge Rueda or for a more luxurious option check out Ermitage Akchour.
Rest Day Activities
Take a day trip to the “Blue City” Chefchaouen (1.5 hours away) or go for a hike and check out the waterfalls of Akchour.
Guidebooks
The guidebook for this area is no longer in print. You may be able to find topos and other resources at Cafe Rueda.
AGADIR
Where the Atlas Mountains meet the ocean, there are some new climbing areas that are still being developed just 30 minutes outside of Agadir and Taghazout. This makes access to rock climbing easy when you are enjoying a surf holiday in Morocco. Most of the climbing is bolted, but there are some trad routes as well.
Type of Climbing: Sport climbing and some trad, single and multi-pitch
Rock Type: Conglomerate & Limestone
Best Time: Year-round
Getting There
Agadir has an international airport with many flights from Europe and the UK. You will need a car to access the climbing, or you can book a day trip with us and transport is included.
Bonus Beta
Your swimsuit isn’t just for the beach! Some of the climbing areas also have beautiful natural pools to dive in for refreshing swim post climb.
Family Friendly?
Yes, great areas for children!
More Info
For more info on these areas, please contact us directly. We are still in the process of developing these areas. You might also consider booking a Day Climbing Trip with us from Agadir or Taghazout.
OUKAIMEDEN
Just 2 hours from Marrakech, this high alpine valley in the High Atlas Mountains is easily accessible for a day trip, but also a beautiful place to stay for a weekend away. It’s ideal in the summer when the temperatures are sweltering in Marrakech. It can be accessed most of the year, however there can be snow in the winter months. This is primarily a bouldering destination, but there are a couple of bolted crags for sport climbing.
Type of Climbing: Mostly bouldering, a little bit of sport climbing
Rock Type: Sandstone
Best Time: March-November
Getting There
You can take transport from Marrakech, but it’s easiest to access with a car.
Bonus Beta
Consider renting bouldering mats through Imiksimik from the CAF (Club Alpine Français) Refuge.
Family Friendly?
Yes, there are great bouldering circuits for children and some easier sport climbing that is accessible to families.
Where to Stay
The Club Alpine Français Chalet is a comfortable place to stay with many rooms, so it’s wonderful for big groups. You can walk to most of the bouldering from the CAF Chalet
Guidebooks
You can purchase the Oukaimeden Bouldering Guidebook for the area through Rakkup. If you’re interested in sport climbing in the area, you can book a Custom Day Trip with us.
OURIKA VALLEY
The Ourika Valley stretches from the small souk town of Agarb up to the waterfalls of Setti Fatma. This area is the closest to reach from Marrakech. While it’s certainly nothing to travel to Morocco for, it’s an easy day trip from the Red City. The main crag and a smaller kids crag are just next to each other, about 40m apart.
Type of Climbing: Sport climbing
Rock Type: Not-so-solid sandstone conglomerate
Best Time: November-April
Getting There
Rent a car and drive 1hr and 15min from Marrakech, or opt for more adventure and take a bus or taxi to the souk town of Agarb, then try to jump in one of the passing transport vehicles.
Family Friendly?
There are some things that kids can climb, but the terrain is a little iffy with smaller children and there are places that you’d have to keep a closer eye on them.
Guidebooks
There is no guidebook for this area, so if you are interested to check it out, you can book a Custom Day Trip with us (although we might advise you visit a higher quality crag).
GAGOU + AIN BELMUSK
In the unassuming, rolling hills near Settat you will find these two small gorges that seem to emerge heroically from the landscape almost by surprise. Gagou is home to about 50 sport routes and a few old trad ascents. This area is located conveniently between Marrakech and Casablanca and easily accessible from both cities (about 1.5 hours away from both). It’s probably the most frequented crag by the growing Moroccan climbing community. Almost all the climbing faces northwest and gets shade all day in the winter, and is in the sun most of the afternoon in the summer and fall.
Ain Belmusk is located on the road into Gagou and also home to some good single-pitch sport climbing. Both of the areas are suitable for a range of climbers, from beginners to more advanced. Gagou has a couple more difficult routes with the hardest going up to 7b+.
Type of Climbing: Sport climbing
Rock Type: Quartzite
Best Time: Almost all the climbing faces northwest and gets all day shade in the winter, and afternoons in the sun in the summer and fall.
Getting There
Halfway between Casablanca and Marrakech, access requires renting a car or booking a Custom Day Trip includes transportation.
Bonus Beta
Falcons have been known to nest here from March through July and it is recommended to avoid routes with obvious falcon activity.
Family Friendly?
Absolutely. This might be one of the most kid-friendly crags in the region with plenty of climbing for beginners and lots of places to play and explore.
Tick List
- Attente Matinale, 35m 5c
- Escalade Club de l’Is ere, 35m 5c+
- Good Shepherd, 28m 7a+
- Andrea, 25m 7b+
Guidebooks
You can find the Ain Belmusk Guide on Rakkup. There is a PDF of the topo for Gagou, to receive it you can contact us directly.
OTHER AREAS
The other climbing areas listed below are spread out across the country, but little information is available online or in print. Contact us for more details and we can connect you with an informed local or give you what resources we have available (if any).
- Ben Slimane
- Beni Mellal (Moudj)
- Amellago
- Cap Spartel
- Fes
- Imsfrane Cathedral
- Merzouga
- Berkane