Azzaden Valley in the Atlas Mountains

ben on 25th November 2010 | 2 comments |

I recently spent a week trekking in the Atlas Mountains and it was a fantastic time to visit. Whilst the weather back home was beginning to get bitingly cold, just a few hours flight away in Morocco it was still warm and sunny. One of the highlights of the trek, which I'll write about at greater length later, was the Azzaden Valley (also sometimes spelt the Azzanane Valley). Whilst the Ourika Valley grabs most day visitors from Marrakech and the neighbouring Imlil Valley attracts the hordes of trekkers keen to summit Toubkal, Azzaden is the quieter and just as spectacular counterpart. With Autumn setting in, the colours of the Walnut Trees that hug the valley floor were at their most spectacular making for some incredible photography. Enjoy...

The Walnut groves were particularly photogenic, providing a wonderful contrast to the monochrome valleys.

 

Juniper trees dominate the vegetation and I was on the lookout for the most gnarled juniper I could find. There were definitely more gnarly juniper trees, but this had the best view...

 

The berber villages mostly consist of simple earth and stone buildings and narrow winding streets. This shot was taken in Tizi Oussem

 

Again in Tizi Oussem, this was one of the smarter Gites (local guesthouses) the terrace shown has wonderful views over the valley.

 

This shot was taken higher up the Assaden Valley with the gate to a shepherds pen in the foreground.

 

There are several simple mountain refuges in the higher reaches of the Azzaden Valley for trekkers. This is Refugio Azib Tamsoult

 

The valley closes up into a narrow gorge towards it's head. Just visible is the Cascadas d'irhoulidene

 

The aforementioned Cascadas d'irhoulidene resplendent with rainbow

 

The final ascent out of the valley towards the peak of Aguelzim at 3500m was a tortuously steep scree slope with exactly 99 zig-zags. Trust me, I counted every one....

 

The pay-off, the view from close to the peak of Aguelzim was wonderful and arguably as good as anything from the peak of Toubkal

Our treks that include the Azzaden Valley

 

Atlas Mountains - Short Valley Tours (Imlil, Azzaden and Imnane Valleys) From £200pp
On these three day guided Atlas Mountains Valleys tours you’ll hike along winding mule tracks, cross high passes and overnight in traditional Berber Villages. These treks are available year-round.

Toubkal Circular Route From £206pp
3 Day / 2 Night Circular trek including the Azzaden Valley and ascent of Toubkal.

 

Discover Berber Villages and Climb Toubkal from £258pp
Explore the Atlas Mountains around Marrakech and hike up Mount Toubkal on this four or five-day trek.

 

 

Comments (2)

1. Great pics, great articles. I'd so like to do some trekking in this valley some autumn...or spring.

   Tracy E 28th November 2010

2. You make me feel lazy man! I went many times to Imlil and I've never got to that beautiful valley!
   Next time I will... For sure!
   Thanks for the amazing photos and for the travel idea :)

   Rida 19th July 2011

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