Marrakech to Atlas Mountains: Tedli Summit Hike & Berber Lunch

Summary

Atlas day hike from Marrakech with Tedli summit views and Berber villages

You’ll trek from Marrakech into real Atlas Mountain life—past Berber villages and walnut groves—with a local guide leading you up Tedli summit for big valley views. Expect fresh mountain air, homemade tajine for lunch, and plenty of small moments with locals along the trail. If you want more than just a quick photo stop, this day sticks with you long after your boots are clean.

What’s the experience like?

"You sure you want the real hike?" our guide Youssef grinned at us in Imlil, boots already muddy. I nodded, maybe too fast. The air smelled like woodsmoke and wet earth—someone was baking bread nearby, or maybe that was wishful thinking. We started out past stone houses and kids waving from doorways, the kind of morning where you’re not sure if it’ll rain or just stay cool forever. I kept stopping to look back at Marrakech fading behind us, then forward at the Atlas Mountains—Tedli summit somewhere way up there.

We wound through walnut groves, the ground soft underfoot. At Tamatert village, an old man offered us tea (minty and strong enough to wake anyone). Youssef pointed out Jbel Toubkal off in the distance—he said most tourists only do short walks here, but this Tedli hike is for people who actually want to sweat a little. It’s about five hours round-trip, so yeah, you feel it in your legs. The climb got steeper after lunch (bean soup and flatbread eaten on a rock with a view that honestly made me forget my tired feet for a bit). Clouds drifted close enough to touch.

At the summit—2,500 meters up—the wind hit colder than I expected. We could see all these tiny Berber villages scattered below, smoke curling up from their rooftops. It was quiet except for someone’s laughter echoing across the rocks (might’ve been mine). I tried saying “thank you” in Tamazight; Youssef laughed and corrected me gently. The descent felt different—lighter somehow—and by the time we got back to Imlil my shoes were dusted white but my head felt clear. Still think about that view sometimes when city noise gets too much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Atlas Mountains Tedli Summit Hike

• Pickup from Marrakech hotel
• Drive to Imlil town
• Start trek from Imlil
• Pass Ait Souka and Tamatert villages
• Walk through almond and walnut groves
• Enjoy views of Jbel Toubkal
• Reach Tedli Atlas summit
• Lunch at viewpoint
• Descend back to Imlil
• Explore Imlil town
• Drive back to Marrakech

Top questions

How long is the Tedli Summit hike from Marrakech?

The guided trek itself takes around five hours, plus travel time between Marrakech and Imlil.

Is hotel pickup included for this Atlas Mountains day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup from Marrakech is included in your booking.

What food is provided during the hike?

You’ll get bean soup with bread and tea during lunch, plus local tajine, salad, fruit, and more soup back in Imlil.

Do I need to be very fit for this hike?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness since it’s a real mountain trek with some steep parts.

Will we visit any Berber villages on this hike?

Yes, you’ll pass through Ait Souka and Tamatert villages along the route.

Is this different from typical Atlas day trips?

Yes—unlike short walks offered elsewhere, this is a full circle hike reaching Tedli summit at 2,500m.

Are guides local to the area?

Yes—all guides are locals familiar with both the trail and Berber culture.

What should I bring for this trek?

Wear sturdy shoes and bring layers—the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Marrakech by air-conditioned vehicle, a guided five-hour trek through Atlas Mountain trails past Berber hamlets and walnut groves up to Tedli summit at 2,500 meters, plus homemade bean soup with bread and tea en route—and after your descent back to Imlil village you’ll sit down to local tajine with salad and fruit before heading home.