Toubkal Best Time to Climb and Winter: Snow, Heat, Crampons

Toubkal best time: two good windows, a hot summer, and a winter with crampons

Toubkal can be climbed all year, but not on the same mountain. From May to October it is a scree walk with heat in the valley and frost at the summit; from November to April a snow climb on which every guide demands crampons and ice axe. The packages on Viator run year-round at the same price – what changes is the gear you rent and the hour you get up.

One mountain, two seasons

The High Atlas lies at 31 degrees north – as far south as Cairo, but 4,000 m high. That makes a climate that is Mediterranean-dry in the valley and alpine at the summit. In summer almost no rain falls, the plain of Marrakech glows, and the walk up to the refuge is a question of timing: leave Aroumd at eleven and you walk in the sun. At the summit it is cold even then, and at sunrise the temperature hovers around freezing, with wind over the saddle.

From November to April precipitation falls as snow, usually from 2,500 to 3,000 m upwards. The refuge is then snowed in, the south cirque a snow slope, the ridge to the summit iced. The guides still go, but with crampons and ice axe, and they decide in the morning whether it is on. Toubkal Experience and Morocco Mountain Guides write it into their description (“two days in crampons holding an ice axe for security, November to April”); Toubkal Guide, Omar, Biking in Morocco and Atlas Mountain Trekking expressly exclude the rental from the price. Imlil Treks, an operator outside our selection, puts it at EUR 10 per person and arranges it via the guide – that is the guide figure we use for all.

Month by month

Months	On the mountain	In the valley	Assessment
December – February	deep snow, crampons, storm days, −15 °C at the summit	cold, Imlil often snowy	winter climb for experienced walkers with a good guide; summit not guaranteed
March – April	snow in the south cirque, crampons usually needed, longer days	almond blossom, mild	good with snow experience; Easter crowded
May – early June	remnants of snow up high, otherwise dry, cool	green, 20–25 °C	best time: conditions and temperatures
Mid June – August	dry, dusty, 0 °C at sunrise	30 °C, Marrakech 40	works, with a night start; refuge full
September – October	dry, clear, first frosts, snow possible from late October	warm, then mild	second window; quieter than spring
November	first snow, crampons back on the agenda	cool, possibly wet	transition; think about gear

Assessments from operator descriptions and climate, not a weather forecast. Snow line and storm days vary from year to year.

Winter: what changes in the programme

The itinerary stays the same, but three things are added. Gear: crampons and ice axe from the rental shops in Imlil, fitted to your own boots – stiff mountain boots are needed, trainers will not do. Plus a sleeping bag for the refuge, where blankets are not enough at minus five. Timing: departure later than in summer, often only at dawn, because snow cannot be walked safely in the dark. Decision: in storm or fresh snow the guide stays down, and the package includes no alternative date. If you come in winter, plan a buffer day in Marrakech.

The reward: an empty refuge, a white cirque, a summit view to the desert in cold, clear air – and a mountain that feels like a real 4,000 m peak.

Summer: heat in the valley, night start on the mountain

In July and August the operators move the start forward: Plan to Morocco wakes at two, Morocco Tours Services at four, Toubkal Experience has breakfast at half past four. The reason is not the sunrise but the descent – if you are at the refuge at ten, you walk the 1,470 m to Imlil in the midday sun. Two litres of water per day is the minimum; Sidi Chamharouch and the refuge sell bottles, but only Marocco Trekking and Toubkal Experience include water in the price. The refuge is full in summer and at weekends, the dormitory loud. Toubkal Hiking with tents and eight guests is then the quieter choice.

Questions about timing

Can I go in winter as a beginner?

With a guide, rented crampons and good fitness: yes, in stable weather. It remains a snow climb with fall terrain in the south cirque. If you have never worn crampons, tell the guide – he shows you at the bottom, not in the cirque. If in doubt, prefer May or October.

Does it rain?

Rarely and briefly, mostly in spring and autumn as afternoon thunderstorms. A light rain jacket is enough; in winter precipitation falls as snow.

Is Ramadan a problem?

No, the tours run. Guides and muleteers fast during the day; if you take that into account (no ostentatious drinking, accept the pace), there are no difficulties. The dates move forward eleven days each year.

Are prices different in winter?

Not on Viator – all twelve products have a price list without seasons. On top come the EUR 10 rental for crampons and ice axe and, where not included, the sleeping bag.

Sources and check status

Show 5 sources

www.viator.com/tours/Marrakech/2-day-mount-toubkal-trek-private-trek/d – Toubkal Experience, 2 days private: inclusions, tiers 1–9, crampons Nov–Apr (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
www.viator.com/tours/Marrakech/Toubkal-trek-2-days/d5408-45314P10 – Toubkal Guide, 2 days: inclusions, exclusions, tiers 2/5/10 (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
www.viator.com/tours/Marrakech/Hiking-in-Atlas-mountains-in-Morocco/d5 – Omar Adventures, 2 days: inclusions, winter exclusions (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
www.viator.com/tours/Marrakech/Imlil-Toubkal-Hiking-From-Marrakesh-2-d – Imlil Treks Toubkal: crampon rental EUR 10 per person in winter (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
www.refugedutoubkal.com/ – Refuge du Toubkal: location 3,207 m, dormitories, meals (accessed 25 September 2026)