65 km and about 1 h 30 of mountain road: how to get from Marrakech to Imlil in a rental car, where to park and which hikes to do at the foot of Toubkal.
Imlil, at 1,740 m above sea level, is the gateway to the High Atlas: this is where hikes to the Berber villages of the valley and the ascent of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa (4,167 m), begin. Just 65 km from Marrakech, Imlil is easy to reach in a rental car. Here is the road, the parking, the hikes and our tips.
To book your car for this trip, see our car rental on the Ourika road, Marrakech and dining in Marrakech: restaurants, rooftops and car parks by car pages.
Distance and journey time
- Distance: about 65 km from the centre of Marrakech.
- Journey time: about 1 h 30, longer on weekend mornings.
- Road: tarmac all the way to the village, with hairpin bends over the last few kilometres.
The route
- Leave Marrakech to the south via the airport road, then Tahannaout.
- Tahannaout: a small town with a market on Tuesdays; fill up if needed.
- Asni: a very lively Saturday market. The road starts to climb.
- The climb to Imlil: a narrow road winding above the valley. Drive slowly, give a short toot of the horn before blind bends and let minibuses pass.
Parking in Imlil
The village has attended car parks at its entrance. Leave the car there for the day (the fee is paid in cash to the attendant): the village lanes and the trails are not made for cars. Leave nothing visible inside the car.
What to do in Imlil?
- Walk to Aroumd (about 1 h one way): a village perched opposite the peaks, easy and ideal for families.
- Loop through the valley villages: 3 to 4 hours of walking among cultivated terraces, walnut trees and mud-brick houses.
- Lunch with a local family: many guesthouses serve a tagine on their terrace.
- Toubkal: the ascent takes two days, with a night at the refuge. A licensed mountain guide is now required by the authorities to climb to the summit. Imlil's guesthouses can put you in touch with local guides.
When to go?
- Spring and autumn: the best time, with mild temperatures and green valleys.
- Summer: Imlil is a cool escape when Marrakech goes above 40 °C. Set off early.
- Winter: snow is possible from December to March. Bring warm clothes and read our article on driving in the Atlas in winter.
Which car to rent?
In good weather, a Dacia Sandero or a city car is enough. For more comfort on the climb, with luggage or in winter, choose a Dacia Duster, which sits higher and is more stable. Unlimited mileage lets you combine Imlil with the Ourika Valley the next day.
A day's budget
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Economy car rental | from 230 MAD per day |
| Fuel (130 km return) | about 40 to 60 MAD |
| Parking in Imlil | a few tens of dirhams |
| Lunch with a local family | depends on the guesthouse |
Our tips
- Set off early (before 9 am) to enjoy the cool air and avoid the tourist minibuses.
- Get back before dark: the winding descent is trickier at night.
- Bring a jacket: it is 8 to 10 °C cooler than in Marrakech.
- Use engine braking on the way down to spare the brakes.
Find the hour-by-hour programme in our Imlil and Toubkal day trip page, and book your car on our Marrakech car hire page.
Frequently asked questions
About 1 h 30 for 65 km, via Tahannaout and Asni. The last few kilometres are a narrow, winding mountain road.
Yes, all the way to the village. It is narrow with hairpin bends at the end: drive slowly and pass minibuses carefully.
A licensed mountain guide is now required by the authorities for the ascent of Toubkal. Allow two days with a night at the refuge.
An economy car or a city car is enough in good weather. In winter, or with luggage and several passengers, an SUV such as the Dacia Duster is more comfortable.
Compare every offer on our Car rental Marrakech page, or collect your car on landing with our Marrakech airport car rental service.
