A little more than one hour away from Marrakech, the Asni Valley is at the foot of some of the highest peaks of the Atlas Mountains. It is a spread of natural unspoilt beauty and purity and offers a haven of peace after the commotion of the red town.
Infinitely different landscapes are passed through to reach this calm region. From the comfort of their vehicle, visitors can imagine the lifestyle of the inhabitants not so long ago. The mule tracks, the douars (shanty-towns) on the hillside, or the shepherds leading their troops are constant reminders of the relativity of time. The arrival in Asni tends to interrupt this train of thought. Indeed, this village is not of any special interest, but it is the place for deciding between continuing straight on towards Marigha, Ouirgane and Tizi n’Test or heading off towards Imlil and the Toubkal Mountain, the highest peak of the Atlas Mountains.
Imlil and the Toubkal Mountain
The charming little mountain village of Imlil is an essential crossing point for all walkers wanting to tackle the 4167m of the Toubkal mountain. Located 64 Km away from Marrakech, it is also the entrance to the superb National Park of Toubkal. Created in 1942 and covering a surface area of 38 000 ha, this park provides the opportunity for wonderful walks. Over time, the plateaus and cliffs alternate with the steep gorges, and the cypress trees give way to junipers in a real explosion of colours and scents.
The attraction drawn by the Toubkal is, however, at the heart of Imlil life. It contributes to the majority of the economic activity of the village and is the cause of several initiatives. Qualified mountain guides or mule owners can be found there to deal with your bivouac equipment and your bag. Experienced people in good physical condition may succeed in climbing the Toubkal Mountain and returning to Imlil in a two-day outing, without any difficulty. The ideal time for doing this is between June and September.
Marigha, simply nature
10 km away from each other, Asni and Marigha provide a striking contrast. Whereas Asni is a small-scale reproduction of the urbanisation of the rural townships, Marigha still reflects the ancestral lifestyle of the region’s inhabitants. Around the small village, there is a continuation of orchards and olive groves, absorbing visitors in the simple and calm lifestyle of country life.
The few tourist infrastructures of the village enable to take advantage more comfortably of this mountain countryside, while varying the activities. There are numerous more or less active possibilities for relaxation, from mountain-biking (bikes can be hired from the Sanglier Qui Fume) to lazing by the Oliveraie de Marigha swimming-pool.
Practical information | ASNI VALLEY
Where to sleep ?
Au Sanglier qui fume - Km 61,5 route de Taroudant - Ouirgane
Tél. : +212 (0) 24 48 57 07
Where to eat ?
L’Oliveraie de Marigha - Route d'Amizmiz (via Asni) - Marigha
Tél : +212 24 48 42 81