Training for Mount Toubkal
Hiking in the Atlas Mountains
How to Prepare for North Africa's Highest Mountain
Standing at 4,167 metres (13,671 ft), Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in North Africa and one of the most rewarding trekking challenges in the world. Located in Morocco's spectacular Atlas Mountains, it offers breathtaking scenery, traditional Berber culture and an achievable summit for anyone willing to prepare properly.
Unlike Kilimanjaro, Toubkal is a much shorter expedition, but don't underestimate it. You'll still gain over 2,000 metres of elevation, spend long days hiking and climb to an altitude where the thinner air can be felt.
The good news is that you don't need technical climbing experience, and you certainly don't need to be a professional athlete.
With a sensible training plan and the right mindset, most reasonably fit people can successfully reach the summit.
Is Mount Toubkal Difficult?
For most people, Mount Toubkal is challenging but very achievable. It’s significantly easier than Kilimanjaro, but definitely harder than UK countries highest peaks (Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike, Snowdon).
The difficulty comes from:
Long uphill hiking days
Steep rocky terrain
High altitude
Cold summit temperatures
Walking for several hours at a time
It is not a technical climb.
There are no ropes, ladders or rock climbing required during the normal trekking season.
If you can comfortably spend several hours walking uphill and enjoy being outdoors, you're already well on your way.
How Fit Do I Need to Be?
You don't need marathon fitness.
However, you should aim to comfortably:
Walk for 5–7 hours continuously
Climb several hundred metres of elevation
Recover well enough to hike again the following day
Carry a small daypack throughout the day
Many people who complete Toubkal have never climbed a mountain before.
Preparation simply makes the experience far more enjoyable.
How Long Should I Train?
If you do nothing, we recommend beginning training 8–10 weeks before your expedition.
If you're already active, 4-six weeks is often enough.
If you're starting from a lower fitness level, giving yourself two to three months allows your body to improve gradually without increasing the risk of injury.
8-Week Training Plan
Weeks 1–2: Build Your Fitness
Focus on getting your body used to regular movement.
Aim for:
Three brisk walks each week (45–60 minutes)
One longer weekend walk (90 minutes–2 hours)
Two strength sessions
Daily stretching or mobility work
Don't worry about speed.
Consistency is far more important.
Weeks 3–5: Increase Endurance
Gradually make your hikes longer.
Aim for:
Two weekday walks
One longer weekend hike (3–5 hours)
One hill session
Two gym sessions
If possible, begin carrying a light backpack weighing around 4–6 kg.
Weeks 6–8: Prepare for the Mountain
Your training should now resemble the expedition.
Aim for:
One long hike each weekend (5–7 hours)
One hill session
Two strength workouts
One recovery walk
Try to include rough trails and uneven terrain whenever possible.
Walking on natural ground prepares your ankles, knees and balance much better than pavements.
Cardio Training
Good cardiovascular fitness makes every uphill section feel easier.
Excellent options include:
Hiking
Hill walking
Trail running
StairMaster
Incline treadmill
Cycling
Swimming
Aim for three cardio sessions each week.
You should be working hard enough to raise your heart rate while still being able to hold a conversation.
Hill Training
The single best preparation for Toubkal is walking uphill.
If you have access to hills or mountains, use them.
If you don't, alternatives include:
StairMaster
Multi-storey car parks
Stadium steps
Incline treadmill (10–15%)
The objective isn't speed.
It's getting used to continuous climbing.
Strength Training
Strong legs make steep mountain paths feel much easier.
Focus on compound exercises such as:
Squats
Walking lunges
Bulgarian split squats
Step-ups
Romanian deadlifts
Calf raises
Also include core exercises:
Planks
Side planks
Farmer carries
Dead bugs
A stronger core helps maintain posture while hiking with a backpack over uneven terrain.
Train With Your Backpack
During the expedition, you'll carry a small daypack containing essentials such as:
Water
Snacks
Waterproof clothing
Camera
Personal items
Practice hiking with a backpack weighing around 4–6 kg.
This allows your shoulders, hips and back to adapt before you arrive.
Hiking Boots
One of the most common mistakes is arriving with brand-new boots.
Never do this.
Break your boots in during training.
Complete several long walks wearing the footwear you'll use on the expedition.
Your feet will thank you.
Walking on Uneven Ground
Mountain trails are rarely smooth.
Train on:
Woodland paths
Gravel tracks
Rocky trails
Coastal paths
Hills
This develops balance, ankle strength and confidence over uneven terrain.
Practice Consecutive Days
Although Toubkal is shorter than many mountain expeditions, you'll still be hiking on consecutive days.
One of the best ways to prepare is by walking on both Saturday and Sunday.
For example:
Saturday:
15 km hike
Sunday:
10–15 km hike
This teaches your body to recover overnight before walking again.
Altitude
At 4,167 metres, some people notice the effects of altitude.
Common symptoms may include:
Mild headache
Shortness of breath
Reduced appetite
Fatigue
These are completely normal for many people.
Our itinerary has been designed to help you acclimatise gradually, and our experienced local guides monitor everyone throughout the expedition.
The best way to reduce the effects of altitude is to:
Walk slowly
Drink plenty of water
Eat regularly
Listen to your guides
Avoid rushing
Remember, altitude affects everyone differently.
Being extremely fit does not make you immune.
What If I Don't Live Near Mountains?
Don't worry.
Many of our guests prepare successfully without access to mountains.
A simple weekly gym routine might look like this:
Monday
StairMaster – 30 minutes
Squats
Lunges
Core exercises
Wednesday
Incline treadmill – 45 minutes
Step-ups
Romanian deadlifts
Farmer carries
Friday
StairMaster – 40 minutes
Walking lunges
Calf raises
Planks
Weekend:
Long outdoor walk if possible.
Recovery
Fitness improves while recovering.
Aim to:
Sleep 7–9 hours
Stay hydrated
Eat enough protein
Stretch after longer hikes
Increase training gradually
Avoid trying to cram months of fitness into the final few weeks.
Common Mistakes
Going Too Fast
Many people attack the first uphill section.
Slow down.
A steady pace uses far less energy and makes the entire climb more enjoyable.
Ignoring Strength Training
Strong legs reduce fatigue and improve stability on steep descents.
Don't skip the gym.
Wearing New Boots
Always break in your footwear before arriving in Morocco.
Never Carrying a Backpack
Even a light backpack feels different after several hours.
Train exactly as you'll hike.
Not Drinking Enough
Dehydration makes hiking feel much harder.
Get into the habit of drinking little and often during training.
Mental Preparation
Mountain climbing is as much mental as physical.
There will be moments when the climb feels steep, your legs are tired or the summit still feels a long way away.
Remember why you're there.
Take one step at a time.
Every summit is reached exactly the same way—one foot in front of the other.
Do I Need Hiking Experience?
Not at all.
Many people join our Mount Toubkal expedition having never climbed a mountain before.
Our experienced local guides and Tarzan Expeditions team are there to support you throughout the journey.
As long as you arrive with a reasonable level of fitness and a positive attitude, you'll be surprised what you're capable of achieving.
Final Thoughts
Climbing Mount Toubkal is an adventure you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Watching the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains, standing on the highest point in North Africa and sharing the experience with like-minded adventurers creates memories that last forever.
Prepare consistently, trust your training and enjoy the process.
You'll arrive in Morocco feeling confident, capable and ready for one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Ready to Climb Mount Toubkal?
Whether this is your first mountain or another summit on your adventure list, we'd love to welcome you to Morocco.
View our upcoming Mount Toubkal Expedition and start preparing for an unforgettable journey to the roof of North Africa.