The Moroccan Atlas is a mountain range of exceptional beauty and cultural interest but it is still relatively little visited, a fact which makes the Atlas, to my mind, a far more exciting proposition than the European ranges. Add to that the extraordinary hospitality of the local Berber people, the rich texture of North African life and the exotic allure of Marrakesh and other Moroccan centers, and you will begin to see why a growing number of trekkers are choosing to explore this great range which the ancient Greeks thought to be the home of Atlas. About this book This guidebook is as practically useful and up to date as possible; it has been written with both the experienced and novice trekker in mind. The routes described are challenging but accessible. Regular hikers might find they cover ground more quickly than the route notes suggest but the book has been designed to allow readers to tackle as much or as little as they please at any one time. It also contains detailed information on Marrakesh, an exploration of which is a fascinating part of the Atlas experience, and on all other relevant towns and trailheads. There's practical information on every aspect of planning, arranging and enjoying an Atlas trek--from what to pack to what to say in French, Arabic and Berber. There are also sections on the flora and fauna of the Atlas, including a field guide to bird life and a section on minimum impact trekking to help visitors help locals to maintain the unspoiled state of the Atlas Mountains.

The routes This book can suggest and describe only a fraction of the treks available in the Atlas Mountains, a range which spans some 1200 miles across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. But the routes reported here form a representative and exciting selection which is sure to satisfy newcomers and past visitors alike. Each route offers some distinct or unique draw which qualifies it for inclusion in the guide: the Toubkal area is the highest in the Atlas; M'goun is arguably the most classically beautiful; Sirwa is remote and challenging; and Sahro is the Atlas at its weird and striking best.