What Does the Journey Actually Feel Like?

The journey begins in Imlil, a peaceful Berber mountain village perched in the foothills of the high Atlas and a perfect gateway to the Toubkal National Park.  The first day is a steady ascent on foot to the Toubkal Refuge at 3,207m, following mule tracks and over bridges across icy cold rivers, a comfortable introduction to winter terrain, with just enough altitude gain to feel like things are building.

The second day is where the transformation really happens.  Rather than going straight for the main summit, we spend the day acclimatising and learning winter movement skills, safely, unhurried, and with guidance every step of the way.  This pays dividends when it comes to summit day.

This is also the day where we may summit Ras (4,083m) or Timesguida (4,089m), two quieter 4,000m peaks that feel remote and wild, and give you your first real taste of winter mountaineering at high altitude.

It’s a confidence-building day, not a test.  By the time we return to the refuge, you will have already used crampons and an ice axe under instruction and felt what it’s like to move securely on snow before summit day arrives.

Day three is summit day.  We normally set off before dawn, in crisp, still mountain air.  As the light rises, the Atlas range reveals itself in full winter clarity, sometimes with breathtaking Sahara glow to the south.  The final ridge to the summit feels purposeful and exhilarating rather than technical or exposed.

Reaching the top is a moment people remember for years not just for the height, but for the peace.

Day four is a relaxed descent back to Imlil, followed by the return to Marrakech, where a well-earned team mealmarks the perfect end to the journey.

How hard is it to climb Toubkal in winter — really?

If you have a good foundation in UK summer hillwalking, days in Snowdonia, the Lakes or the Highlands, then you already have the right starting point.

You do not need to be a technical climber.

You do not need previous crampon or ice axe experience (We teach that safely during the acclimatisation day.)

What you do need is:

• A reasonable level of hill fitness, able to walk 5–7 hours with rest stops.
• A willingness to learn winter movement skills.
• An attitude that welcomes adventure over convenience.

If that sounds like you, winter Toubkal is one of the finest first 4,000m winter peaks in the world.

Why Go with a Guided Winter Team?

Winter Toubkal is not an extreme technical climb, but it is a serious mountain environment.  Conditions can shift quickly with temperature, wind or overnight freeze, and there’s a real difference between a summer trail and a safe winter line of ascent.

That’s why going with a qualified, winter-experienced guiding team matters.  You’re not just being led, you’re being taught how to move safely and confidently.  That includes crampon and ice axe training, route choice, pacing, decision-making and, just as importantly, knowing when conditions are perfect to push for the summit.

At Monkey Mountaineering, safety and quality always come before summit statistics or speed.  We keep group sizes small, protect local porter welfare, and never treat this as mass tourism.

It’s a proper mountain journey, made accessible, safe and deeply rewarding.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

So, if you’re wondering how hard it is to climb Toubkal in winter compared to summer, the answer is that it’s more demanding, but far more rewarding too.

If winter Toubkal sounds like the right kind of challenge, adventurous, achievable and meaningful, we’d love to help you take the next step.

You can now:

• Explore our Winter Toubkal trip page (full itinerary, what’s included, a kit list etc).
• Read our FAQs on conditions, training and preparation.
• Or simply get in touch, and we’ll give you an honest answer about whether this is the right trip for you.

Your first 4,000m winter summit could be closer than you think.