At the Edge of the High Atlas – Morocco

500 km – 20 days of trekking on a wild variant of the Great Atlas Traverse – 2019

In September 2019, together with my friend Simon Gesberg, we embarked on a wilder variant of the legendary Great Traverse of Morocco’s High Atlas: a 500 km trek off the beaten path, from Midelt to Bou Taghar.

Beyond the beauty of the landscapes, it was the encounters that left the deepest mark on this journey. The Berbers of the mountains, living in small, remote villages, welcomed us with extraordinary generosity and warmth. Their kindness, care, and simplicity profoundly moved me—probably the most hospitable people I have ever met throughout my travels.
This trek led us through a striking diversity of landscapes: narrow canyons and steep rivers, alpine meadows at high altitude, arid plateaus, and desert scenery. It was a total immersion into an authentic and grandiose Morocco, where every step opened a new window onto the richness of the High Atlas.