Rewilding in Morocco
Travel Stories
In many ways, the High Atlas in Morocco feels as if little has changed over the centuries. In this mountain range, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in western Morocco to the Algerian border in the east, a traditional existence is lived by the original inhabitants: the Berbers. Far removed from busy Morocco, they have preserved their time-honored culture, language and simple life close to nature. In search of these wild roots of Morocco, we traveled to this region in late April 2023 to participate in this traditional life to mountain.
No sooner said than done, because with an open curiosity, the people of this region welcome you with open arms. Our Morocco outing began with a challenging climbing trip in the mountain village of Oukaimeden with a friendly group of climbers from the Netherlands. A bouldering trip of a different order in an extraordinarily characteristic setting surrounded by countless boulders of red sandstone.
Rock-hard climbing until your body screams, making new Moroccan friends, percolator coffee with snow-capped peaks 360 all around you, back-to-back beautiful sunsets, tagines XL, curious shepherds coming for a chat, the sound of the mosque in the background, donkeys, cats & dogs as support crew … this is bouldering in Morocco!
But a climbing trip in Morocco is so much more than just climbing. Above all, it is an adventure and an introduction to a wonderful welcoming culture. Together with local climbers, we shared life passions and enjoyed nature in the High Atlas far from crowded Marrakech. An ultimate way to learn from each other and create mutual cultural understanding.
After a good week of rock braving, it was about time for part two of the outing in North Africa: the Morocco Wild Roots trip. Accompanied entirely in Berber style by local mountain people, shepherds, their mules and equipped with our own basecamp, we set out to explore the High Atlas. Of course with the primary Berber means of transportation: the buggy. Trekking along trails that locals have been hiking for thousands of years, we climbed the highest peak in North Africa (Jbel Toubkal, 4167m). Along the way, we visited local mountain villages, consumed clean tagines and were treated to impressive nature and extraordinary landscapes.
Houses made of loam that seem to grow out of the rolling countryside, children playing in a river, the local shepherd wandering the main street with his flock in tow … sipping a mint tea taking it all in, it’s hard not to be charmed by this off-the-grid lifestyle.
We will be going to Morocco again next year. All the dirty details are on the website. Shukran bsef to all this year’s partakers. Barakallahu feek! #khallas
