Silent Hiking & Wild Camping in Morocco | Atlas Mountains

I spent the first part of my time hiking and wild camping in the south of Morroco exploring the Tafraout Valley, in the heart of the Anti-Atlas mountain range. Morocco has a fantastic and diverse wilderness where you can really feel ‘off the grid’ if you travel to the right areas. The town of Tafraout is a well-known ‘base-camp’ for climbers, runners and walkers hiking in the Anti-Atlas mountains. The Atlas Mountains are actually more northeast in Morocco. The hike starts at Marac Telecom in Tafraout and past a couple of carpet sellers on the outskirts of town. I picked up the trail through the village of Tazga and passed the Ancient Berber House which has a fantastic museum, and relies purely on donations. The day after I visited and the outside temperature was between 30-35 degrees but the thick mud and stone internal walls inside were ice cold. Down the valley was some ancient rock art with a ‘mouflon’ or sheep colloquially known as the ‘Tezekkas Gazelle’. I headed over a ridge and down into the Blue Rocks Valley with the first glimpses of the ‘Painted Rocks’ or Les Roches Peints - also known as the Blue rocks. They are truly bizarre but a real feature on the landscape. Apparently in 1984 a a Belgian Artist decided to coat some boulders with 18 tennis of paint with the help of the local first service - its a bit of a ‘Marmite’ Feature for people - some folk love them, some see them as sacrilege and an act of pure vandalism. …. Once through the Valley I headed along the Air Mansour road and up a long valley through to Ayerd. It was actually fairly slow going on account of the heat and evening crept up on me. I decided to camp up on the Ridgeline that continues though to Adrar Mqorn, a stunning spot with a view of the valley and the changing climactic conditions of the night. I camped under an overcast sky and the wind crept up overnight. I was really lucky to warm myself with a fire into the night, and ensured it was dealt with properly and extinguished. Sometimes a good fire can warm the soul especially when you’re on your own and far from home and those you love. My Real Turmat meal certainly kept me warm. I was hoping for some opportunities for Astrophotography overnight but the sky wasn’t perfect, but got a couple of Timelapse’s nevertheless. Coming back the next day through the painted rocks the conditions were perfect. I have included a link below to the route on AllTrails if anyone would like to have a go at it. Join me on an awe-inspiring journey through Morocco’s natural wonders.. From the rolling hills of the Atlas Mountains to the vast desert landscapes, this video showcases the country’s stunning natural beauty like never before. You’ll experience the majestic landscapes and rich culture of Morocco in a whole new way. Don’t miss this incredible visual adventure! The film is silent and without commentary, purely for inspiration and relaxing for all who view it. Please enjoy. 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Tazga 04:21 Blue Rock Valley 08:44 Approaching Ayerd 12:15 Campspot 17:43 Fire 19:53 Setting off 24:03 Coffee Stop 25:56 The Painted Rocks 28:56 Tafraout 29:43 Commentary and Debrief 36:22 The Route Map