Groundhog Day today, back in the bus for an early start into the High Atlas Mountains. We took a back road as the main route had construction delays so we enjoyed a very winding back road through a narrow gorge with steep, rocky cliffs and a village around every curve. Still some lived in troglodyte cave homes….

There were magnificent views of the mineral-rich pre-desert country before crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2260m. The howling wind was frigid so I refused to exit the bus and only took my pictures a few minutes later at our coffee stop.

For an hour after lunch we traveled on a one lane road (with 2-way traffic) lined with blooming cherry trees and barren walnut trees to the mountain village of Imlil, the adventure center of the High Atlas Mountains.

Imlil is the closest town from Marrakesh to access Toubkal, the tallest peak in North Africa, and the villagers make the most of it with outfitter shops, cafes, inns, and adventure sports: zip line, mountain biking, trekking, peak bagging, etc. Our gîte, or “homestay” was in the village above Imlil and we had to hike 1.5h up to it.

After a Welcome of mint tea and popcorn several of us went on another little 2.5 mile hike further up the mountain to check out the views:

The gîte was our trip’s “local experience”: four people to a room, a cozy communal meal, and luckily a roaring fire as it got down to the 30’s during the night.