One Day
Is Not Enough

Imlil really surprised me by just how hiker-orientated it is. I hadn't quite expected a village so entirely geared around trekking, but it makes complete sense once you arrive as it's the starting point for many of the routes up to Mount Toubkal, Morocco's highest peak. The whole place hums with that sense of purpose. Guides are easy to find in the village, which means you can turn up with a rough idea and leave with a proper plan within the hour.

We completed a short hike from the village out to the waterfalls, and what really surprised me was just how much variation there was in the terrain over such a relatively small distance. One moment we were picking our way along rough, rocky tracks with sweeping views across the valley and into the mountains beyond. Then, almost without warning, the path would wind through walnut groves with wildflowers dotting the meadows below the trees. It felt like several different walks rolled into one, and that variety kept things interesting every step of the way.

For me, the single standout moment was standing in the freezing cold, crystal-clear water at the base of the waterfalls with absolutely no-one else around. We'd set off from a bustling, busy village full of voices and movement, and somehow we'd arrived at a place that was completely silent with nothing except the sound of the water itself. That contrast was striking. It's the kind of stillness you don't plan for.

If I were to do it again, I'd use Imlil as a warm-up rather than a destination in itself and use it as a starting point for pushing further into the mountains. We only had one day, and honestly, I regret not staying longer. The hike to the waterfalls is wonderful, but it left me acutely aware of what was just beyond reach. If you can, build in extra time and attempt the summit of Mount Toubkal. It's one of those things I left behind and haven't quite stopped thinking about.