Imlil is the gateway to Toubkal and the starting point for most hikes in the High Atlas. The village is only 65 kilometres from Marrakech, but there is no train or direct bus, and the last part of the road climbs into the mountains. Shared grand taxi, private taxi or a transfer with a driver: here is how to get to Imlil, how long it really takes, and how to handle your luggage once you are there.
The road from Marrakech to Imlil
Leaving Marrakech to the south, the road crosses the Haouz plain to Tahannaout, then enters the Moulay Brahim gorges, a defile of red rock. It comes out at Asni, a large farming town about 45 kilometres from the city, known for its Saturday souk. From Asni, a 17-kilometre mountain road climbs the Ait Mizane valley, between walnut trees and earthen villages, to Imlil, at about 1,750 metres.
Without stops, allow an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half. The road is paved all the way to the village; it is winding towards the end, but presents no particular difficulty.
Option 1: the shared grand taxi
This is the budget traveller’s choice.
- How it works: a grand taxi from Marrakech to Asni, from the Bab Er-Rob grand taxi station south of the medina, then a second grand taxi from Asni to Imlil.
- The system: grands taxis leave when every seat is taken. You may wait five minutes or an hour, especially for the Asni – Imlil leg on days other than Saturday.
- The real journey time: with the trip to the station and the waiting, allow two to three hours.
- The limits: little room for luggage, not every seat has a belt, and arriving late in the day is uncertain.
You can also hire a whole grand taxi by paying for every seat: it is faster, but the price is negotiated and the comfort is still that of a shared taxi.
Option 2: the private transfer
The driver picks you up at your hotel, your riad or straight from the airport, and drops you in Imlil with no change and no waiting.
- Journey time: an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half from Marrakech, about the same from the airport.
- Price: fixed and per vehicle, whatever the number of passengers, from €45 for one to three travellers to €80 for a minibus of up to sixteen.
- Luggage: rucksacks, suitcases and poles travel easily, and the driver will wait if you want to pick something up in Asni.
This is the option we recommend for arriving on the day of a flight, for families and for groups setting off on a trek.
| Shared grand taxi | Private taxi | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes | 1, in Asni | None | None |
| Real journey time | 2 to 3 h | 1 h 30 to 2 h | 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 |
| Luggage | Limited | Limited | No reasonable limit |
| From the airport | No | Rarely | Yes |
| Price | The lowest | Negotiated | Fixed, per vehicle |
Once in Imlil: luggage and the last stretch
The road ends in the village. Many gîtes and guesthouses are higher up, in the hamlets of Aremd or Tamatert, or perched on the slope like the Kasbah du Toubkal. The last stretch is on foot, 10 to 45 minutes depending on the address, and your luggage goes up by mule. The guesthouse usually arranges the muleteer: let them know your arrival time.
If you are climbing Toubkal
Imlil is the starting point for the Toubkal ascent, the highest summit in North Africa. The climb must be done with an approved mountain guide, whom you can book in advance or find at the village guides’ office. Our article on climbing Toubkal in two days covers fitness, seasons and logistics. For shorter walks from the village, see our guide to hiking in Imlil.
Imlil after the 2023 earthquake
The valley was hit hard by the September 2023 earthquake. The road reopened quickly, rebuilding is under way, and most guesthouses and guides are welcoming travellers again. If an address is still closed, your driver will tell you before you set off.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking. In summer it is much cooler than Marrakech, and Imlil makes an excellent escape. In winter snow can fall on the village: the road usually stays open, but we leave earlier and check conditions in the morning. If you want snow for skiing rather than hiking, look towards Oukaimeden instead.
Combining the drive with Asni or Ouirgane
The road passes through Asni: if you arrive on a Saturday, a stop at the souk is worthwhile. And twenty minutes away, the Ouirgane valley makes a lovely stop on the way back. Our article on the Ouirgane valley and Asni describes the day. For Ourika, the other big valley nearby, the road is different: allow about an hour to Setti Fatma.
Booking
Our private transfer from Marrakech to Ourika or Imlil takes you to Imlil, Asni, Ouirgane or the Ourika Valley from your hotel, your riad or Marrakech airport, with a return on the date of your choice. If you are only coming for the day, the Imlil and High Atlas day trip includes transport, a guided walk and lunch with a local family.
