There are two refuges at the foot of Toubkal, the original Neltner Refuge and the newer CAF Maroc Toubkal Refuge which is behind and slightly higher.
Whilst trekking from Imlil to the refuge we were passed by a couple who were returning from the Neltner refuge, they strongly recommended that we gave it a miss and stayed in the CAF refuge instead. The night before had been very cold and in addition to their refuge fees they were then charged again to sit close to the fire to keep warm.
We decided to take their advice and wandered into the CAF Maroc Toubkal Refuge (3207m). where we were greated by the guardian.
There are shelves for boots inside the door and there were plenty of hut sandals to change into. On the ground floor is the kitchen, 2 dining areas, and a lounge area with comfy chairs a fire place and a heater - this was a little cold at first but warmed up a treat once the heater was switched on.
Downstairs are the toilets and washroom, there are even hot showers. The toilets were water flushing rather than chemical which may lead to problems with the water freezing in the winter.
Upstairs there are 5 dorms with the usual mattresses on bunks (not on the floor as I had read in a number of other reports) They do not provide blankets so you will have to take your own bedding.
The refuge was clean and well kept, and not at all damp as often described.
We ordered dinner which was served at 19:30 - soup followed by tagine (I requested Vegetarian and was served a seperate dish without the meat) and finished with hot, sweet moroccan mint tea.
They also had a stock of bottled water, pringles, chocolate bars and other essentials which could be purchased for reasonable prices.
Breakfast was fairly basic, bread, jam, cheese triangles and tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
More info can be found at http://www.caf-maroc.com/
We paid around 200DH (approx £12) per person for our stay including dinner, breakfast and bottles of water. They offer discounts for CAF members or those with a reciprocal rights card. I believe that it is more expensive in winter as it costs a lot more to get food and fuel up to the refuge.
I didn't have any problems at the Toubkal refuge, aside from Berbers having a different view about time than Northern Europeans.
Paid DH175 per night for my stay there, with full board. In my opinion, not bad. Also, they didn't charge anything for the fireplace, also, the folks at the Toubkal refuge provide heavy Berber blankets. Aside from having breakfast served at 7.15, after having requested it at 6.30, and the lack of fellow climbers staying at it, the Toubkal refuge was definitely worth staying at.
There are two huts, one run by the Club Alpine Français called the Toubkal Refuge. The other is a larger refuge right next to the first, run by an Imlil resident.
External Links
www.imlil.org has practical information on accommodation in Imlil, routes up Toubkal and how to hire guides.
Mountain Conditions
The best mountain weather web site is: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Oukaimeden This is the only regularly updated site for the High Atlas that I can find.
https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Toubkal/forecasts/4167
This may be a more recent forecast website. I have found it very helpful. Includes forecast for rain, snow, wind and temperatures at a range of altitudes for the mountain.
gingermac - Sep 25, 2007 12:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Toubkal RefugeThere are two refuges at the foot of Toubkal, the original Neltner Refuge and the newer CAF Maroc Toubkal Refuge which is behind and slightly higher.
Whilst trekking from Imlil to the refuge we were passed by a couple who were returning from the Neltner refuge, they strongly recommended that we gave it a miss and stayed in the CAF refuge instead. The night before had been very cold and in addition to their refuge fees they were then charged again to sit close to the fire to keep warm.
We decided to take their advice and wandered into the CAF Maroc Toubkal Refuge (3207m). where we were greated by the guardian.
There are shelves for boots inside the door and there were plenty of hut sandals to change into. On the ground floor is the kitchen, 2 dining areas, and a lounge area with comfy chairs a fire place and a heater - this was a little cold at first but warmed up a treat once the heater was switched on.
Downstairs are the toilets and washroom, there are even hot showers. The toilets were water flushing rather than chemical which may lead to problems with the water freezing in the winter.
Upstairs there are 5 dorms with the usual mattresses on bunks (not on the floor as I had read in a number of other reports) They do not provide blankets so you will have to take your own bedding.
The refuge was clean and well kept, and not at all damp as often described.
We ordered dinner which was served at 19:30 - soup followed by tagine (I requested Vegetarian and was served a seperate dish without the meat) and finished with hot, sweet moroccan mint tea.
They also had a stock of bottled water, pringles, chocolate bars and other essentials which could be purchased for reasonable prices.
Breakfast was fairly basic, bread, jam, cheese triangles and tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
More info can be found at http://www.caf-maroc.com/
We paid around 200DH (approx £12) per person for our stay including dinner, breakfast and bottles of water. They offer discounts for CAF members or those with a reciprocal rights card. I believe that it is more expensive in winter as it costs a lot more to get food and fuel up to the refuge.
Proterra - Nov 25, 2007 8:16 am - Voted 9/10
Re: Toubkal RefugeI didn't have any problems at the Toubkal refuge, aside from Berbers having a different view about time than Northern Europeans.
Paid DH175 per night for my stay there, with full board. In my opinion, not bad. Also, they didn't charge anything for the fireplace, also, the folks at the Toubkal refuge provide heavy Berber blankets. Aside from having breakfast served at 7.15, after having requested it at 6.30, and the lack of fellow climbers staying at it, the Toubkal refuge was definitely worth staying at.
MattHC - Jan 21, 2008 6:16 am - Voted 10/10
Toubkal Additional InformationCamping
There are two huts, one run by the Club Alpine Français called the Toubkal Refuge. The other is a larger refuge right next to the first, run by an Imlil resident.
External Links
www.imlil.org has practical information on accommodation in Imlil, routes up Toubkal and how to hire guides.
Mountain Conditions
The best mountain weather web site is: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Oukaimeden This is the only regularly updated site for the High Atlas that I can find.
dmiki - Mar 25, 2008 3:35 pm - Hasn't voted
another possible weather linkMoroccan High Atlas Mountains & Mount Toubkal News - Weather
http://nomadicmorocco.blogspot.com/search/label/Weather%20%2F%20Snow
chamclimber - Sep 28, 2016 1:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Guide to the regionWe used http://www.skyhookadventure.co.uk/blog/toubkal-and-high-atlas-range and http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=7305 alongside this - both of which were very useful
Neufy - Oct 2, 2020 4:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Toubkal Weatherhttps://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Toubkal/forecasts/4167
This may be a more recent forecast website. I have found it very helpful. Includes forecast for rain, snow, wind and temperatures at a range of altitudes for the mountain.