The High Atlas Begins Here.
From the stone paths of the village to the wild ridges above,
this is where your story begins.
Located in the Tassaout Valley, Dar Megdaz is the ideal base for exploring one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the High Atlas. From short walks to full-day treks and multi-day journeys, the trails here connect a network of villages, rivers, and ridgelines that few travelers ever reach. With Mohamed as your guide, you’ll experience the region through the eyes of someone who calls it home.
Exploring Megdaz
A village shaped by stone, season, and story.
At first glance, Megdaz is quiet — red earth homes stacked along the hillside, smoke curling from clay chimneys, the call of a rooster echoing through the valley. But spend a little time here, and you start to see the rhythm beneath the surface.
Walk the narrow paths between houses, where carved wooden doors tell stories older than memory. Watch bread being baked in earth ovens. Sit with Mohamed’s family for tea and learn what it means to live in sync with the land.
This is where exploration begins — not with a trailhead, but with presence. From here, paths branch out in every direction: to waterfalls, ridgelines, neighboring villages, and moments that stay with you long after you leave.
A Village with Deep Roots
Megdaz is believed to be over 800 years old, and is often cited as one of the best-preserved Amazigh (Berber) villages in Morocco. Built entirely from red clay, stone, and wood sourced from the surrounding valleys, its architecture reflects generations of adaptation to the High Atlas climate. For centuries, Megdaz served as a seasonal home for transhumant herders and farmers, who migrated with their flocks between valley and mountain. The village once sat along key trade and travel routes that connected remote communities — making it not only a place of shelter, but a quiet crossroads of Amazigh culture, storytelling, and exchange.
What You Might Discover:
Trekking the High Atlas, Guided by Experience
In Megdaz, trails are guided by tradition and memory, kept alive by generations of Amazigh families who have walked these routes for centuries. Mohamed leads treks informed by deep cultural knowledge, sharing paths originally created by shepherds, farmers, and traders who depended on the landscape for their livelihood.
Explore quiet valleys scented with wild rosemary, climb ridge trails offering expansive views of the High Atlas, or journey deeper into the mountains, connecting remote villages on routes rarely visited by outsiders. Along each trail, you’ll encounter daily village life, ancient agricultural terraces, seasonal grazing lands, and scenic river crossings.
Each hike reveals a new aspect of life in the mountains: the movements of shepherds tending their flocks, farmers harvesting crops, and villagers gathering around tea. Mohamed enhances each journey by sharing stories about local customs, histories, and landmarks, offering travelers insight into the authentic rhythm of Amazigh culture.
Choose Your Trek:
Valley Walks & Village Visits:
Wander gently along winding paths through terraced fields and shaded orchards, surrounded by the sounds and scents of daily village life. Meet local families tending gardens, baking fresh bread in traditional earthen ovens, or gathering to share stories over tea. These easy-going journeys offer immersive cultural experiences, perfect for those who prefer a relaxed pace and personal encounters over physical challenge.
Scenic Ridge Climbs:
Journey upward to spectacular ridgelines offering expansive views across the vast landscapes of the High Atlas. Each trail leads through diverse terrain—pine forests, open slopes dotted with wildflowers, and rocky outcrops providing vantage points over secluded valleys. Reward your moderate physical effort with unforgettable panoramas, fresh mountain air, and the feeling of accomplishment that only comes from exploring paths less traveled.
Multi-Day Mountain Adventures:
Immerse yourself fully in the rhythm of mountain life on extended treks connecting remote Amazigh villages. Travel historic routes traditionally used by shepherds, traders, and migrating families. Stay overnight in rustic village guesthouses or beneath clear mountain skies, enjoying traditional meals by campfire. Each day brings new encounters and landscapes, revealing the authentic character of the High Atlas region few travelers ever experience.
Cultural & Historical Trails:
Explore the High Atlas through the lens of Amazigh tradition. Follow trails used for generations during seasonal migrations, passing ancient granaries, historic village centers, and sites of traditional festivals. With Mohamed guiding you, gain unique insights into agricultural practices, local celebrations, and historical events preserved through oral storytelling—offering a deeper understanding of the people whose lives are deeply intertwined with the land.
Waterfall & River Hikes:
Discover hidden corners of natural beauty along trails leading to secluded waterfalls and sparkling river pools. Ideal during warmer months, these routes take you through lush valleys, shaded groves, and gently cascading streams. Take time to pause, refresh, and enjoy serene moments swimming in clear waters, picnicking beside gentle cascades, and feeling rejuvenated by the calm, natural rhythm of these picturesque trails.
Stargazing & Sunrise Ridgeline Camps:
Experience unforgettable nights under pristine skies, far above the village lights. Trek to high-altitude campsites where Mohamed guides you through the constellations and Amazigh stories connected to them. Gather around campfires, savor traditional warm meals, and wake up to a breathtaking sunrise illuminating peaks and valleys in golden hues—moments reserved for those who venture upward.
With Mohamed guiding your journey, each trek becomes more than a walk through the mountains. You gain local insight into the land, its history, and the people who have shaped it. From navigating unmarked paths to sharing stories over tea, Mohamed ensures every step is both purposeful and personal—rooted in care, knowledge, and a deep connection to the region he calls home
The Lost Valley Route
A full-day journey through the hidden heart of the High Atlas
Few travelers ever reach the valleys beyond Megdaz — and even fewer walk them with someone who knows the land by heart. The Lost Valley Route is a full-day trek that winds through remote Amazigh villages, terraced fields, and along the Tassaout River: a quiet artery that has sustained mountain life for centuries.
Led by Mohamed, the route follows traditional paths still used by shepherds and farmers during seasonal migration. You’ll pass through Afoulou and other highland communities, where mud-brick homes blend into the slopes and life moves with the weather. Along the way, there are chances to stop for tea, share stories, and witness a way of life that remains largely untouched by tourism.
Depending on the season, the trek may include grazing flocks, harvest preparations, or even community celebrations like weddings or music shared around a fire.
Highlights
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Hike beside the Tassaout River through one of the Atlas’s most secluded valleys
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Visit Afoulou, a summer village traditionally used for grazing and harvest
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Walk through lesser-known settlements with time for tea and conversation
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Cross terraced farmlands and learn about the seasonal rhythms of Amazigh agriculture
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Option to return to Megdaz or overnight in a nearby village guesthouse
Trek Details
- Distance: ~17.5 kmElevation Gain: ~612 m
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Duration: Full day (~7–8 hours)
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Trail Type: Out-and-back or loop depending on route
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Accommodation: Return to Megdaz or overnight in village (seasonal)
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Best Seasons: March–June, October
“This is one of my favorite treks to guide. Every time I walk it, I see something different. The mountains change with the season, and the people do too.”
— Mohamed
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