Toubkal

Declared in 1942 — one of the first national parks on the African mainland — it protects the High Atlas massif and Jebel Toubkal itself (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa and in the whole Arab world. The ascent, technically undemanding in summer and possible without specialist climbing gear, has become a benchmark trekking destination only a few hours from Marrakesh, drawing mountain walkers from around the world after a relatively straightforward summit above 4,000 metres. The Berber villages scattered through the park's valleys, with their traditional stone and adobe architecture, are still lived in and form an integral part of the protected landscape — unlike most of the great African parks, which are given over to wildlife alone.