{"id":16307,"date":"2024-10-23T17:01:25","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T15:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/?p=16307"},"modified":"2025-01-20T12:52:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T11:52:36","slug":"trekking-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/en\/trekking-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"The best treks and climbs in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trekking is not usually one of the main reasons to travel to the African continent and as a tourist destination, it seems inevitable not to end up thinking about safaris, deserts and pyramids. However, the reality is that in a continent so vast and so unknown to most people, there are countless routes for mountain lovers. A whole world of wilderness to discover. These are some of the the best treks and climbs in Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1) Toubkal; 2) Simien Mountains; 3) Danakil Depression; 4) Rwenzori; 5) Mount Kenya; 6) Kilimanjaro; 7) Blyde River Canyon; 8) Fish River Canyon; Original image: Bamse<\/a>, CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>via Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ascent of Toubkal (4.167m) \"<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Type of route:<\/strong> ascent. It is generally a round trip, although there are other options. Duration:<\/strong> 2-3 days. Best time:<\/strong> can be done all year round, although it is advisable to avoid the sweltering summer heat and the cold, short days and heavy snow in winter. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ascent of Toubkal.<\/strong> Original photo: Toubkal4167<\/a>, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>via Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

JBbel Toubkal<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jbel Toubkal (4,167m) in Morocco is the highest mountain in the Atlas Mountains and in the whole of North Africa.<\/strong> The Toubkal massif is home to the majority of the four Atlas mountains, 11 out of 14. The other three are in the M'Goun massif. Although the climb to the Toubkal is usually a round trip, the massif has many possibilities for trekking and climbing some of these four-thousanders. A great mountain range just a stone's throw from home, where you can discover some of the best treks and climbs in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ascent of Toubkal<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common starting point is Imlil on the northern slopes, just an hour and a half's drive from Marrakech, which has an international airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The climb usually takes 2 days. The first day you climb from Imlil (1.740m)<\/strong> at Toubkal refuge (3,207m)<\/strong> In about 4 or 5 hours and with all security, you will be offered a mule to carry your backpacks. Depending on the time of year, if it is spring, you will find snow before the refuge. If this is the case, you will need to use ice axes and crampons from the refuge onwards. The ascent and descent from the refuge to the peak can take about 7 hours, to which we will have to add another 3 or 4 hours to Imlil if we do not want to spend another night up there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See more >><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simien Mountains. Trekking and ascent to Ras Dashen (4.553m).<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Type of route:<\/strong> trekking-ascension. Duration:<\/strong> 7 days including an acclimatisation day. Best time:<\/strong> October to May, during the dry season. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simien Mountains.<\/strong> Original photo: Indrik myneur<\/a>, CC BY 2.0<\/a>via Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Simien Mountains:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Simien Mountains<\/strong>The Amhara Mountains, in northern Ethiopia's Amhara region, form one of Africa's major mountain massifs, the fourth highest in altitude. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relief of these mountains is very rugged, with deep gorges for which it is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Africa and steep mountains that exceed 4,000 metres in altitude. The vegetation is surprisingly lush, with several endangered species surviving, including the Walie Goat, the Ethiopian Wolf and the Gelada, a type of baboon that is easy to spot. In addition, throughout the mountains there are numerous inhabited places. Lost villages where time has not passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ras Dejen or Ras Dashen (4,553m)<\/strong> is the highest elevation in Ethiopia and the 10th highest mountain in Africa (the other 9 peaks are concentrated in Kilimanjaro, Kenya and Rwenzori).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trekking in the Simien Mountains and ascent of Ras Dejen \/ Ras Dashen:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trek takes place all the time at high altitude, almost always above 3,000 metres, so it is advisable to take it easy and dedicate a day to acclimatise properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n