Eco-Friendly Hiking and Trekking in Morocco
By Terry Hollowell

Early explorers once counted Morocco's High Atlas Mountains the best in Africa. Today, tourist numbers are up and on the climb (pun intended). Although as trekkers and hikers in one very unique location, we all must be of one environmental mind. This is to say, as more and more people travel to Morocco to trek and hike in the High Atlas Mountains, there must be a ubiquitous consciousness within visitors to minimize eco-, economic-, and cultural-impacts.

Unfortunately, hikers and trekkers to Morocco must take the first step to preserve Morocco's best hiking and trekking destinations, namely those in the High Atlas Mountains surrounding Jbel Toubkal, the Ait Bougmez Valley and M'Goun National park, along with the Sirwa and Jbel Sahro regions.

Morocco travel companies are also responsible, then, for spreading the news so as to minimize negative impact accompanied by unintentional or belligerent defacement of Morocco's natural beauty.

Environmental Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco

1.Minimize group sizes: The smaller the group, the less impact. It may not be wise to hike entirely alone, especially if you're a lone woman (sorry).

2.Minimize supplies: Don't bring more than you need. So much is available on the way, especially up Mt. Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains.

3. Bring water filter devices: With pumps, filters, chemicals and UV rays available, minimize bottled water waste by bringing filtration devices.

4. Remove packaging from products before hitting the trails.

5. Relive those over-used bowels and bladders at least 70 feet (20 m) downhill from campsites and water sources. Dig as deep a hole as possible. If not, cover the waste with leaves, dirt and sticks.

6. Clean up waste along the way: If you see packaging or plastics, pick them up and transport them out of the park. Someone may have unintentionally dropped it.

7. Use biodegradable soaps and shampoos for washing.

8. Stay on the trail and avoid smashing plants or breaking branches.

Economic Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco:

1. Employ local muleteers and guides in the area. If you use a locally based Morocco tour operator, then they know the best way to take advantage of the areas resources.

2. It's nice to camp sometimes. However, staying in local gites, houses or hotels is a great way to give back to the community in which you are moving through.

3. Buy locally. You can make up some nice Trail Mix from Marrakech. Buy dried fruits from the medina and mix with the varieties of nuts and you've got natural, local energy for days on end.

4. Don't pay to little or pay too much. This creates an inflation cycle and dependency. An open display of giving too much could make others in the local community envious.

5. Maintain good relations. Bargaining is part of the culture, everywhere in Morocco.Tips are expected and generally given. Ten percent is the usual courtesy nowadays. A bit more is not considered excessive, especially if you've used guides for days on end.

Cultural Efforts to Minimize Impact in Morocco:

1. Ask before you take photos.

2. Send them the photo once you've gotten home. The mail delivery system works well in Morocco (mostly).

3. Respect holy places. Your path will often cross with those locals visiting holy places. Be sensitive and respectful in the ways you know how.

4. Don't give gifts or money to children.

5. Try not to play doctor. If someone must be helped, then do your best but be forewarned. If you make them worse, you will be the one to blame.

6. Give excess medical supplies to a local in a higher position to distribute things as s/he sees necessary.

7. If they ask about the west, don't make it seem like the paradise it isn't. Be sure to paint a realistic, cross-cultural picture, describing the goods and positives of their and your home.

With these three sets of well-rounded travel hints, your Morocco trekking or hiking adventure will be one of the best trips in your life. The friendly people, interesting customs, and alluring landscape make travel in this part of North Africa as special as anywhere on the planet - so, enjoy!

Feel free to visit our Morocco travel website. We have a Morocco travel guide that is free to the public, along with a variety of regular trip and Morocco trekking excursions. We are Morocco's premier in-country tour operator with 15+ years of combined expertise.

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