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3,555 m · Extended Toubkal Circuit
Tizi Likemt Pass Traverse
A serious High Atlas ridge crossing linking the Aït Mizane valley to Lac d’Ifni — the best reason to extend your Toubkal circuit beyond the standard two-day summit.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 15 October 2024 Last updated 18 May 2026
Tizi Likemt is the pass that separates the capable hiker from the summit tourist. At 3,555 metres it sits lower than Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m), but crossing it demands more navigation skill, more exposure to remote terrain, and considerably more respect for the mountain than the well-worn path up from the Toubkal refuge. Almost no standalone guide covers it — which is part of why experienced trekkers seek it out.
The pass forms the western arm of the extended Toubkal circuit, looping out from Imlil through the seasonal shepherd camp at Azib Tamsoult (2,826 m), over the col, and down to Morocco’s largest natural mountain lake, Lac d’Ifni. From there, trekkers traditionally traverse to the Toubkal refuge for a summit attempt before descending to Imlil on day four or five. The result is a true loop — nothing repeated, no road walking — through the finest high-altitude landscape in North Africa.
This guide covers the route in detail, what the terrain actually looks like on the ground, what to carry, and the realistic logistics of doing it safely — whether you go self-guided or with a local mountain guide from Imlil.
Pass altitude
3,555 m
Full circuit
4–5 days
Total distance
~55 km loop
Base
Imlil village
The Route, Stage by Stage
Tizi Likemt is best done as part of a four-day circuit starting and finishing in Imlil. Stage distances are indicative; actual time depends on fitness, conditions, and how long you linger at Lac d’Ifni.
| Stage | Time | Elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Imlil / Aroumd → Azib Tamsoult | 4–5 hrs | +950 m | Mule track climbs steadily through the Aït Mizane valley past juniper scrub. Azib Tamsoult (2,826 m) is a seasonal shepherd camp with a basic refuge. Water from stream below camp — treat before drinking. |
Azib Tamsoult → Tizi Likemt (summit) | 2.5–3 hrs | +729 m | The crux of the traverse. The path steepens significantly above the azib, crossing loose scree and a short boulder field before the 3,555 m col. In winter and early spring an ice axe and crampons are non-negotiable; in summer the scramble is straightforward but exposed. |
Tizi Likemt → Lac d'Ifni | 2–3 hrs | −700 m | The south-west descent is steep and rocky for the first 40 minutes, then eases into a broad hanging valley. Lac d'Ifni (2,295 m) — Morocco's largest natural mountain lake — sits at the valley floor. Wild camping is possible on the flat ground above the north shore. |
Lac d'Ifni → Sidi Chamharouch / Imlil | 6–7 hrs | +650 m / −1,300 m | A long day returning via the Toubkal refuge trail. Many trekkers split this into two days with a night at Toubkal refuge (3,207 m) and a Toubkal summit attempt in the early morning before descending to Imlil. |
Above Azib Tamsoult — the upper bowl turns to loose scree before the col.
Why Likemt, Not Just Toubkal?
Most visitors to the Imlil area climb Toubkal and come back down the same valley. That is a perfectly worthwhile trip — but it is not a traverse. The Tizi Likemt route gives you something qualitatively different: you cross from one drainage system into another, which means the landscape changes completely on the other side of the pass.
From Azib Tamsoult looking up at the col, the mountain feels genuinely serious. The path — if you can call it that — picks a line through boulder fields and scree on a 35-degree slope before levelling at the narrow col. On the far side, the view opens suddenly west over a broad hanging valley dropping to the blue disc of Lac d’Ifni, and beyond it, the ridges of the Anti-Atlas fading into the Souss plain. It is one of the great panoramic moments in Moroccan trekking.
Lac d’Ifni itself justifies the detour. Most trekkers are so focused on Toubkal that they skip it entirely, but the lake sits at 2,295 m in a natural amphitheatre, its surface reflecting whatever light is in the sky. Wild camping above the north shore — or staying at the simple gîte nearby — gives you a night with almost no other trekkers and a dawn light show that the Toubkal refuge crowds miss completely.
What to Carry
The Likemt traverse is not a day hike. The gear list below covers the essentials that make the difference between a safe crossing and a dangerous one.
Trekking poles
The scree descent from Tizi Likemt punishes knees; poles are not optional for most people.
Ice axe + crampons (Oct–May)
The upper approaches to the pass hold hard snow into late spring. Check conditions with Imlil guides before you go.
Layers + windproof shell
Summit temperatures regularly drop below 5°C even in July; sudden cloud brings wind chill fast.
Water filter or tablets
Streams are your water source for most of this route. Carry 2 L capacity minimum between fills.
Navigation (GPS + paper map)
The ridge above Azib Tamsoult is poorly cairned in mist. Download the area on Maps.me or CalTopo.
Sleeping bag rated to −5°C
Even in August, Azib Tamsoult and Lac d'Ifni nights hit near-freezing.
Winter and spring conditions
From November through to late April, the bowl above Azib Tamsoult and the upper south-facing slope of the pass often hold consolidated snow and ice. The descent to Lac d’Ifni becomes a serious mountaineering proposition without crampons and an ice axe. Check conditions with Imlil guides before setting out, and do not underestimate how quickly high-pressure weather turns in the Atlas. July and August are the safest window for an independent crossing; October is borderline.
Getting to Imlil and Practical Logistics
Imlil is 64 km south of Marrakech along the S501 road through Asni. A grand taxi from Marrakech’s Bab Rob taxi rank costs around 150–200 MAD per person (indicative) and takes about 90 minutes, dropping in Asni where a transfer taxi continues to Imlil. Private transfers from Marrakech are faster and more comfortable — around 400–600 MAD one way (indicative) for the vehicle.
Mule support from Imlil costs roughly 200–300 MAD per mule per day (indicative) and is worth seriously considering for a multi-day circuit — mules carry your heavy pack while you walk light. Gîtes in Imlil and at the Toubkal refuge can be pre-booked; the Azib Tamsoult refuge is basic (mattresses and blankets, no hot water) and typically costs around 80–120 MAD per person (indicative) when the shepherd is in residence.
Food resupply options above Imlil are limited to whatever the gîtes offer. Carry all snacks, emergency food, and your full water purification kit. Mobile signal disappears above Aroumd and does not return until you descend back into the main Aït Mizane valley.
Working with a private guide-led service means logistics — mule booking, refuge reservation, emergency protocols and weather checks — are handled before you leave Marrakech. If you are unfamiliar with high-mountain navigation, this is the practical choice as well as the safest one.
Tizi Likemt FAQs
What is the Tizi Likemt pass on the Toubkal circuit?
Tizi Likemt is a 3,555-metre high-altitude col on the western rim of the Toubkal massif, linking the Aït Mizane valley (Imlil side) with the Lac d'Ifni basin to the south-west. It forms one of the key passes on the extended Toubkal circuit — a longer loop that avoids backtracking by crossing different passes on the way in and out. Unlike the standard two-day Toubkal summit trip, the Likemt traverse adds a full extra day and significant ridge exposure.
How difficult is the Tizi Likemt traverse?
The Tizi Likemt traverse is a serious mountain undertaking graded PD (peu difficile / slightly difficult) by alpinism standards in summer, moving up to AD (assez difficile) when snow is present. The ascent from Azib Tamsoult includes steep loose scree and a short boulder scramble to the col. The descent to Lac d'Ifni is relentlessly steep for the first kilometre. Good trail fitness and confidence on rough mountain terrain are required — this is not a gentle day hike, and it sits well above typical Ourika Valley or Imlil village walks.
What altitude is Tizi Likemt?
The pass sits at approximately 3,555 metres (11,664 ft) above sea level, making it one of the higher crossings in the western High Atlas after the Toubkal summit itself (4,167 m). At that altitude, altitude sickness is a real risk for anyone who has not spent at least one night above 2,500 m before attempting the crossing. The standard acclimatisation approach is to sleep at Azib Tamsoult or the Toubkal refuge before crossing, rather than pushing the pass on day one from Imlil.
How many days is the full Toubkal circuit including Tizi Likemt?
Most trekkers complete the extended circuit — Imlil → Azib Tamsoult → Tizi Likemt → Lac d'Ifni → Toubkal refuge → Toubkal summit → Imlil — in four to five days. A four-day schedule is possible for fit walkers; five days gives time to linger at Lac d'Ifni, attempt the Toubkal summit from the refuge, and descend comfortably. Hiring a local mountain guide from Imlil adds meaningful safety and navigation benefit, especially above the treeline and on the pass itself.
What gear do you need for the Tizi Likemt route?
In summer (June–September): solid trekking boots, poles, a sleeping bag rated to at least −5°C, wind shell, sunscreen, and a reliable 2-litre water system with purification. From October to May: add crampons and an ice axe — the upper bowl above Azib Tamsoult and the south side of the pass frequently hold firm snow and ice. A detailed GPS track and paper map are strongly advised; there are no waymarks on the upper ridge and visibility can drop to near zero without warning when clouds roll over the crest.
Can you combine Tizi Likemt with the Toubkal summit?
Yes — and for most people this is the ideal itinerary. A typical four-day sequence: Day 1, Imlil to Azib Tamsoult; Day 2, cross Tizi Likemt and descend to Lac d'Ifni; Day 3, traverse from Lac d'Ifni to Toubkal refuge (3,207 m); Day 4, summit Toubkal at dawn and descend to Imlil by mid-afternoon. This completes a true loop — no road sections, no repeated valley — and rewards you with both the finest ridge crossing in the western Atlas and the North Africa high point.
Do you need a guide for the Tizi Likemt traverse?
Legally, you do not need a licensed guide to hike in the High Atlas. Practically, a local mountain guide from Imlil is strongly recommended for the Likemt route — not because the terrain is technically extreme, but because route-finding above Azib Tamsoult in cloud or early-season snow conditions is where parties go wrong. Guides from Imlil know the current state of the pass and can arrange mule support, refuge bookings, and emergency contact. Private guided treks with porters are the most comfortable and safest way to complete the full circuit.
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