High Atlas
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The High Atlas (Arabic الأطلس الكبير, DMG al - Atlas al -Kabeer ) in southern Morocco is the highest mountain chain of the Atlas. To the east close to the Tell Atlas and the Saharan Atlas, belonging mostly to Algeria.
Geography
The High Atlas rises from the west on the Atlantic coast to the east up to the Moroccan- Algerian border, where he still reaches heights of 2500 m. Farther east heights of 2000 m are rarely exceeded. For the Atlantic and south-west to the Souss plain towards it falls off steeply and forms a striking contrast to the coast or the Anti-Atlas. To the north, the direction of Marrakech, it falls less abruptly. It is the east-west running weather divide of Morocco against the Saharan climate influences that are heavily mitigated, especially in summer.
In Morocco, the High Atlas forms the basis for a variety of river systems and thus for large agricultural regions south of the mountain ( Souss- level), but even more north ( Tadla- level).
The highest peak, Mount Toubkal, reaches 4167 m. The second highest mountain, Jbel Ouanoukrim is only 5 km (air line) and reaches 4089 m. About 100 km further east, the elongated M'Goun massif lies with a maximum height of 4071 m. In the highlands of regular snow falls, the remains are well into the spring and winter sports facilities opened (eg in Oukaïmeden ).
Attractions
Detour from the road over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass ( 2260 m) lead to Ait Benhaddou its residential castles made of clay ( Tighremts ) and continue on a track to Tazlaft (Cave memory ) and to Telouet ( El Glaoui Kasbah des ). The remarkable Agadir ( memory castle ) of Igherm n'Ougdal is located directly on the track.
The spectacular, but because of frequent landslides not quite safe road over the Tizi n'Test Pass ( 2093 m) passing through the nearby mountain stream beyond a small place with the Tinmal accessible for tourists Almohad mosque of time (ca. 1153/54 ).
In the northern flank of the High Atlas Mountains (south of Beni Mellal ) are many fertile valleys embedded ( inter alia, the Ourika Valley, the Aït Bougoumez Valley, the Ahansal Valley and the Anergui Valley ). Here some Agadire (see Timit ) and a very traditional way of life of the local Berber tribes have received.
On the transport links and tourist rather undeveloped south side of the spectacular gorge of Dades is (north of Boumalne ) with its pristine residential castles ( Tighremts ) (eg, Aït Arbi, Aït Youl ). Further east, the river cuts through the Todra rock mountains and forms the spectacular scenic gorge of the same name (north of Tinerhir ).
Trekking
In many places on both sides of the mountain range are nearly all year offered by local tour operators hiking and trekking trips where the beauty and originality impress the landscape. Almost throughout the year and the Toubkal ( 4167 m) and the M'Goun ( 4071 m) can be climbed.
Minerals
Under the High Atlas Minerals lovers is known as a locality for rare minerals. In small stalls left and right of the pass roads minerals of all kinds are ( including forgeries ) offered for sale.
Gallery
Gorge of the Todgha / Todra
Pass road in the High Atlas