Morocco (4,167 m) – Tallest Mountain in North Africa
Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and the tallest peak in North Africa. Toubkal is part of the range that separates the coastal plain of northwest Africa from the Sahara Desert, and in ancient times was one of the landmarks that roughly delineated the western edge of the civilized world.
The area around Toubkal has been inhabited since pre-Roman times, by Berber tribes and others. The peak, which is not particularly difficult to climb, was probably scaled well before the modern era. The first recorded ascent was in 1923. The mountain area is also home to a very old Muslim mosque and shrine.
Mount Toubkal is in a rugged area, with the closest access being five miles away at the village of Imril, approximately fifty miles south of the city of Marrakesh. The mountain is now part of Toubkal National Park, and is a very popular destination for climbing and hiking. A small permanent base camp exists about a third of the way up the mountain for use by those seeking the peak.
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