Trekking in Morocco in December: Sunny Anti-Atlas & Winter Desert
Where to trek in Morocco in December: a sunny Anti-Atlas, bright desert days with cold nights, a snowbound High Atlas. Treks run by local agencies — book direct, 0% commission.
- Trips
- 10
- Length
- 4 to 6 days
- Max. altitude
- 2,601 m
Where December works, and where it doesn't
The full guide: when to go- Anti-AtlasIdealReliable sunshine while the High Atlas is under snow. The right answer for a December trek.6 treks this month
- SaharaGoodMild, very bright days but genuinely cold nights. Excellent with the right kit.3 treks this month
- ToubkalPossible with careWinter sets in: a snow-covered summit and biting cold at altitude. Valley trekking is still on.No treks this month
- RifPossible with careA wet winter with short days. The Rif stays lovely if you accept the rain.No treks this month
- M'GounWe would tell you to waitThe massif is locked in winter and access is uncertain. We would point you to the Anti-Atlas or the desert.Come back from June to September
10 treks for December
December, in practice.
In December, the answer for trekking in Morocco lies in the south. The Anti-Atlas has reliable sunshine while the High Atlas goes under snow: dry trails, stone villages and moderate altitude. The Sahara is very bright by day, but nights there are properly cold.
Toubkal is entering winter: a snow-covered summit and biting cold at altitude, though valley treks are still possible. The M'Goun is best avoided until summer. Days are the shortest of the year, so stages are shorter to reach camp or the guesthouse before dark.
The year-end holidays are a popular time: if you're travelling around Christmas or New Year, contact the agency early. To combine walking with the ocean, see coast and Anti-Atlas; for later in the winter, see January. Nothing fits your dates? Tell us about your trip and a local agency will reply directly.
Asked before every December departure.
What sleeping bag do you need for a desert camp in December?
Nights in the tent can approach 0 °C, so a warm sleeping bag with a comfort rating around 0 °C is a good benchmark. Ask the agency what it provides (tent, mattress, blankets, sleeping bag) and what you need to bring. Add a hat and a warm layer for evenings around the fire.
Can you trek in the High Atlas in December?
Yes, if you stay in the valleys: treks around Imlil and the Berber villages are at altitudes where snow is less common, with cold nights. The Toubkal summit, however, becomes a winter ascent requiring crampons, an ice axe and a guide. The M'Goun is best avoided until summer.
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