Original Source

Louise Pyne- Features Editor of Women’s Fitness magazine

Louise Pyne is the Features Editor of Women’s Fitness magazine. She spends her weekends exploring the great outdoors and loves everything from yoga and Pilates to cycling, running and trekking. She’s currently in training for the 2011 Women’s Fitness Challenges which include treks, trail runs and aquathons taking place all over the UK. 

Exploring the Atlas Mountains

As a self-confessed sun junkie, any excuse to pack my bags and head to sunnier climes is a much-welcomed break from the nippy temperatures and relentless rain which is characteristic of Old Blighty. So when scouring the internet for a short-haul destination that offered sun-drenched days in the middle of February, Marrakech seemed like the perfect option. Less than three and a half hours from the UK, I soon discovered that there’s much more to this mystical city than snake charmers and a myriad of souks.

 

Looming in the background of the hustle and bustle lie the awe-inspiring Atlas Mountains. Stretching across the entire breadth of the country, the Atlas Mountains divides the fertile terrain of the northern Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines with the shimmering golden dunes of the southern Sahara desert, the result of which has become somewhat of a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you want to explore the region by mountain bike, 4-wheel drive, camel or by foot there’s an option for everyone, both young and old. Being the intrepid trekker that I am, I laced up my walking shoes and prepared for an exciting adventure. With just one day in the mountains, I wanted to explore as much as possible and get a real feel for the traditional Berber lifestyle. So, armed with my trusty backpack, my partner Ozy and knowledgeable guide Mohamed, we embarked on a journey across steep arid valleys, craggy peaks and stunning plains, with the inky blue sky and beaming sunshine providing a picture-perfect backdrop.

Starting in the small village of Imli, situated at the food of Mount Toubkal, (which I soon discovered is the second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro), we made our red-faced way up and down soaring peaks, soaking up the breathtaking views on the way. When we reached the pretty village of Armed, which stands at a whopping 1,930m above sea level we stopped for a quick 15-minute pit-stop at a local farmer’s house. We quickly caught our breath as we sipped on sweetly-fragranced mint tea, gazing at the impressive 360 degree views surrounding us. Next it was back onto our feet for some dangerously steep climbs – providing what soon became a seriously good lower body workout as sweat poured off our faces into the void beneath. An hour later we breathed a sigh of relief as we had finally made it, (albeit frantically huffing and puffing) to Mohamed’s family house, perched high above in the tiny hamlet of Ait Souka. We were warmly welcomed for a traditional Berber-style lunch of tasty cous cous and lamb tagine, to fill our rumbling stomachs and dwindling energy levels. After a truly well-deserved meal, we made our way through the final part of the trek, one hour downhill returning back to our starting point before jumping into our Jeep and reflecting on the day’s events. What an experience!

For more info: www.trekkinginmorocco.com