Bin El Ouidane & Aït Bouguemez
The turquoise waters of Lac Bin El Ouidane and, beyond it, Aït Bouguemez — the "Happy Valley" of terraced fields and Amazigh villages at the foot of the Mgoun massif.
Most first-time visitors to the High Atlas see Toubkal and stop there, which means they miss the range's quieter, arguably more beautiful centre. Lac Bin El Ouidane is the introduction: a reservoir of startling turquoise water held by a dam in the Central Atlas foothills, ringed by cliffs and villages, worth a stop for the colour alone even before you continue further into the mountains.
Beyond it lies Aït Bouguemez, known locally as the "Happy Valley" — a wide, gentle valley of stone villages and terraced barley and walnut fields, held at close to two thousand metres and surrounded by peaks rising toward the Mgoun massif, the second-highest range in the Atlas after Toubkal. It has become a serious trekking base in its own right, with mule paths connecting villages that still run on a rhythm largely unchanged by the roads that eventually reached them. This is Atlas scenery for guests who have already done Toubkal, or who want the mountains without the crowds.
Trek the High Atlas
Walk between villages and passes beneath Mount Toubkal with a mountain guide.
Mule trek to a Berber village
A gentle day into the foothills to share bread and tea with a mountain family.
Lac Bin El Ouidane
A striking turquoise reservoir framed by cliffs — a scenic stop and a base for a growing local watersports scene.
Terraced villages of Aït Bouguemez
Stone Amazigh villages set among terraced fields at altitude — some of the most intact traditional mountain architecture in the Atlas.
Trekking toward the Mgoun
The valley is the standard gateway to the Mgoun massif, with mule and walking routes for day hikes or multi-day treks.
Mule-path village hopping
Ancient paths still link villages across the valley — a gentle way to see traditional Amazigh life up close.
The main trekking season — green terraces, walkable passes, and the lake at its most inviting.
Cooler, with snow still possible on the higher peaks — beautiful, but check trekking conditions at altitude.
Cold and often snowbound at altitude — access can be difficult. Save serious trekking for the warmer months.
How Bin El Ouidane & Aït Bouguemez fit your journey
This pairing is a deliberate detour into the lesser-visited centre of the High Atlas — a natural extension for guests who have already trekked around Toubkal and want different mountains, or a standalone few days from Marrakech focused entirely on the Central Atlas.
He recommends this valley specifically to guests who tell him Toubkal alone was not enough Atlas for them.
Ready to explore Bin El Ouidane & Aït Bouguemez?
Tell Mustapha your dates and he will build Bin El Ouidane & Aït Bouguemez into a journey that is yours alone.