Exploring Morocco - Walking Destinations You Can't Miss

If you want to visit a land rife with culture and natural beauty, you've found it in Morocco. Walking through its ancient cities and trekking through the sands like the traders of old instils a sense of romance, awe and wonder for the ancient peoples. If you want to enjoy the country as they did so many years ago, consider these fascinating routes.

The Moorish Trail

The Moors spread their culture far and wide, even to Spain and Italy to the west of Morocco. Walking the same trail as the Moors did must start from the revered city of Marrakech, then on to the modern capital of Rabat. Both cities offer a glimpse of Arab life and culture; they are rife with monuments and landmarks that spark the imagination of anyone with even the slightest love for history. Your path should also take you to Southern Spain, visiting Ronda, Granada, Cordoba and, finally, Madrid. This leg of the journey will expose you to the marriage of Arab and Gothic styles that began in Morocco. Walking through the various museums, gardens, roadways and medieval palaces will allow you to absorb all this at a leisurely pace.

The Berber Trail

The Ethnic Berbers have their own distinctive cultural flavour, which is quite apparent in the tracts of land they have lived in and cultivated over the years. Marrakech is once again the starting point of this particular leg of the trip. Wandering the souks and Djemaa el Fna Square will warm you up to the journey, followed by a southern route leading to the aptly named Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs. This canyon is lined with the ancient ruins of Kasbah citadel-cities - former beacons of life in an otherwise arid desert - and serves as the perfect backdrop to your walk. Meandering through various oases and palmeries leads you to the Eg Chebbi dunes. These awesome sand mountains epitomize the rugged nomads that inhabit these lands, and provide the perfect backdrop for your return to Marrakech.

The Trail of the Canaries

Want to enjoy the pleasant island settings in and around Morocco? Walking through the Canary, Azores and Madeira Islands may just be the thing. Your journey should start from on the island of Terceira in Azores - a combination of grassland, woodland and semi-desert climates all combine in one beautiful package. The next leg of your journey may involve Madeira, where you'll get to explore the quaint villages and ancient levada aqueducts unique to the island. The final leg may bring you to the Canary Islands, where you can walk leisurely through the winding paths and breathtaking ridges of Mount Teide. You'll also pass through the Moroccan cities of Cadiz and Tangier along the way and a local guide can help you fully explore all the sites.

Keep these three destinations in mind and you'll be able to fully appreciate what is offered in the regions around this spectacular country. Travelling by foot is the best way to live and breathe the natural beauty and cultural significance of this harsh yet deeply spiritual land.

Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on a holiday to Morocco, walking the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 140 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.