Ikkiss

Ikkiss is a small village in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco, in the Rhirhaia valley. It's just over 2000 m above sea level and has a population of about 600 people. There is a small school for the children from the surrounding villages and a local mosque.

Get in

Open back trucks provides a 'bus' service to Ikkiss along the rutted tracks a couple of times a week from Asni and Imlil. The roads however are very prone to damage due to flooding washing them away. Walking to Ikkiss from Imlil is a reasonable alternative. It's about 8-10 km (5-6 miles) from Imlil over a mountain pass (about 4 hours walking non-stop)

The road/track only goes to Imlil over the pass, and not down the main valley (towards Asni). However, footpaths go between all the villages in the valley.

Get around

There is a rough track that goes part way into the village, but it's mainly just a collection of paths. On foot is the only way.

See

The green, cultivated, terraced fields all over the valley are amazing, as are the mountains.

Do

Hiking is the main activity. Either from here, or from Tacheddirt hiking into the mountains is very easy.

Buy, eat and drink

There may be a very small store (someone's house a few things are sold), but it may not be open often, or very permanent.

Sleep

There probably isn't any accommodation here. The nearest Refuge is in Tacheddirt. The Berbers are friendly people though, and if you're in a pickle, will find a bit of floor for you to sleep on (for a price).

Go next

The only road goes south, back towards Imlil. Paths go east to Tacheddirt and west down the valley towards Asni. It is possible to head West, then head over a pass further West (past the one for Imlil). From there a damp river crossing will get you onto the main road between Imlil and Asni, where hitching back to Asni is easy.