Salut à tous,
Apparemment je suis pas le premier à poser une question du style... Je vais partir 1 mois au Maroc en décembre 2010, j'aimerais voir le désert et je veux passer la majeur partie de mon temps à faire du trek en totale autonomie (tente, pas de guide). J'ai une bonne expérience des treks et de l'orientation un bon équipement mais c'est une permière pour moi dans le désert. C'est pourquoi j'aimerais des infos précise svp... quel région est la plus propice en décembre ? Laquelle est la plus sauvage ? l'eau est-il vraiment un problème ou au maroc c'est encore facile d'en trouver ? potable? quel est la situation au niveau sécuritaire à la frontière avec l'Algérie ? Ou trouver des cartes topographiques précises du Maroc utilisables en trek ? y'a-t-il des possibilités d'acheter un âne sur place si oui à quel prix? Y'a t-il des endroits où il est interdit de camper (parc national...)
Si vous arrivez à répondre déjà à tout ça ce serait génial. 😉
Si c'est une première pour toi dans le désert, je déconseille très fortement d'être sans guide.
NB : quand est ce que les gens comprendront ENFIN qu'il n'y a pas que le fait d'être agréablement tout seul toute la journée, il y a AUSSI le fait d'être tout seul au cas où ça merde, et dans ce cas là ça tourne à la catastrophe. Et que "ça merde" peut arriver aux meilleurs, donc encore plus facilement à ceux qui n'ont pas d'expérience.
L'eau n'est pas un problème au Maroc, on trouve de l'eau en bouteille dans n'importe quel petit village. L'eau potable est diverse, dépendant des qualités des sources. L'eau dans le désert est un problème et ne se trouve pas facilement. (mais bon c'est une tautologie).
Il n'y a pas de cartes topo précises, le plus précis possible étant le 1/25°°° vendu au compte goutte à l'institut de la cartographie à Rabat, et pas actualisé depuis l'époque où les cartes ont été faites (la plupart dans les années 60-70).
Il est interdit de camper sans l'autorisation des propriétaires des terrains. La plupart des terrains, même "abandonnés" à l'oeil, ont un propriétaire, et peuvent être des champs à traiter avec soin.
La situation sécuritaire à la frontière avec l'Algérie est celle d'un pays en conflit larvé avec son voisin, qui a interdit le passage et qui patrouille très régulièrement. Même pour les locaux, il est très difficile de passer en douce. Je ne recommande pas de trop trainer là bas en solitaire. En revanche, aucun risque de se faire sauter dessus par un commando qui te kidnapperait pour t'enfermer à Tindouf, c'est pas le style de la maison, et ils ont assez de problèmes avec Moustapha Salma pour l'instant. De plus, quand on va nettement au sud, dans la partie appelée "Sahara espagnol", il me semble qu'il y a encore des coins qui ne sont pas totalement déminée (mais d'autres confirmeront ou me contrediront, je ne suis pas certaine).
Après le désert au Maroc, ça recouvre beaucoup de choses, y compris les hauts plateaux désertiques de l'Atlas, et les zones hors oasis de la vallée du Draa. Il est évident que les risques à se balader tout seuls sont nettement moindres dans les vallées oasiennes que dans les grands ergs.
Et perso, j'ajouterais, pour avoir vécu un long trip de trois semaines dans le désert, sans en sortir, que la solitude dans le désert, ça pèse vite. Parce qu'on est réellement seul, on ne rencontre personne, on n'a pas les petites distractions qu'on peut avoir quand on trekke en zone habitée.
😉 salut, tout d'abord, je peux te dire qu'une expérience dans le désert c'est quelque chose de magique, d'extraordinaire mais la vivre avec des touaregs c'est encore plus inoubliable!!!! je te conseille donc les services d'un touareg car lui seul connait les secrets du désert !!!!!!!!!! de plus, cela te permettra de partager le quotiden de ces personnes!!! je trouve dommage de passer à coté de ça.
je te souhaite une expérience magique!
😠Non je ne me suis pas fait arnaquée, j'ai juste fait une erreur de terminologie lors de la réponse!!!! Mes guides n'étaient pas touaregs mais des nomades saharaoui. Cela ne change rien à ma réponse et à force de pinailler sur des détails certains pourraient bien passer à côté des choses les plus importantes...😉 Oubliez les préjugés, faites vos propres expériences et ouvrez-vous à la population locale, qu'elle soit touareg, saharaouie, berbère, ...
bonsoir,
c'est où pour toi le désert au maroc?
c'est quelle autonomie ? bouffe , flotte, distances?
même un âne ça boit, et parfois ça boîte...
ça manque de bases pour te répondre
j'aimerais voir le désert et je veux passer la majeur partie de mon temps à faire du trek en totale autonomie (tente, pas de guide).
c'est faisable mais il faut vraiment savoir ce que l'on fait.
Si tu veux randonner dans le désert il faudra emporter de l'eau avec toi dans une poche à eau souple , savoir parfaitement s'orienter prendre un azimuth...
il y a des puits dans le désert il faut connaitre leur position , donc un GPS c'est un excellent outil.
Attention l'eau qu'on trouve dans les puits a parfois un goût d'eau salée.
Ceci dit je ne conseillerais pas trop le gros risque c'est de se perdre et de se retrouver sans eau...
Le plus important c'est de savoir s'orienter , prendre un azimuth, connaître son temps de marche...
Y'a t-il des endroits où il est interdit de camper (parc national...)
tu peux planter la tente partout au Maroc...
Finalement je vais pas aller au Maroc.
Bonne continuation.
Pourquoi ?
Ce que tu peux faire c'est avec une boussole et des réserves d'eau marcher un peu dans le désert mais évidemment sans s'éloigner des kilomètres à la ronde..
tu peux partir de Ouarzazate et garder la ville en visu , planter la tente à courte distance.
Il y a des tas de ksours autour de Ouarzazate.
Sinon il y a la Vallée du Draa je l'ai fait en solo.
Mais je ne voudrais pas encourager des pratiques risquées si tu t'enfonces dans le désert c'est risqué encore une fois..
attention en hiver les nuits sont froides dans le désert.
quel est la situation au niveau sécuritaire à la frontière avec l'Algérie ?
attention la région est pleine de militaires
Ou trouver des cartes topographiques précises du Maroc utilisables en trek ?
A l'IGN à Paris ou Vieux Campeur il y a en quelques rares
y'a-t-il des possibilités d'acheter un âne sur place si oui à quel prix?
cela doit être possible mais il faut savoir le diriger et le motiver...
et puis si tu vas dans le désert il faut connaitre les puits
Je pars avec mon amie courant le mois de décembre pour trekker environ deux semaines aux alentours de Ouarzazate. Je viens solliciter votre expérience pour…
Je cherche un trek de 5-8 jours dans le Mgoun ou le Thoubkal fin avril début mai. Quelqu'un connait-il un trek où l'on peux dormir chez l'habitant ou dans les…
Voilà avec mon amie, nous partons au maroc du 6 au 13 mai 2008, ne connaissant pas la région de l'atlas nous avons décidé de tenter l'ascension du mont Toubkal…
Nous sommes deux nanas habituées de la marche en Haute Montagne et en autonomie (camp de base de l'Annapurna au Népal, tour du Huayhuash au Pérou...). On a une…
Nous sommes un groupe de 4 adultes (minimum) et souhaitons faire un trek de plusieurs jours (8 jours environ) dans le Haut Atlas en totale autonomie, sans…
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Morocco in August and we’ll start with a stop in Chefchaouen (we’re driving).
My question: can anyone suggest a 5-to-7-day loop hiking route from Chefchaouen in Talassemtane Park, ideally passing by the God’s Bridge? Or a paper guidebook that covers a few options?
We prefer wild camping and guesthouses.
Thanks in advance
Hi there, for those who’ve been recently—is it possible to find other solo travelers in March on the island to share transport or room costs? It doesn’t seem easy to travel on a budget.
If you have any recommendations for simple lodgings or places with dorms, I’d love to hear them.
For those who’ve done multi-day treks while moving around: do you need to bring your own sleeping bag? I’d love to hear about itineraries you’ve done without a guide, just with a map and GPS.
Thanks, and have a great day!
Hi everyone!
We’re planning a 15-day road trip to Scotland this summer, specifically to explore and hike on Lewis and Harris—places we’ve never been before. We’ve visited other islands on previous road trips in Scotland (we usually go in April for a week). This would be our first time in Scotland in the summer and for 15 days. We’re looking at late August to early September.
I’m currently drafting the itinerary. We’d be crossing from Ullapool and were thinking of spending 3 nights on Harris and 4 nights on Lewis.
Does that sound balanced to you? Is it better to keep the same accommodation on Harris and the same on Lewis to explore the area? I’d love to hear about any past experiences you’ve had on these islands.
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m trying to leave for 15 days very soon to São Vicente. I’m either looking to join an agency or figure things out on my own to go hiking on one of these islands or both. From what I’ve seen, it’s not easy to organize with local transport, so it gets expensive. Can I use the services of a small local agency? I’m looking for the simplest way to hike for several days. Also, how do you get from São Vicente to São Nicolau? Thanks in advance and have a great day!
Aichatou
I’ve been wanting to do this for several years, and this year’s the one. Next September, I’ll be trekking in Tusheti (Georgia), from Omalo to Shatili.
Of course, I won’t be renting a vehicle that’d just sit unused. No problem getting to Pshaveli, but from there to Omalo, it’s a dirt road (still the case?)
There must be some form of public transport since there are so many guesthouses, and not all travelers come in a 4x4.
If any of you have been to Omalo, could you confirm that these shared transports exist and how often they run?
we’re planning a trip to Yellowstone and hoping to do a three-day backcountry hike if we get a permit.
if any of you have done this before, could you let me know if it’s possible to find water along the way? And if we can transport it, are we allowed to use a stove?
Hello,
I’ll be in Nepal from March 6th to 29th (we’re flying into Kathmandu via Varanasi and leaving via Delhi).
I’m a bit confused about the regulations requiring a guide.
My wife and I (we’re 63 and 64) aren’t experienced trekkers—we’re more used to walking on terrain with very moderate elevation changes. I’m looking for fairly easy hikes, possibly day trips.
Here are my questions:
- Does the Poon Hill trek from Pokhara require a guide, or is it better to go through a local agency? (I’ve seen a lot of them offering 4-day packages)
- I’d like to do a few multi-day hikes around Jomsom (Kagbeni, Mukitinath, Lupra, Marpha)... Do you need a guide for those, and can you find accommodations easily without booking in advance?
Last question—I’m really hesitant to lug around a sleeping bag or down jacket during our 6 weeks in India. Can you easily find these kinds of items at reasonable prices in Pokhara?
Thanks in advance for any tips you can share!
Yann
I’m a 56-year-old man who’s done several treks in Nepal and elsewhere. Also passionate about photography.
I’m looking for one or more people to form a group for a trek in Nepal. The trek is the Annapurna and Manaslu circuit (24 days), including a stop at Tilicho Lake. I’ve got a great itinerary and the local company seems solid. The price is around $1600.
I’ll be in Nepal from April 5 to May 12, 2026, so the trek would need to happen within those dates.
