Ultra Trail Atlas Toubkal 105KM / 8000 M D+

Many trail races offer amazing scenery and challenging ascents, others have views where the summits seem to blend with the sky.

At the UTAT you will experience all this and much more, it is a true adventure!

A STUNNING NATURAL SETTING : OUKAÏMEDEN – WHERE THE RACE STARTS

We are at an altitude of 2620m, on the plateau of Oukaïmeden, it’s almost midnight, under a starry sky the competitors, headlamps on, listen to the speakers last words of encouragement
The race is on !

1st Ascent
The first 5 kms of the race, partly on a track (30%) partly on paths (70%) and with 369 of D+ will get you to the first col – Tizi n’Addi at 2920 m (PC1).
1st Descent 5kms & 600 D-
The descent will cross the village of Tacheddirt(PC2).
Just aheaud you there is a col, with the same name, culminating at 3190 m. This is the first of the 6 cols above 3000 m you will climb. Not too technical or steep, a smooth ascent to PC3 Alt 3190 m, KM 16, 1360 D+.
From there a smooth descent will get you to your first Aid Station (Food & Drinks) at Timchi PC4 Alt 1960, KM 24 – at 1 960 m – 1440 D+ & 2120 D-.
Then you will cross a number of picturesque villages before arriving at Takerkourte Aid Station (Drinks) PC5 Alt 1750 m, KM 34,5, 1880m D+ & 2770 m D-
After this you ford the Orika wadi, the lowest point of the race at 1568m.
Here is where your journey into the most magical part of the race starts, 50kms of paths far from the beaten track, into an untouched nature. The ascent towards Tamatert, the next village, is steep and gets you to the 3rd pass on the race : Tizi Tamatert (PC6  Alt 2222 m, KM 41 , 2630m D+ & 3 060m D-)
After a short descent to Azib Assaka, you climb up to the Amenzel col, and onwards to the village with the same name. After a stretch in the bottom of the valley you will get to the foot of the Oumchichka col and

You will find the Supply Point/Refueling (Solid/Liquid) at Boukchoud (CP7 km49 – Alt 2,600m – Cumulative elevation gain 3,380m D+ and 3,350m D-). The ascent to the pass is through a trail drawn across a scree slope. The effort becomes intense, but at the summit, another valley appears with all four cols of this magical passage on the horizon. After the pass, the ascent continues slightly to CP Oumchichka (CP8 km51 – Alt 3,070m – Cumulative elevation gain 3,830m D+ and 3,350m D-).

The upcoming section is only downhill with some slight relaunches, passing through Azibs, a man-made water reservoir, until reaching the river bottom, marking the change of direction for a new valley and a new pass.

The ascent is along the flank of a rocky slope, quickly reaching a new valley with new shepherd shelters, a new tributary, a crossing, a change of bank, and a steady climb to the summit of Tougroudadene Pass (CP9 km60 – Alt 3,264m – Cumulative elevation gain 4,730m D+ and 4,060m D-).

A straightforward and long descent occurs in two stages. First, from the pass to the valley bottom, and second, descending the riverbed until reaching a small magical pass. This pass allows you to discover the famous Azib Likemt, a refueling point (Solid/Liquid), and an advanced medical station for a restorative break (CP10 km68 – Alt 2,564m – Cumulative elevation gain 4,780m D+ and 4,810m D-).

After a break, you must tackle the ascent of Tizi n’Tifourhate (CP11 km72 – Alt 3,144m – Cumulative elevation gain 5,390m D+ and 4,850m D-), followed by a short descent leading to the next CP: Azib Tifni (CP12 km74 – Alt 2,898m – Cumulative elevation gain 5,390m D+ and 5,140m D-): at the foot of a giant, the Adrar N’Tarharate, whose ascent is done in three parts. First you go to Tizi Terhaline PC13 Alt 3313 m, KM 76,6, 5850m D+ & 5140m D-.
After this you get to the highest point of the UTAT : Tichki  Alt 3670 m, KM 78,5, here starts on of the most impressive descents you’ll find on an international trail race, some 11,5 kms and a drop of 2000m. After crossing a col, you get to Tagharate  PC14 Alt 3495 m, KM 79,4, 6250m D+ & 5330m D-.
You are now in the steepest part of this mythical descent that takes you to the PC called “Le Rocher” PC15 Alt 2435 m, KM 84 , 6260m D+ & 6390m D-.
The last part of this long 1600 m descent gets you to the Aremd cirque. After crossing a dry riverbed, you will see the first dwellings, and then a track to PC16 Alt 1940 m, KM 87, 6270m D+ & 6930m D-.
A smooth climb on a track for about 1 km, followed by a set of descending single tracks, a path and you are in Imlil the next Aid Station (Food & Drinks) PC17 Alt 1675 m, KM 90, 6310m D+ & 7160.m D-.
If needed, here you will find medical staff and the possibility to take a short nap.
From here the path follow the river, before a climb up to the second last col at Aguersioual Alt 2044 m, KM95.
A new descent, another valley, a different village. A short climb amongst walnut trees and through the village of Amskere and you are at the second last PC, at the exit of the village PC18 Alt 1885 m, KM 96, 6900m D+ & 7 660m D-.
Then a first uphill on a track, ending on a path that leads you to the beginning of a flat section : the Gliz Plateau.
A complete change of environment : the red earth stands out against the green of the junipers, on a path almost flat. You can see the last PC, a steep climb and some hundreds meters away PC19 Alt 2245 m, KM 101, 7 510.m D+ & 7770m D-. You are almost there, and will soon see Tizi Oukaïmeden, and just behind the arrival and the Atlas Quest base camp!