Ouanoukrim is the second-highest massif in Morocco, with its twin summits of Timzguida (4,089m) and Ras n'Ouanoukrim (4,083m) sitting roughly 5km southwest of Toubkal. Unlike Toubkal, which attracts a steady stream of trekkers, Ouanoukrim is rarely crowded. The approach from the Toubkal refuges is straightforward and the views back toward Toubkal from the summit are arguably better than from Toubkal itself.
The massif is part of a logical loop that experienced trekkers combine with the standard Toubkal ascent: summit Toubkal on day two, traverse to Ouanoukrim's peaks, and descend back to the refuge for a second night before returning to Imlil. The terrain between the two massifs involves some scrambling on loose rock and basic navigation — clear in good weather, potentially tricky if cloud comes in.
For those who find Toubkal's popularity off-putting, Ouanoukrim offers a comparable summit experience in relative solitude. The surrounding valleys show the High Atlas at its most austere: wide glacial bowls with streams running through them in summer, snow-covered and completely silent in winter.