At the western end of the ancient Greek world there lived a god who carried the sky on his shoulders. His name was Atlas and, although the Greek world may have disappeared, the sky-topping Atlas Mountains remain. The mountains, the highest in North Africa, are as extraordinary today as they were in the time of the Greeks. Soaring peaks loom over lush valleys, beautiful Berber villages sit above seasonal rivers and rich farmland. There remains a hint of a lost world, of Shangri-La about the place and its people.

With Marrakech fast becoming one of our most popular short-break destinations and with low-cost flights direct from the UK, the mountains, just an hour's drive from the city, have never been easier to reach. Nor had there ever been such a range of facilities and activities to choose from. The Atlas Mountains have long been a frontier between the fertile north and the approaches to the Sahara in the south. The mountain Berbers resisted every invasion from the ancient Romans to the 20th century French. But they are now happy to welcome visitors to their mountain world and to share their pride in their culture.

What to do once you get to the mountains? There are two very different ways of going about them. You could go for the fresh air and the hundred and one ways of enjoying it. The Atlas Mountains, and particularly the highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, have long attracted serious climbers. They have now become one of the world's great trekking destinations, where even indolent walkers will find delights among the many mule paths that crisscross the range.

And if you don't fancy walking, but still want to get out and about, you can always ride a mule, a horse or a mountain bike. For the history addict, there is just as much drama in the story of the Berbers and of the trans-Saharan trade. of the Glaoui, the great Pasha of Marrakech, whose feudal rule only ended fifty years ago. With its drama, grandeur, beauty and terror, it sums up the draw of the region.

Alternative approaches

Nature lovers

The High Atlas used to be the preserve of serious climbers, but recreational trekking has become increasingly popular. Guides, mules and all equipment can be found at the main trailhead, a village called Imlil. If you want to plan something in advance contact the Bureau des Guides or multi-lingual star guide Mohamed Aztat ( 00 212 668 76 01 65 www.atlastrekshop.com ). Guide rates start at £17 per group per day.