Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
Atlas Mountains in October Atlas Mountains in October
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Chris Scott

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Sep 2024
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Atlas Mountains in October
I'm planning a trip to Morocco in October and I'm wondering if it will be possible to cross the Atlas mountains at that time? I'm thinking of riding from Fes to Errachidia, then through Tinghir and Quarzazate to Marrakesh.
Also I currently have Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres on and I'm wondering if I should change them for something more offroad?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Sep 2024
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
October should still be lovely weather, inshallah. Snow doesn't normally come until Jan-Feb and then the main area to be wary of is south of Azrou/Ifrane in the Middle Atlas (which you will pass through south of Fez).

If you do venture off-tarmac, you will likely be on pistes (groomed tracks that are suitable for local cars and vans) and your tyres should be fine.

I would encourage you to get off the main national roads (N designation) as much as possible as see more of the beautiful country. How long do you have in Morocco?
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Sep 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 247
you should find the temperature a bit more berable in the mountains too...:Be: after Fez !
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Sep 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,484
Just be aware that the ongoing torrential rain and flooding has caused a lot of damage. Less well used pistes will be slow getting repaired.

Weather wise it should be perfect for Morocco.

If you're in the Zagora area on the 19th consider coming along to Pizzas on the Piste, great little overlanding event we run for travelers
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Sep 2024
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
I'm afraid this is academic now. My bike was stolen in South London yesterday evening
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Sep 2024
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
Sorry to hear that. Happened to me last year in the same area.

As a consolation, consider renting from loc2roues.com in Marrakech - they have everything from new 390s arriving this week to 1250s
Last edited by Chris Scott; 11 Sep 2024 at 18:17.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Sep 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: BKI, Sabah
Posts: 359
Sorry to hear that.

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Sep 2024
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
Sorry to hear that. Happened to me last year in the same area.

As a consolation, consider renting from loc2roues.com in Marrakech - they have everything from new 390s arriving this week to 1250s

Thanks for this suggestion, I'm giving it some thought. I'm wondering if it would be possible to strap a 30 litre bag on the back of the 1250, 1200 or 800? I guess I'd also need to by a holder for my phone and download a suitable navigation app.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Sep 2024
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
Contact them. I know they have hard luggage for the bigger bikes, or strap on your tail pack.
Buy and load up a local SIM (see SIM sticky on here) for a few quid.
People say maps.me is good; I like GaiaGPS for the pistes (user's tracks, like wikiloc) or of course there's Google for the roads. I'd still expect some backroad diversions down south following the rains.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17 Sep 2024
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
My son-on-law and I hired KTM 790 and 890 Adventures from Loc2roues (BM Attitude) earlier this year. I lent my son-in-law my Enduristan Tornado 51-litre roll bag and he easily secured it with Rok straps. That left me with the enormous Enduristan 82-litre roll bag which I was rather concerned about, but that was also fine.

Be aware that if you encounter high temperatures and/or hot sun (both possible in October), your smartphone will refuse to work until it cools down, so keep it in the shade where possible.

It is possible to download offline maps for Google Maps, Apple Maps and Maps.me so you can navigate without needing a data signal in *really* remote places.

Maps.me uses Openstreetmap which has many pistes marked—a brown dot-dash line on this example, https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/33.35227/-5.14514

I use the same Openstreetmaps on my Garmin satnav which makes things seamless.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
atlas mountains, morocco

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
In praise of Azrou and the Middle Atlas mountains Tim Cullis Morocco 14 22 Nov 2021 10:48
Atlas Mountains in November Teagy Morocco 7 27 Aug 2018 20:50
Arunachal Pradesh - The land of the dawn lit mountains jason9364 Ride Tales 1 27 Jan 2016 21:29
Atlas Mountains and Rafting - Aug/Sept (6 weeks) tomhughes209 Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 9 May 2013 12:25
October 2012 Trip Planning TheWarden Morocco 0 12 Jul 2012 19:46

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:42.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top