Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

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-   -   Figuig to Tantan (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/morocco/figuig-to-tantan-95141)

danny_fitz 1 Jun 2018 14:42

Figuig to Tantan
 
Looking at doing this next year in my faithful Landcruiser. Have already done the Zagora - Merzouga section which I loved so hoping to complete the rest of this cross country piste. Only concern are the sections on the western edge towards Tantan insofar that they seem to lack the 'wow' factor of the eastern sections (i.e. Erg Chebbi etc). I have driven through Tantan before on my way to Mauritania and the town itself is fairly unremarkable and the desert surrounding it again seems to lack the scenic punch. To those in the know, is it worth bothering with the Western sections and perhaps turn north at the town of Tata????


Cheers in advance.

TheWarden 1 Jun 2018 21:07

Which piste are you planning to take? There’s more than 1!

Big problem will be the Military Zone between Foum Zguid and Tata, they just wont let you through.

From Tata there’s not a lot of mapped piste south of the N12 and again it’s close to the border so what’s there is military. There is a piste that’s runs north of the N12 almost all the way from Tata to Assa.

The SW corner of Morocco is every bit as nice as the Merzouga to Zagora route. The area between Assa and Smara (south of TanTan) is fantastic


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Chris Scott 2 Jun 2018 19:23

A great way to finish up would be from Assa down MW6 past Labouriat to the crossroads (KM222). And from there back NW to Mseid on MW7. All easy driving. As Warden says, south of the N12 between Tata and Akka you'll be lucky to get far.

I know what you mean about Western Sahara, it's not the most scenic corner of Morocco but you won't see any one else on the above route.

I know someone who managed to hack across from the western end of MW3 to MW2. You'd reverse that, but as it crosses the Oued Draa I recall it all got a bit 'camel trophy' in places. I think people are running out of good stuff to do in Morocco ;-)

Not stopped in Tan Tan for nearly 20 years so I was quite impressed last year.
It's non-touristy so it's cheap too.

TheWarden 2 Jun 2018 21:21

Personally I think MW6 is one of the best routes, maybe not the first bit Assa to Labouirat but from then on its fantastic.

If you turn north at the cross roads though you do miss the fantastic lake bed before Smara


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Chris Scott 2 Jun 2018 22:12

Quote:

If you turn north at the cross roads though you do miss the fantastic lake bed before Smara
True. An unexpected highlight.

https://adventuremotorcyclinghandboo...17/03/m359.jpg

TheWarden 2 Jun 2018 22:16

Figuig to Tantan
 
If you go further west there’s an even bigger one

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3cea49536.jpg


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tony johnston 4 Jun 2018 10:36

If you do it in the spring the undulating sand steppe between Labourirat and Mseid will be full of nomads with huge flocks and it will be green.Very beautiful and worth spending a couple of days and a night in there. Full of tracks and no need to deflate tyres.

danny_fitz 24 Jul 2018 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Scott (Post 584993)
A great way to finish up would be from Assa down MW6 past Labouriat to the crossroads (KM222). And from there back NW to Mseid on MW7. All easy driving. As Warden says, south of the N12 between Tata and Akka you'll be lucky to get far.

I know what you mean about Western Sahara, it's not the most scenic corner of Morocco but you won't see any one else on the above route.

I know someone who managed to hack across from the western end of MW3 to MW2. You'd reverse that, but as it crosses the Oued Draa I recall it all got a bit 'camel trophy' in places. I think people are running out of good stuff to do in Morocco ;-)

Not stopped in Tan Tan for nearly 20 years so I was quite impressed last year.
It's non-touristy so it's cheap too.


Apologies for not getting back earlier! Thanks for the info, I have been thumbing my way through your Morocco book (signed no less!) trying to put together a route.



Last time I was in Tan Tan I treated myself to a barber (not berber) shop shave where the chap brandishing the cut throat razor sterilised it by covering it with white spirit and setting fire to it.


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